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Wesley J. Cook
1717 Grant Street
[Block 65, Lot 1]
Built about 1890
Present house was built about 1890 around to a 1892 news article. The a
houses appears on the 1878 plat map and is listed as E. Cook.
The lot on which the house is
situated was sold by John I. Blair to John G. Smith in 1872.
The owners of the property include:
John & Ollie Smith
(1872-1877)
Julia & Edwin Cook
(1877-1888)
Wesley J. Cook
(1888-1903)
Louie J. & W.J. Cook
(1903-1909)
W.J. & Nettie McCann
(1909-1917)
George B. & Dora Riker
(1917-1919)
Earl M. & Elva Moats
(1919-1944)
Herman H. & Mary Jacob
(1944-1966)
Arnold J. & Ilene R. Divis
(1966-1980)
Dennis D. & Peggy S. Fitzke
(1980-1988)
Tim & Sharon Jensen
(1988-present)
The house was originally wood, but was covered with stucco many years ago,
perhaps in the 1920's. The stucco was replaced with siding in 2003. Dr. Earl
Moats was a chiropractor and maintained a little hospital in the house, even
delivering babies.
 from
The Blair Courier,
Jan. 23, 1892
(Grand
Opening of the Keeley Institute)
Wesley
J. Cook
Mr. Cook, the secretary and business manager of the
Keeley Institute at this point, is of all others the one
upon whom the great part of the responsibility and
management falls, and though it is a great task to look
after the wants of one hundred persons coming and going
all the time, and some of these in conditions which are
very trying to most men, he will always be found in the
best of humor and at all times ready to furnish the
patient or visitor any information or favors with-in his
power.
Mr. Cook was born at Grayson, Ky. Sept. 15, 1857, and
there he remained until his folks moved to Marietta,
Ohio, until five years later. After remaining there for
two years his parents again moved, this time coming west
to Harrison county, Iowa, where he remained on the farm
and attended the country school until the year 1874. At
the expiration of this time he became dissatisfied with
farming and went to railroading for the S. C. & P.
company. This line of business he took a liking to and
remained at it for nine years. Then he went into the
mercantile business, where he had a good trade for two
years, at the end of which time he was elected county
clerk for one term. From 1887 to April 1891, he followed
the Loan and Insurance business, at which avocation he
was prosperous.
April
9, 1891, the Nebraska Keeley Institute was organized and
he was elected the first secretary. January 1, 1892 he
was again elected to the same office, which position he
is at the present filling to the satisfaction of the
directors, faculty and stockholders.
Mr. Cook was married about two years ago to Miss
Louie J. Pound, an accomplished and favorite lady of
this city. They live on Grant and Fifth streets in a
beautiful residence built about two years ago, an
illustration of which will be found on the first page.
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