History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Cook, Lyman J. in former years a member of the well known firm of Dickinson & Cook of Eagle River, Vilas County, but now deceased, was born in North Norwich, Chenango County, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1850. He was reared on a farm, acquired his elementary education in the common schools, afterwards being a pupil for two years in the Union schools and for one term at a select school. Early in life he assisted materially in the support of his parents, working both at farming and lumbering until he was 18 years old, at which time he went into the woods, being employed one winter as axeman in felling the trees. During the following 11 years or so he worked for himeself, at farming in summer and lumbering in winter. In 1879 he moved to Marathon County and built the second frame house in the village of Norrie, where he made his home for nearly four years, conducting a general mercantile and drug business in partnership with George P. DICKINSON, and also serving as postmaster. In the spring of 1883 the firm removed to Eagle River, Vilas County, their goods, chattels and stock being hauled by wagon from Three Lakes, and for a while they carried on business here in a tent, dealing in general merchandise, drugs, etc. Later, after being firmly established in a regular place of business, they also dealt in real estate. When, no long after the arrival of the firm, a post office was established at Eagle River, Mr. COOK was appointed as the first postmaster and held the office until after the election of President CLEVELAND. The firm of Dickinson & Cook grew and prospered; they conducted the largest general store in Eagle River and were largely interested in lumber, buying pine lands quite extensively. Mr. COOK was a staunch Republican and took an active and useful part in public affairs. He served six years as town treasurer, was chairman of the local board one year, and was one of the principal factors in securing the organization of Vilas County, spending almost an entire winter in Madison for that purpose. He was one of the most influential men in the county and commanded in a high degree of respect and esteem of its citizens. His business activities practically ceased about 1895 and he subsequently living a retired life until his death, which took place March 3, 1921. His fraternal society affiliations were with the Masons and Odd Fellows. Mr. COOK was twice married; first to Anna Eliza BUTLER, who died in 1877, leaving two children; Grant D., now an instructor in the Milwaukee Normal School, and Jay B., of Eagle River. In 1883 Mr. COOK married for his second wife, Florence P. THOMPSON, and of this union five children were born: Paul L., now of Eagle River; Lawrence, who died at the age of seven years; and Morton, Mary and Florence, residing in Eagle River.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 449-450, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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