Northern Illinois University - Norther Yearbook (DeKalb, IL)

Page 18 text:

1 I A 4 , 1 ..1 1, V 1 1, W - 1 ,z x ' N ' 1 f N 1 11'-, 11' A 1 ,g 1 ' '1 ' 1 , 1. 11 1 .Xu it 1113 f 4, 1 1 1 1 'f 1 1 1 X ' ,,.-1: f 1 ' 1 1 1 4 1 1 . w ,v 17 1 ,TW . I , 1 ' 1 Y A 1 1 1 1 1 1 K ..2: 1 - 1 ' S X I 1 A 1 1 it M le-.- ' f . 11 . Ll .- ,.. , 'u 1 X 4 I 1 I . K 1 5 ' 1 1 1 0. 4 1 1 I 1 11 ,. 14 af. - K 1.1 K .ua-,

Page 17 text:

Q. JOHN NY CUUK

Page 19 text:

jobn ID. Cook 96 RESIDENT JQHN NVILLISTON CCJUK was born in Oneida county, New York, April 2o, 1844. Vkfhen he was but seven years of age his parents removed to McLean county, Illinois, and located at what is called Oneida Crossing, about nine miles northeast of Normal. In the spring of '53 the family moved to the little village of Kappa. Here the remaining years of his boyhood and youth were spent, much as were those of other boys of the village -attending school during the winter, working on a farm, assisting his father Cwho was the agent of the railway companyl, or clerking in a store in the sum- mer. In 1862 Mr. Cook entered the Illinois State Normal L'niversitv, at Normal. as a student. After graduating, in 1865. he was employed for one year as prin- cipal of schools at Brimheld, Peoria county, Illinois. He was called the next year to the principalship of the village grammar school,which had just been estaba lished in Normal and which was under the supervision of the Normal faculty and was taught chiefiy by Normal students. This position he held until 1868, when he was appointed to supply the place of Dr. I-Iewett for one year, in the chair of History and Geography in the Normal School. tin Dr. Hewett's return to his work in the fall of '69 Prof. Cook was placed in charge of the work in Read- ing, which he conducted until his appointment to the chair of Mathematics and Physics in 1876. This position he held until his promotion, in l8QO, to the presi- dency of the institution. lior nine years he served as chief executive of that grand old school, leaving it only at the urgent solicitation of the promoters of the new enterprise, which resulted in the opening, in the fall of 1899, of the Northern Illinois State Normal School, with Ilr. fook as its president, which position he now fills. A glance at this hrief summary will reveal the striking wav in which circum- stances have combined to develop and round out a character which seemed des- tined to take a high position in the educational world. llr. foiili has penetrated the mysteries of the log school-house and the village schoolg he has served his term as teacher ot the village school, lie has devoted special attention, at various times, to almost every lmranch of study include-l in the puhlic school course: he has threaded the mazes of tl1e executive part ol the educiitional problem, a11d has grasped with a never-wavering hand the reins of control. .Xnd not only this, llr. Cook has figured actively i11 the husiness world, as a tiirnier, as an editor, and in various capacities. lt is not surprising that his sympathy is far-reitcliing Zlllll his eye keen to detect the needs and olmserve the interests ul' people of whatever station or occupation. llis efforts are ln' no means conllned to the schoolroom, hut extend to business and prolessionztl interests, keeping him constantly in touch -13-