By Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer
His forte was attracting new industry.
That best sums up the story of Thomas Cook, who served as Sarnia’s Mayor in 1903 and 19O4 and as the City’s 41st Chief Magistrate in 1923.
Born in the Huron County community in Varna on March 15, 1864, he moved to Sarnia as a teenager.
Over the years he became a successful banker, real estate agent, insurance salesman and landlord.
Elected to Council as an Alderman in 1896, he ran for the Mayor’s Chair eight years later, easily defeating R.S. Oliver.
Once in Office, the new Mayor immediately set out to attract more industries to Town.
His greatest success came during his second year at the helm when the Empire Salt Company, later known as Dominion Salt, opened its doors. The company stayed in business until 1965.
That same year Council also extended streetcar tracks to Lake Huron near Colborne Road so bathers could get to the beach more easily.
After he left office at the end of 1904 The Observer noted Mayor Cooke “has been successful not only in attracting new industries, but in securing new men and fresh capital to keep in operation the Crosby Works”.
In a surprise move, he came out of political retirement in 1923 to win his third term as Mayor. During the following 12 months the Dominion Alloy Steel Corporation announced
It would build a plant in Sarnia and a record 108 new homes were constructed in the city.
Mayor Cooke, who lived at 286 Vidal Street N. with his wife, Lucie, and their four children, died in July, 1933, at age 69.