Northern Illinois University - Norther Yearbook (DeKalb, IL)

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with other lines of thought and of action. He is, perhaps, as widely and as favorably known through his lectures as through any other line of his work. Dr. Cook is. first of all, an untiring worker. He longs to be in the thick of the battle. Three years ago he was called upon to decide between the old field and the new. The pressure brought to bear by the authorities and other friends at Normal was heavy: the ties of a lifetime bound him' to the people and the scenes there: but still he said, l must be where there is the most work, and since the new institution at De Kalb seemed to him to offer a field of greater labor he made the decision which placed him at the head of the Northern Illinois State Normal School. And truly, this prophecy has been fulfilled. The organizing of a new institution has proved no small task. The new wheels must be watched at every turn, while the old ones know better how to move. But the new school opened most auspiciously. The three years of its life have been years of continu- ous, steady growth in power and efficiency, as well as in members. The unifying power of the president and his rare executive ability are in constant evidence. His patience with details makes his infiuence pervade every line of the school's activity, bringing him also into close personal relations with each student. It would be difficult to say which are enjoyed inore-the hours spent with him in the class-room or those spent with himself and Mrs. Cook in their most homelike home. The Fates have been kind to the Northern Illinois State Normal School, but there have been periods of no little solicitude. The days of anxious watching for reports from President Cooks sick chamber, the weeks of waiting for his decision concerning certain tempting and flattering offers from another educa- tional institution-these have cast their shadow: but the shadow has passed, and a loyal. happy school is united in wishing for Dr. Cook long years of continued activity, and may they all be spent within the walls of the N. I. S. S. -I4..

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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-

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