Service Held For Pioneer
The community was greatly saddened Monday evening when it was learned that an esteemed citizen, N.J. Cook of Lostine, had passed away.
Few pioneers in Wallowa County had a wider circle of friends than did the Cook brothers who came to Wallowa County in the ’70s. Eight of these brothers and one sister lived many years near Lostine. They were: William, Jariel, Milton, John, T.R., Mack, N.J., Frank, one half-brother, Walter, and Mary Hammack. Another sister, Jane, died at Dallas, Ore. The Cook brothers all lived on the Lostine River and engaged in farming until they retired.
Mr. Cook was born in Linn County May 10, 1865, the son of Thomas and Harriet Cook. He was married to Martha Florence Downs, December 25, 1890. To this union were born three sons, Jesse, Chris and James Earl. Jesse and Earl both passed away about the same time from the effects of the measles while very young. Their mother lived only a short time later.
After these losses, N.J. and Son Chris lived with his mother and several brothers until Jan. 9, 1908 when Mr. Cook went to Kansas and in Mound City he married Miss Florence Stine who came back to Wallowa County with her husband.
To them was born one son, Merle, who resides in Enterprise.
The past several years N.J. and wife have resided in Lostine and neither had good health.
Mr. Cook with his father and older brothers came to Wallowa County from Dallas in the fall of 1878, and helped other neighbors throughout the county to erect their log buildings. They were honored and esteemed by many friends.
He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, two sons, Chris of Portland and Merle: two grandchildren, Anita Cook of Portland and Gary Cook of Enterprise, besides many nieces and nephews.
He was laid to rest in the family lot in the Lostine cemetery Wednesday afternoon following a beautiful service in the Community church of Lostine.
Used with permission from: Wallowa County Chieftain, May 6, 1948, Front Page.
Contributed by: Sue Wells
Transcribed by: Gary Jaensch