Lashbrook Laker Cook
The News-Examiner, Thursday, December 11,
1958, page 1
PIONEER CREAMERY MAN DIES
Lashbrook Laker Cook, the third child of Alonzo Howland Cook and Sarah Edith Laker, was born the 5th of September 1886 in Garden City, at Swan Creek, the old Cook homestead. He had three brothers and sisters; George Osmond, Alfonzo Laker and Lorenzo; Edith Sarah, Edna and Lila Annie Eliza; and the following half brothers and sisters; Annie, Alonzo Laker, Alvira, Lawrence, Harriet, Frank, Howland J and Ada.
When he was 11 years of age his mother died. At this early age much responsibility was placed on his young but willing shoulders. He was a good scouter and was very observant, dependable and level headed. He received his early schooling at the Fielding Academy in Paris Idaho, and the Brigham Young Academy at Logan and then worked his way through the Utah State Agricultural College where he distinguished himself in both the class room and the athletic field.
While at college he was captain of the school's basketball team for four consecutive years, played in the band and orchestra for the same number of years, was Buzzer editor, one year, sang in the Glee Club, and was a member of the Agricultural Club. He was one of the charter members of the Phi Kappa Iota. He won the sweater bearing the first four stripes of honor and basketball A given at the USAC.
He graduated with his BS degree in the spring of 1911 and the 12th day of July of the same year he was married in the Logan Temple to Florence Irene Dudley of Logan, a Home Economics graduate of the previous year. They made their home in Provo where Mr. Cook did experimental work for the state. He had been chosen out of the 13 Agricultural graduates of that year by Governor Spry to manage the state dairy herd and farm at the State Mental Hospital. As a result of his testing and feeding of the balanced rations, in less than a year's time he produced more milk from 28 cows that was formerly given by 48. Later they moved to Swan Creek and leased the ranch and built a small creamery.
In 1916 he was called to the Maori Agricultural College in New Zealand, to teach the Maori boys farming and manufacturing . While here he and his wife both filled LDS missions. Mr. Cook was also given an opportunity of going to manage a $40,000 church plantation in Lohea Honolulu, but on account of his health, family conditions and the flu epidemic he felt it wise to return to American. He went back to the ranch where he farmed summers and taught school in the winters. During each of the four years that he was principal in the Garden City grade school he added another grade until the grade school became an accredited high school.
He has always been an active church worker, has served in the bishopric for five years, was chorister of Garden City choir 13 years, was superintendent of Sunday School, teacher, ward clerk, scout leader and basketball coach.
He had five children; Mrs. Donald Rex (Mabel) Mrs. Leslie Darrington (Lila) born two months after they arrived in New Zealand; Rex Dudley, Lashbrook Dudley (killed in action in the European area the 5th of April 1945) and Alton Dudley. It was now that he began to dream and talk cooperation of the dairy farmers wherever he went and after ten years of struggle and opposition of selling his idea to the people, the Bear Lake Valley Dairymen's Cooperative Association was organized on May 4th, 1934.
"The early beginning of this creamery is truly a saga of cooperative determination. Thru personal contacts, Mr. Cook canvassed the dairy men of this area and induced them to join in membership with their neighboring dairy farmers. Here was a real accomplishment; with $15,000 worth of lumber, cement and plenty of hard work all furnished by members, plus a $5000 loan from Omaha Cooperatives, these progressive farmers erected a building estimated to cost $50,000." The Challenge
In 1948 he moved to Vernal Utah, and it was here that his wife died. In 1951 he married Harriet (Hattie) Young and moved to North Logan, built a home and became affiliated with the North Logan Ward. At the present time he was financial clerk, a member of the choir and enjoyed regular attendance at the temple.
He died November 30th at his home. The funeral
services were held in the North Logan ward. Bishop Michaelson conducting.
Interment was in the Garden City Cemetery; the grave was dedicated by Bishop
Donald Rex.