JOHN WILLIAM COOK, M.D.

 

 

SURNAMES: COOK, BOYKIN, TORBETT, MCCAULEY, COUSINS, KARNS, WALTERS, WILKS, LORING, ROBERTSON, LAMDON, FORT.

 

     John William Cook, M. D., b February 4, 1856 in Homer, Louisiana, d November 4, 1924 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried there in Calvary Cemetery - was a son of Captain John Cook, a veteran of the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-1848, and of the Confederate States Army during the Civil War of 1861- 1865; and his wife, Penelope R. (Boykin) Cook. Although educated to be a lawyer, Captain Cook taught school for forty-one years, and never practiced law.

     John William Cook married August 10, 1882 at The Grove, Texas to Sarah Ellen Elizabeth Torbett (called "Ella"), b February 3, 1866, d December 9, 1955 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - a daughter of John Cornelius and Mary Elizabeth (McCauley) Torbett, who were also buried in Calvary Cemetery.

     John William Cook studied medicine in Atlanta, Georgia - receiving his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1891. The couple settled that same year in Eagle Springs, Texas, to begin his medical practice; but in 1894, Dr. Cook developed sciatic rheumatism, heard about the new hot mineral water in Marlin, Texas, and went there for a course in the baths. He was so impressed with the results that he immediately moved his family to Marlin, relocated his medical practice with an office on the east corner of the Oil Mill lot, rented a bath house which had been converted from an old mill owned by George Cousins, and began a practice which became very lucrative. He was the first Marlin physician who recommended the hot mineral water for treatment and curing of diseases. In 1897, he was joined by a brother-in-law, Dr. John Walter Torbett, who was followed by many other members of the Torbett family who settled in Marlin.

     In partnership with Dr. John Walter Torbett, Dr. Cook built the Bethesda - a two-story building, furnished with bath tubs on the first floor, furnished rooms with kitchens and dining room on the second floor, and a piano provided to help entertain the guests. Patients of Dr. Cook came from such places as Canada, South America, Mexico, and the Philippine Islands. Dr. Cook and Dr. Torbett dissolved their partnership in the Bethesda Bath House, and Dr. Cook built a three-story brick building, known as the Imperial Hotel, and in 1914 added three additional stories - making it the tallest building at that time in Marlin, Texas. He continued his practice, using the hot mineral water baths for his patients, until his untimely death.

     Dr. John William and Sarah EIlen Elizabeth (Torbett) Cook were the parents of three daughters:

     LeVerge Cook, b September 24,1883, who married a Mr. Karns: and was buried in Calvary Cemetery when she died. Their daughter, Virginia Karns, b September 7, 1913 in Marlin, d February 23, 1981 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - married Homer Ernest Walters, b November 28, 1900, d March 4, 1979, and had no children. Another daughter, Mary Karns, married a Mr. Wilks.

     Jessie Cook, b October 29, 1885, d July 23, 1973 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - married Lucius M. Loring, b October 17, 1880, d May 7, 1930 and buried in Calvary Cemetery. A son was John L. Loring.

     Mary Nell Cook, b August 6, 1892, d July 5, 1939 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - married a Mr. Robertson.

     Sarah Ellen Elizabeth (Torbett) Cook attended Miss Sue Lamdon's private school in Waco, Texas, and boarded there with Judge and Mrs. J. H. Fort, whose outstanding library was a source of inspiration to her. She taught school in Eagle Springs, Texas before the Cooks moved to Marlin, Texas in 1894. She was a charter member of the W.C.T.U., and a member of the Missionary Society - both and foreign, before they merged; a charter member of two Eastern Star groups, and a life-long member of the Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution.

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 90 column 1 page 91 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.