COOK, William Slemmons 'Billy' 1855 - 1948

COOK, HOWARD, SHOULTS, BROWN, EMRY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:27

"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Saturday, April 24, 1948
Page Eight, Column 4

WILLIAM COOK, RETIRED FROM BUSINESS, DIES

William L. "Billy" COOK, 92, retired Fairfield businessman, passed away early this morning at his home, 603 W. Burlington street. His death came at 2:15 a.m.

Mr. COOK, a resident of Fairfield for 84 years, had been in failing health for six months, and seriously ill for the past two months.

Last rites will be held Monday at the Hoskins funeral home at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. S. P. Williamson in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

"Billy" COOK, as his many friends knew him, was born May 18, 1855, near Glasgow in Jefferson county. He was the son of the late John and Mary E. HOWARD COOK. When he was eight years old, the family moved to Fairfield where he had made his home since.

During his early years, Mr. COOK was a contractor and architect, and also operated the Cook's restaurant located across the street from the Rock Island depot on West Broadway.

He was the contractor that erected the old high school building on Briggs street, and also built all the major buildings on the Parsons college campus. The last home he erected before retiring from the business is the Charles Wade home located at 106 W. Washington street.

Mr. COOK operated the restaurant for abut 25 years before he sold the business in 1928. He operated the restaurant in the days when local passenger trains stopped for 20 minutes so passengers could secure their meals.

He was well acquainted with all train crew members of trains operating through Fairfield on the Rock Island line.

Mr. COOK was married in 1879 to Martha Ellen SCHOULTS (sic - SHOULTS), who passed away March 31, 1927. After his wife's death, Mr. COOK made his home with his daughter, Mrs. F. A. BROWN.

He had lived his entire life in Jefferson county, and the past 84 years in Fairfield. He was a member of the Methodist church.

Mr. COOK is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Katherine BROWN, Fairfield; and Mrs. Nellie EMERY (sic - EMRY), Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a grandson, William EMERY (sic), Watertown, South Dakota; and a great grandson, Bill EMERY (sic).

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.017 with wife Martha.