Kristy, I don't know if this was the same Cook, but it was certainly the same time frame. These are 2 excerpts from my GAunt Cora Rowan's diaries from 1887 and 1888. In 1887, she was a student at Normal in Normal Illinois, and later on became a teacher in Secor and then Eureka. (She didn't have much to say about Professor COOK, but she certainly had some other interesting things to say-mites on the table?)I copied these as best I could, but found some of the entries hard to read. Sat Feb 26, 1887 Snow & Cold Went to station with Bessie. Anna cried. No Mail. Washed before dinner. Sewed and read this afternoon. "book" is very good by Tourgee. Went to society. Very good. Prof COOK critic. Very windy and cold. Found mites on table. No school Monday on account of furnace. Fri April 20, 1888 Dawned clear & bright and at seven we were on our way to Secor. Stopped at Aunts till train time. Met many teachers at the depot. Visited the East Side and found Roses school quite orderly but still noisy. When we assembled in PM what was my great horror to hear myself nominated and elected to the chair of Sec. With much embarrassment I filled the position very poorly on a platform six feet high. Clara and I were sent to Mr. Hodgson and was very highly entertained. In evening, Clara and I accompanied Mr. T.M.W. to lecture given by Prof. COOK which I had heard before, but was again enjoyed. > Hello All, > While I've always thought I was on this list to > watch for news about the Hill family of Minonk (on > my ex's side), I have just come across the news that > my GG-Uncle was principal for the Minonk schools in > 1887-88. Does anyone know of, or have access to > info about, Alfred W. Cook of Plano, Kendall, IL...? > I'd appreciate anything you might have to share. > > Thanks and a Happy Year to you... > Kristy > > ==============\Kristy Lawrie Gravlin/=============== > hannah@teleport.com ~~~Banks, OR 97106-0755 > Looking for Hill and Brunt > and brick kilns > in the Minonk area of Woodford County > =================================================