Ansel B. Cook purchased land in the center of Libertyville in 1870 from his father-in-law, Dr. Jesse Haven Foster, one of Libertyville's earliest settlers. The house was built in 1878 for use as a summer or country home. Mr. Cook’s masonry business was in Chicago so he didn't live here full time until his retirement in the late 1880s. Mr. Cook died in 1898. His third-wife, Emily Barrows Cook, continued to live in the house until her death in 1919. After her death, the house and grounds were given to the Village of Libertyville for use as a library and park.
Ansel B. Cook purchased land in the center of Libertyville in 1870 from his father-in-law, Dr. Jesse Haven Foster, one of Libertyville's earliest settlers. The house was built in 1878 for use as a summer or country home. Mr. Cook’s masonry business was in Chicago so he didn't live here full time until his retirement in the late 1880s. Mr. Cook died in 1898. His third-wife, Emily Barrows Cook, continued to live in the house until her death in 1919. After her death, the house and grounds were given to the Village of Libertyville for use as a library and park.
