James Thomas Cook (abt. 1859 - 1931)

Born about 1859 in Kent, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Christabelle (Read) Cook — married 13 Apr 1878 in Adelaide, South Australia

Descendants

Died 6 Jul 1931 at about age 72 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Margaret Butcher [send private message]

Biography

James Thomas Cook married Christabella Whitaker (widow) on 13 Apr 1878 at the residence of Rev T J Core in Adelaide, South Australia. ^[1]

After the death of his wife in 1904, James married Margaret Oag Waters on 21 Dec 1904 at Chalmers Manse in Adelaide. ^[2]

James Thomas Cook died age 72 on 6 Jul 1931 in Corryton, South Australia. ^[3]

Advertiser and Register Fri 10 Jul 1931
DEATH OF MR J. T. COOK
Prominent Adelaide Singer
Mr. James Thomas Cook, who died at Corryton on Monday, was one of Adelaide's most prominent singers for many years. Born in Kent (England) 72 years ago, he came to South Australia in 1876 and worked at Hindmarsh at his trade as a coachbuilder. It was here that Mr. T. J. Bishop, conductor of the old Hindmarsh Musical Society, realised that he had discovered a man with a pure natural lyric tenor voice. He induced Mr. Cook to join his society, and taught him the rudiments of music. Mr. Cook also sang in the Stow Church Choir, and later took the leading tenor solo work for the Adelaide Orpheus Society, which was then conducted by Mr. C. J. Stevens. He was in demand as a concert singer, toured the largest country towns with concert parties, and sang frequently in White's rooms, and at the old Albert Hall. Mr. Cook received his Introduction to first-class grand opera work when an English operatic company was touring Australia. He sang in the chorus. He was also associated with Mr. T. W. Lyons in operatic work. As a clothing manufacturer he was in business in Pirie-street for more than 30 years. He was twice married. The surviving children of his first wife are Messrs. Albert Cook (Unley). Fred Cook (Edwardstown). Leo Cook (Victoria). Alex Cook (Unley). Miss Stokes (Unley) and Mrs. Moody (Newcastle, N.S.W.). His widow, who was Miss Waters, of Adelaide and her two children are Mrs. Whitehead (St. Morris), and Mr. Clyde Cook (Corryton). ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 8 Mar 2022) database entry for James Thomas Cook (age 21, marital status S, father William Charles Cook) and Christabella Whitaker (age 25, marital status W, father Edward Read) 13 Apr 1878, Res of Rev T J Gore Adelaide. Reference: District Adelaide, Book/Page 115/112
2. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 8 Mar 2022) database entry for James Thomas Cook (age 44, marital status w, father William Charles Cook) and Margaret Oag Waters (age 39, marital status S, father James Waters) 21 Dec 1904, Chalmers Manse Adelaide. Reference: District Adelaide, Book/Page 221/1131
3. ↑ South Australia Death Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 8 Mar 2022) database entry for James Thomas Cook (Death date 6 Jul 1931, age 72, marital status M, place of death Corryton, residence Corryton) Reference: District Norwood, Book/Page 529/407
4. ↑ "DEATH OF MR. J. T. COOK" Advertiser and Register (Adelaide, SA : 1931) 10 July 1931: 5. Web. 8 Mar 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74667368>.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Margaret Butcher for starting this profile.

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