PETER S. COOK.

    Peter S. Cook, one of the well known business men of Cheyenne, where he is conducting a plumbing and heating establishment, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. March 27, 1859, a son of David and Helen (Smith) Cook. The father was engaged in the insurance business and both he and his wife spent their entire lives in Scotland. The father has passed away but the mother is still living.
    Reared in the land of hills and heather, Peter S. Cook pursued his education in the grammar schools of Scotland and after his textbooks were put aside began learning the plumber's trade in that country. In order to further advance his education he also attended night school, having come to a recognition of the fact that thorough intellectual training; is one of the most vital preparations for life's practical and responsible duties, he left his native country when twenty years of age, crossing the Atlantic to the United States. He landed at Boston, where he remained for three years, and then sought the opportunities of the west, arriving in Denver in 1883. He spent six months in that city and on the 1st of September of the same year came to Cheyenne, where he was employed for a brief period as a journeyman. In 1884, however, he embarked in business on his own account and today is the oldest representative of the plumbing and heating business not only in the city but in the state of Wyoming. From the beginning he has enjoyed substantial success, his trade steadily growing with the increase in the population of Cheyenne. He has worked in his line on the state capitol, on the First National Bank, the Plains Hotel and most of the important business blocks of the city and has also installed the plumbing and heating systems in many of the best residences of Cheyenne.
    In September, 1886, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown and to them have been born five children, Elizabeth, Robert, William, David and Louis, but the last named was killed in a street car accident when twenty-five years of age.
    Mr. Cook has been a stalwart champion of the republican party since becoming a naturalized American citizen and has done effective and active work in its behalf. He has become one of the recognized local leaders in party ranks and for two terms he served as mayor of Cheyenne. It was while Mr. Cook was mayor of Cheyenne that the city water system at a cost of over one million dollars was installed. It is considered one of the best water works in the entire country and no small credit is due Mr. Cook for his efficiency and tireless energy in looking after the progress of the work during the construction period, his many years of experience making his efforts particularly valuable to the city. He also represented his district in the state legislature as a member of the house for one term and also as a member of the senate for one term and has thus been connected with much important constructive legislation looking to the development of the interests of the state and the safeguarding of public affairs. Fraternally he is a very prominent Mason, the honorary thirty-third degree having been conferred upon him, and he has also become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Woodmen of the World and he has membership in the Industrial Club. In a word, he is one of the prominent and influential residents of Cheyenne who for more than a third of a century has been closely identified with the city along the lines of material, political and social progress. All who know him–and he has a wide acquaintance–attest his high personal worth and his progressive citizenship.


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