W. W. CROOK, M. D.

    A notable career is that of Dr. W. W. Crook of Cheyenne, who is still activelv engaged in the practice of medicine although he has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His life has been one of great usefulness to his fellowmen through his professional activity and at all times he has kept in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress regarding the practice of medicine and surgery.
    A native of Kentucky, he was born in the little country town called Spillman's Store, in Madison county, on the 20th of October. 1836, and there resided until he reached the age of twelve years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri. They traveled by team and wagon across the country to Puchanan county, Missouri, where they took up their abode upon a farm. Dr. Crook remained at home through the period of his youth, attending school whenever possible and aiding in the development of the old homestead. He was thus early trained to the work of the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1855 he started out in business on his own account and from that time forward has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. In 1857 he taught school at Easton, Kansas, and later he returned to Missouri, taking the teachers' examination at Chillicothe, which he successfully passed, obtaining a first-class certificate. He then taught school in Livingston county, Missouri, but he believed that there was comparatively little future outlook for one in that profession and resolved to turn his attention into other professional directions. He took up the study of medicine privately and in due time qualified for the active practice of medicine and surgery. In 1861 he returned to Kansas and in July of that year established his home and opened an office at Council Grove, Kansas, there entering upon active practice. Several years later, having carefully saved his earnings, he was able to enter the University of Iowa, in which he pursued the four years' course in medicine and thus became splendidly qualified for professional activity. He was graduated from that institution and during the succeeding ten years practiced m Doniphan, Kansas. In 1875 he removed with his family to Wyoming and in 1877 took up his abode in Cheyenne, where he has since made his home. Throughout the intervening period his broad reading and careful study have kept him in touch with the trend of advanced thought and investigation having to do with medical and surgical practice. He has been an earnest and discriminating student, and while he does not hastily discard the old and time-tried methods, he is always ready to take up any new idea which his judgment sanctions as of value in treating disease. He has ever been most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and has seldom been at error in foretelling the outcome of any case. In 1902 he was elected to the presidency of the Laramie County Medical Association. He also belongs to the Wyoming State Medical Association and is an earnest and zealous member of the American Medical Association. Moreover, he is a clear and forcible writer on professional topics and has contributed many interesting and valuable articles to medical magazines and journals.
    On the 25th of May, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Crook and Miss Miranda H. Kirby, of Louisville, Kentucky. As the years have gone on they have become parents of six children, but all have passed away with the exception of the eldest daughter, Fannie, who is the wife of Dr. O. K. Snyder, of Cheyenne.
    In public affairs and political interests Dr. Crook has manifested considerable activity. In 1870 he was elected mayor of Doniphan, Kansas, and gave to the town an excellent administration that took cognizance of its needs and its opportunities. He has not held office since coming to Wyoming, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his professional duties, yet he has stood by all of those interests which are substantial elements in public progress and improvement in city, county and state. He is still actively engaged . in the practice of his profession, although he has now reached the age of eighty-one years. While he has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he nevertheless remains active and alert. Old age need not necessarily suggest idleness nor want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter morally and mentally as the years go on and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Dr. W. W. Crook, of whom it may well be said, in the words of Victor Hugo, that though
"The snows of winter are on his head.
The flowers of spring are in his heart."


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