Francisco Burton Cook Obituary
The Clark County Clipper
Ashland, Kansas
April 1946
Francisco Burton Cook
June 4, 1867 - March 29, 1946
March 29th terminated the colorful life of one
of our early Kansas pioneers, Francisco Burton Cook, age 78, who passed away
while making his home with his daughter, Mary Brown, 1107 South Vine Street,
Wichita.
Francisco Burton Cook was 18 years of age when
he first satisfied his yearning for adventure. He made the trek in 1885 from
the birth place, Terre Haute, Indiana to Kansas taking up residence near what
is now Ashland, in Clark County.
Frank, as Cook was best known, further
embellished his life when he participated in the great Cherokee Strip race for
land and riches. His, however was a restless nature and he returned to
establish an early ox team freight line between Ashland and Dodge City.
In 1893, he married Della Donnell and together
in 1904 they took up a homestead claim near Meade Center in Meade County. His
marriage was both successful and happy and was terminated by the death of his
wife.
Mr. Cook is survived by two sisters, Victoria
Crossman, Bluff City, Kansas and Nellie Wright, of Englewood, Kansas. Also
surviving is a brother, Benjamin Cook, of Pritchard, Colorado.
Even in death, his life remains a colorful
memory for Frank did not want for descendants to bear his memory. His
immediate family consists of two daughters, Edith Munsell, Blackwell,
Oklahoma, Mary Brown, Wichita, and a son John Cook of Portland, Oregon. Nine
grandchildren survive; Francis Ingles, Leo, Velma, Evelyn, Gene and Ronald
Munsell, Betty Mae, Dorma Lee and John Paul Cook.
In addition to his family deceased had numerous
friends whom he had made through a long life of association. His fortune was
in his ability to make and hold friends.
Funeral services were held at the Christian
Church at 2:30 P.M., Sunday, March 31, with Rev. A. B. Ingram officiating.
Music was by the men's quartet, H. A. Fickinger, Kenneth Rankin, Curtis
Rhoades and Harland Hughs. Mrs. Walter Broadie was at the piano. Nephews of
the deceased were pallbearers. Interment was in Highland Cemetery. The
Stevenson Funeral service being in charge.
Contributed by Al & Pearl Ellis
June 8, 2006.
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