Biography: PETER KOOI, coal operator; b. Dec. 9, 1866, Chicago, Ills.; s. of Peter and Gertrude Kooi; educ. pub. schls., Chicago; ticket broker, Chicago, 1880-1893; located in Wyoming, Sept., 1904, and assisted in opening and developing the properties of The Wyoming Coal Mining Co., at Monarch, Wyo,; opened the Kooi coal mines at Kooi, Wyoming, 1907; mem. Elks; Masons, Shriner. Address: Kooi Wyoming.
- Scan002, Dated Oct 26, 1921
From the strenuous vicissitudes of youthful life in Chicago to the presidency of one of the largest coal mining companies of the west, sustaining a payroll of millions of dollars annually is a long way for resistless energy, and indomitable will, to carry a man whose head and hands constituted about the sum total of his assets. But such is the record of the Honorable Peter Kooi during the fifty odd years of his life, and it is interesting to note that as his material prosperity has increased his efforts to improve the condition of others less fortunate has broadened.
In 1907, Mr. Kooi founded the town of Kooi, Wyoming in connection with the development of his coal properties there. And from the until 1920, when he sold his interest in the property to the Sheridan-Wyoming Coal company, his efforts to make Kooi a model coal mining town never ceased. Today there are in the neighborhood, 100 neat dwellings, occupied by those dependent upon the Kooi mine for their livelihood, while a splendid school and church have been provided.
In 1920, when the Sheridan-Wyoming puchased the holdings of the six largest operators in the Sheridan field, this latter corporation cast about for a suitable man for the presidency, a man who knew the coal business from the very beginning, and who was capable of assuming charge of such a huge corporation. Needless to say, they looked no further than Mr. Kooi. That their choice was right was evidenced by the remarkable efficiency with which the corporation has functioned since the earliest days of its organization.
Mr Kooi is deeply interested in the future and welfare of his chosen city of Sheridan, and owns a beautiful residence on Residence Hill. He has invested his money in various business and banking enterprises of the city, and is in every way entitled to be called Sheridan’s first citizen.
The Honorable Mr. Kooi is continually casting about for means to benefit the condition of others, as witness the installation of the beautiful sanitary drinking fountains placed at intervals troughout Sheridan. When the lack of these came to the attention of Mr/ Kooi, he immediately ordered them placed, bearing the entire burden of expense himself.
Mr. Kooi is Republican in politics and takes a deep interest in the organization. He has been honored with several elective and appointive offices, among them being his election in 1916 to the office of state senator from Sheridan county. In 1920, Mr. Kooi was elected presidential elector, and in that capacity had the honor of casting Wyoming's votes for President Harding.
While Mr. Kooi attempts to conceal has [his] many acts of philantropy, it is an open secret that he is continually helping others less fortunate than himself, which needless to say, is sincerely appreciated, not only by the recipients, but by the entire community as well. - Scan003, Dated May 16, 1920, partly very badly readable
ONE WYOMING MAN
WHO HAS MADE GOOD[photo, quality very bad, not reproduced here]
HON. PETER KOOI
Republican Nominee for Presidential ElectorThe election of Peter Kooi as presidential elector is another honor justly given to a man who has done much for this state in the development of its natural resources, and whose abilities as a business man and a law maker have not gone unrecognized by the people of his adopted state.
Peter Kooi was born in Chicago and received his early education there. He was in business there for a time before coming to this state in 1904 and engaged in the coal business. He helped open and develop the properties of the Wyoming Mining company at Monarch and then turned his attention to promoting a little coal project of his own.
In 1907 he opened the Kooi coal mine at Kooi, Wyoming, and founded the town of Kooi. Before very long he had built up a business that sustained a monthly payroll of $30,000, and had established a wide market for the product of his mines. He built at Kooi a little city of clean and sanitary houses for the convenience of his [workers ??] and provided them with entertainment in the form of moving picture shows, pool balls. He operated on the principle that it paid dividends to be the friends of the men, and his success was a sufficient proof of the principle.
At the time of the big coal merger last fall Peter Kooi was recognized as one of the most substantial and succesful men of the state. His success and his wealth were not handed to him on a silver platter, either. He was not one of those fortunate fellows that happened to stumble onto a "good thing." There were many times when the going was hard and when the business he was building was perilously near the point of being submerged. The year he founded the town of Kooi, 1907, it will be remembered, was a panic year. Since then there were many nights when Peter burned the midnight oil devising ways and means; but he won through by sound management and by the quality that makes men "stick it out."
The exact figures of the big coal merger were not made public but it is known to his friends with pleasure that Peter lost no money when he disposed of his interests.
But it is not expected that Mr. Kooi will stop. He has only just begun. Relieved of the heavy burden he no doubt carried for several years as head of the Kooi Coal Company he will now be free to devote his time and energies to other projects, not the least among which, his friends hope, will be some cultivation of the goddess of public opinion as expressed by the ballot. - Scan004, Dated Oct 29, 1935, Page 1, columns 1 and 2.
Peter Kooi Funeral Services
Will Be Wednesday AfternoonBody of Prominent Resident Who Died In Denver
Hospital Arrives Here - To Lie In State at
Reed Mortuary In Morning.WITH plans completed for funeral services on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at St. Peter’s Episcopal church, the body of Peter Kooi returned today to the city wheer [where] for years he had been an outstanding citizen.
Mr. Kooi, prominent banker and coal operator who died in Denver on Sunday evening, came home in a private car furnished [to] the family by Robert Rice, president of the Colorado and Southern railroad. Arrangements for the car to be transported over the Burlinton sys-Hal T. Cheney, secretary of the Sheridan chamber of commerce, today urged all stores to close between 2:30 and 3 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon for the funeral of Peter Kooi, prominent Sheridan resident.tem were made by C. J. Rohwitz, general freight and passenger agent at Omaha.
The body was accompanied bij the members of the immediate family, including Mrs. Kooi, two daughters Mrs. T. J. Hurst and Mrs. Milward Simpson, and Mr. Simpson.
Another daughter, Mrs James C. Reynolds, drove from Denver to Sheridan Monday accompanied by Mrs. A. F. Hufford. They were met at Douglas, Wyo., by Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Hufford.
Rev. Donald G. Smith, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal church, will conduct the services on Wedensday afternoon at this church.
Friends may see Mr. Kooi at the Reed Mortuary on Wednesday up until 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
The Reed Mortuary is in charge of the funeral arrangements.TRIBUTE FROM CAREY
Senator Robert D. Carey, senior member of Wyoming’s congressional delegation, today sent the following telegram to the Sheridan Press:
"While I have known for some time of the illness of the late senator Kooi, I was shocked to learn of his death. He has not only been a leading citizen of Sheridan, but of the state. He had many friends and will be sadly missed."
(signed) Robert D. Carey - Scan 005, Dated Oct 30, 1935 Page 2, column 2.
PETER KOOI IN 1926
TURNED DOWN BID
FOR GOVERNORSHIPFriends here today recounted how Peter Kooi declined a political endorsement in 1926 which would almost certainly have placed him in the governor's chair.
He had been repeatedly urged, prior to that time, to enter the race for governor on the republican ticket, but he had merely turned the suggestion away with a laugh.
In 1926, the republican party, in an effort to unite its organization behind a single slate of candidates, decided to call an unofficial state republican convention at Casper to endorse candidates for major offices.
At the time of the Sheridan county convention to select delegates for the state convention, Mr. Kooi, after again being approached on the subject, announced flatly that he did not want the office of governor and would not run for it.
He reiterated that same statement after a county delegation had been named with R. G. Diefenderfer, Sheridan attorney, as chairman.
"Mr. Kooi looked me up and made me implicitly understand that under no circumstance was his name to be put forward as a candidate for governor." Mr. Diefenderfer recalled.
But when the convention opened and nominations for gubernatorial endorsements were in order, a number of favorite sons appeared - with the result that there was a deadlock on the first ballot.
At the juncture, Mr. Diefenderfer recalled, Senator Patrick Sullivan, then national republican committeeman, came over to him and said: "Now is the time to nominate Peter Kooi. If you nominate him, this deadlock will be broken and he will go over by acclamation."
After Mr. Diefenderfer said that he had been instructed by Mr. Kooi not to make such a nomination, Senator Sullivan insisted that they talk to Mrs. James C. Reynolds, his daughter and one of the delegates at the convention, and perhaps persuade her to telephone her father.
"But Mrs. Reynolds said that her father was determined not to enter politics, as he and Mrs. Kooi were planning to travel and enjoy themselves." Mr. Diefenderfer said.
So Mr. Kooi’s name was not placed before the convention, and the endorsement finally went to Frank C. Emerson. As it was a republican year, the endorsements made at the convention were virtual the same as election to office. - Scan006, Dated Oct 29, 1935, Page 1, column 1 and 2.
Simple Funeral Held
For Sheridan ResidentSnow Covers Ground as Body of Peter Kooi, Widely-
Known Financier, Is Laid To Rest In
Impressive ServiceWITH A WARM SUN shining down upon the snow, Peter Kooi was laid to rest today in Mount Hope cemetery as his home community paused to pay tribute to his memory.
Simple but impressive funeral services for the widely-known Sheridan financier were conducted at St. Peter's Episcopal church, and then his body was borne past his home to the final resting place on a neighboring hillside. With muffled drums, the patrol of Kalif Temple acted as escort.
The funeral, with reverent and beautiful floral offerings banked in profussion along the altar and spreading out along the walls of the church, was one of the largest ever held in Sheridan.
Flowers from Mrs. Kooi were placed upon the casket, while those from the three daughters and their families - Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Reynolds and Mr. and Mrs. Milward Simpson - and from Mrs. Anna J. Brown, sister of of Mrs. Kooi, were on stands nearby.
The services were conducted by Rev. Donald G. Smith, rector of St. Peter’s church.
During the morning hours, hundreds of his friends from every walk of life saw Mr. Kooi for the last time as his body lay in state at the Reed Mortuary.
Members of the Elks Lodge acted as ushers at the Reed Chapel. They included W. E. Fair, A. J. Stager, Roy Bedford, Dr. A. E. Adkins, Clarence Meyer, Frank Schaal, W. K. Cole, Winsor Sigler, Fred Goldberger, Maurice L. Cone, Gene Lewis, Hal Benett and Thomas Hughes.
At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, private funeral services were held at the Kooi home. Mrs. Simpson, one of Mr. daughters, has not yet recovered
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Simple Funeral Held
For Sheridan ResidentContinued from Page 1
from an operation which she underwent in Denver, and therfore was not able to attend the church services. She was in the Mercy hospital in Denver when her father was brought there for his last illness.
The church services began at 2:30 o’clock, with a half-hour of organ music preceding the services.
J. R. Early, L. C. Booth, and Dr. S. W. Johnson, three past potentates of Kalif Temple, served as ushers, while the pall bearers were A. F. Hufford, Ralph Arrison, A. A. Wilcox, Alger W. Lonabaugh, Jack Brooder, Guy Sturgeon, Roscoe L. Lamb, T. T. Tynan.
The order of the service at the church, with the Rev. Mr. Smith officiating, was as follows:
Opening sentences.
Reading of Psalm 27 and Psalm 121
Reading of a portion of the fifteenth chapter of the First Corinthians beginning at the twentieth verse.
Reading of the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John.
"Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand," sung by the choir.
After a brief introduction, the Rev. Mr. Smith read a tribute to Mr. Kooi.
Closing prayer and benediction.
Postlude - Mrs. John G. Hutton, organist. - Scan007, Dated Oct 29, 1935
PETER KOOI
Sheridan Voices Its Sorrow
On Death of Prominent CitizenLoss of Peter Kooi Draws Expressions of Regret
From Wide Circle of Friends - Was Active
In Many FieldsFROM all walks of life today came expressions of sorrow over the death of Peter Kooi last night. Lawyers, bankers, city officials, merchants - all expressed sadness at the loss of one who meant much to the life of the community.
Eric B. Allan
President of the Bank of Commerce.
"With his interest in community affairs, Peter Kooi was a great asset to the community and we have suffered a great loss by his death. He was a great dispenser of charity without ostentation."
R. E. McNally
Sheridan Attorney.
"Sheridan has lost one of its most loved and outstanding citizens. The death of Peter Kooi is felt by everyone.
William Henderson
Chief Rabban of Kalif Temple of the Shrine.
"We of the Shrine are all deeply greived [grieved] over Mr. Kooi’s death. He was one of the original few who was responsible for bringing the Shrine to Sheridan and has been representative to the imperial council sessions for many years. Kalif Temple has lost a noble who meant more than any other and he will be greatly missed.
Gene Lewis
Exalted Ruler of the B. F. O. E.
"The Sheridan Elks join with a sorrowing community over the death of Peter Kooi. He was a man loved and respected by all. We will miss
Continued on Page 8, Col. 1Continued on another page:
City Sorrowful On
Death of Peter KooiContinued From Page 1.
him and his kindly ways."
N. B. Bennett
"The boy life of Sheridan will feel the loss of Peter Kooi who was one of the early workers in the boy scout movement in the city. It was through Mr. Kooi’s generosity that the scouts have Camp Kooi, and now that he is gone this camp will serve as a monument to his memory in the minds of the Sheridan youths who will grieve at his passing."
Harry A. Loucks
Mayor of the city of Sheridan
"In the death of Peter Kooi this community has lost an outstanding progressive citizen, one whose traits of character and kindly acts were admired by all. There will be none other than kindly remembrances of Mr. Kooi."
J. J. Early
Superintendent of Sheridan schools.
"In the passing of Peter Kooi to the Great Beyond, Wyoming has lost one of its most prominent citizens, and Sheridan one of its most loyal friends an neighbors. Mr. Kooi’s influence and generosity will be missed in plitical, community and social affairs, but his many kindnesses will remain as a memorial to him."
Alf Diefenderfer
"Ever since I've known Peter Kooi he has been like a brother to me and I could not feel his death more keenly than I do."
The Rev. Father John Duffy
Pastor of the Holy Name Catholic church.
"I regret very much the departure of Mr. Peter Kooi whose friendship I enjoyed for the past 30 years. He was recognized as an outstanding citizen in our community. He was always interested in the development an progress of the city of Sheridan and the state of Wyoming. His death will be regretted and his presence missed by the citizens of the entire community."
Martin Cahill
President of the Wyoming Federation of Labor
"Our relationship was always very pleasant during his operations at Kooi and we regret the passing away of a very able citizen who contributed much to the building up of Sheridan." - Scan008, Dated Oct 28, 1935, Page 1, columns 7 and 8, only title, subtitle and photo:
- Scan009, Dated Oct 29, 1935, same as scan007 now with photo:
- Scan010/11, Dated Oct 26, 1935:
LONG ILLNESS IS
FATAL TO WELL
KNOWN CITIZENProminent Finacier Is
Stricken Enroute
To Sheridan.PETER KOOI, one of Wyoming’s most influential and widely-known citiznes, died Sunday night at Mercy hospital in Denver, Colo. Following a long illness.
Death came to the prominent Sheridan finacier and former coal operator at 7:40 o'clock in the evening - just one week less than two years from the time he was stricken with a moderate cerebral hemorrhage while entering an automobile in front of his home.
He had rallied several times since that day of November 5, 1933, and for a number of months had enjoyed moderately good health.
He was in good spirits when he started for home recently after an extended visit in Hollywood, Calif., at the home of his sister, Mrs. Robert Smithson, but his final illness overcame him as his train reached the higher altitudes of the Rocky mountain region, necessitating his removal from the train at Denver on last Wednesday
Expressions of sincere sorrow were heard on every side in Sheridan today as word was passed along concerning the death of a man whose activities and philantrophies extended into every walk of life during the last quarter of a century.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed this morning, but it was expected that burial would be in Sheridan, as Mr. Kooi’s body was being sent here from Denver.Family With Him
His three daughters, Mrs. James C. Reynolds and Mrs T, J. Hurst of Sheridan and Mrs. Milward Simpson of Cody - and Mrs. Kooi, who had been his contant companion during his illness, were at the bedside when the end came.
Mrs. Simpson was recovering in the same hospital from an operation, while Mrs. Hurst was driven to Denver by Mr. Hurst immediately after word was received that Mr. Kooi’s condition was serious. Mrs. Reynolds, who was returning to Sheridan from Hollywood by automobile, was notified at Evanston, Wyo., of his illness.
Mrs. A, F. Hufford, who was traveling with Mrs. Reynolds, also accompanied her to Denver. Mr. Hurst returned to Sheridan on Saturday evening, but Mr Simpson remained with his wife and the family, and will accompany Mr. Kooi’s body to Sheridan. Mrs. Simpson will also be strong enough to make the trip.
In addition to his wife, his three daughters, and his sister, Mr. Kooi is survived by nine grandchildren who were a constant joy to him during the later years of his life. Mrs. Anna J. Brown, a sister of Mrs. Kooi, is now living at the Sheridan residence.
Mr. Kooi, who had led a very active life, both in the business world and in civic enterprises, had scarcely been sick a day in his life when he was stricken unexpected on a Sunday afternoon two years ago.
That morning he had driven to the
Continued on Page 3, Col. 2. - Scan012, Dated Oct 1935
Long Illness Is Fatal
To Well-Known CitizenContinued from Page 1.
Sheridan greenhouse to personally supervise the selection of flowers for the funeral of the late Senator John B. Kendrick, and had planned to spend the afternoon with Mrs. Kooi at their cabin at Story. He was stricken as he entered his car to make the drive.
When his health improved, he went south for the winter, and the next summer was strong enough to attend the imperial council of the Mystic Shrine at Minneapolis.
Mr. Kooi left on his last trip in March of this year, going first to Denver and Santa Barbara, Calif., befor going to the home of his sister in Hollywood.Wide Popularity
Mr Kooi enjoyed wide popularity over the state, and on several occasions had been urged to run for governor. He was a power in republican party councils and served Sheridan county in the state senate in 1915 an 1917.
Coming to Wyoming from Chicago in 1904, he immedialtely engaged in the coal business, assisting in opening and developing the properties of the Wyoming Coal Mining company at Monarch in the Sheridan valley. Later, in 1907, he opened his own mine at Kooi, where he continued to operate until he sold his properties to the Sheridan-Wyoming Coal company about 1920.
Moving to Sheridan after the sale of the Kooi mine, he began his residence at the home that he grew to love at the corner of College avenue and Jefferson street. He was a family man, first and last, and hos homelife afforded him to much comfort.
He continued to be active in the business world, however, and at the time of his death he was vice-president of the Bank of Commerce, vice-president of the Sheridan Flouring Mills, Inc., director of the Sheridan Iron Works, and connected with numerous other businesses.
In 1922, he was appointed by Gov. Frank C. Emerson as one of the first members of the board of the newly-created Wyoming state department of commerce and industry.
Mr. Kooi served in many high positions in the Masonic lodge and was a member of many civic, social and fraternal bodies.
He was a past potentate of Kalif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and was a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry, Wyoming Consistory No. 1, and Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.
He was also a director and past president of the Sheridan Country club and a member of the Elks Lodge and the Sheridan Rotary club.
His support could always be counted upon for any worthy enterprise, and he was a constant leader in any movement to help the youth of Sheridan. Boy Scouts were his hobby, the Sheridan Y. M. C. A. was formed at a meeting in his home, and he always gave liberally to the Sheridan high school band and any other youthful organizations.
His philantropies were many, although much of the time his gifts were made without the name of the donor being revealed. The drinking fountains on Main street were one of his gifts to the city where he lived.
During the World war, he worked hard in Red Cross activities and in the Liberty loan drive. At that time as one of the leading coal operators in Wyoming, he enjoyed the confidence of Secretary of Labor James J. Davis and other high government officials.
SHERIDAN PRESS SEPT. 19, 1952
Mrs. Peter Kooi, prominent Sheridan woman died Thursday afternoon at her home, 375 West College, following a long illness. Widow of the late Peter Kooi, who operated the Kooi Coal Mine, north of the city for several years. Mrs. Kooi had lived in the community since the early 1900's. Like her husband, she was known for her philanthropic work in the community. After his death in 1935, she continued many of the civic projects she had inaugurated. Her particular interest centered upon youth and she did much to promote worthwhile activities.
Best known of these in recent years was her endowment of the extensive library for Northern Wyoming Community College. Mrs. Kooi not only gave the first nucleus of books, but continued to build up the library by providing additional volumes as well as much needed furnishings for the library room at Stolt Hall. Another youth activity popular among school children launched by the Koois and continued by Mrs. Kooi was sponsorship of the annual marble tournament.
Mrs. Kooi was born in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of William Brown and Anne MacCaffery Brown. Her age was not given. Her marriage to Mr. Kooi took place in Chicago. Her husband came to Sheridan from Chicago in 1904 and immediately engaged in the coal business, assisting in opening and developing the properties of the Wyoming Coal Mining Company at Monarch. Later in 1907, he opened his own mine at Kooi which he operated until selling his interest to the Sheridan-Wyoming Coal Company about 1920.
At first, Mrs. Kooi spent summers with her husband at Monarch and later made her home there until she and her husband moved to Sheridan after the sale of their mining property. From then on the couple devoted much of their time to community affairs, both through organizational work and individual enterprise. In addition to her work with the college library and sponsorship of the marble tourney, Mrs. Kooi was actively interested in youth welfare activities, including sewing for crippled children's hospitals.
As a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, she had been active in church projects throughout the years she had lived in Sheridan. Mrs. Kooi was a past matron of Siloam Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Chicago and on arrival in this community, she had transferred her membership in that group to Naomi Chapter No. 2 in Sheridan. She was a member of the Past Matrons Club of Sheridan, a charter member and Honorary Junior Past Queen of Sahida Temple No. 86, Daughter of the Nile; a member of Assembly No. 70, Social Order of Beaucant of Casper; a charter member of The Women's Association of the Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County; the Sheridan Woman's Club and the Book Review Club and Women of St. Peter's.
She is survived by her three daughters, Vera Kooi Hurst and Doris Kooi Reynolds, Sheridan; Mrs. Milward Simpson, Cody; nine grandchildren, Mrs. J. Edward Amschel, Jackson; Joan, Elaine, Carol, Thomas and Barbara Hurst, Sheridan; Mrs. Selmar E. Moeller of Sheridan, Formerly Crews Kooi Reynolds; Peter Kooi Simpson and Alan Kooi Simpson, Cody; three great-grandchildren, Edward, Peter and Stephen Amschel of Jackson, and one sister, Miss Anna J. Brown, who had made her home with Mrs. Kooi for many years.
Funeral arrangements, under the direction of Champion's Funeral Home are incomplete.