Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
COOK, Anna Blanche
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=63bsmith1&id=I375
COOK, Anna Blanche. (Warsaw, IN, Feb. 24, 1874--Dubuque, IA, Feb. 11,1923). Parish deaconess of SAINT LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Although Cook was superintendent of the junior department of the St. Luke's Sunday School, director of Bible study of the Epworth League, and president of the Mother's Club, she is best remembered in Dubuque as one of the organizers and prominent workers of the DUBUQUE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION.
Cook was also a driving force behind the organization and development of the Hillcrest Deaconess Home and Baby Fold, a predecessor of HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES. Dr. Nancy HILL, then an elderly woman, approached Cook soon after the 1909 closing of the Industrial Training School. The school, founded by Hill and the Women's Rescue Society of Dubuque, had provided childcare and training for unwed mothers until it was forced to close for lack of funding.
Cook and a group of concerned church women established the Hillcrest Deaconess Home and Baby Fold in 1914 after the Women's Rescue Society deeded their fourteen room house and barn on Asbury Road, 4.6 acres of land, and transferred a mortgage of $1700 and $276 cash to the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. St. Luke's accepted financial responsibility for the Home with other churches in the community making contributions. In 1924, accepting a proposal made by Cook, the Home was officially renamed the HILLCREST BABY FOLD to commemorate Dr. Hill's contributions. (Photo Credit: Hillcrest Family Services)