Former Office Holder Dead

Mrs. Annie Cook Martin, Ill Nearly Two Years, Buried Monday

Mrs. Annie Cook Martin, 76, a former Washington county official and one of Blair’s most public minded and best loved citizens over a long period of years, died Friday, March 17, at her home on west Colfax street. She had been ill for some time, and bedfast for more than a year and a half, following a fall in which she suffered a broken hip.

As Annie May Cook, she was born in Saxton, Pa., April 10, 1867. She came with her parents to Nebraska in 1868, locating in Sheridan township, Washington county. The family lived there until December, 1879, when they moved to Blair.

She was married to Thomas F. Martin on October 17, 1912. He preceded her in death in December, 1918.

Mrs. Martin was a teacher in Washington county and Blair city schools for many years. After the death of her husband, she served two terms as county clerk of Washington county.

Mrs. Martin leaves one sister, Mary J. Cook of Blair; a brother, William P. Cook of Omaha; four nieces, three nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral rites were held at the Bendorf Funeral Home Monday afternoon, March 20, with the Rev. John P. Brooks officiating. Burial was in Blair cemetery.

#2-23 Mar., 1944 - The Enterprise

ANNA COOK MARTIN, EX-CLERK, DEAD

Settled In County In 1868. Teacher And County Executive

FAMILY PROMINENT IN COUNTY

Mrs. Anna Cook Martin, a member of one of the earliest families of the county, passed away last Friday, March 17th, following an illness of about seventeen months.

Anna May Cook was born in Saxton, Pennsylvania April 10th, 1867, and in 1868 came with her parents to the county settling in the Fontanelle neighborhood. Here the family resided until the father, the late Joe Cook, was elected to the office of county clerk. Taking his office in 1880, the family moved to Blair, and since that time this has been the home of the deceased.

She was educated in the Blair schools, and in the old Fremont Normal, and for a long term of years was a teacher in the local city schools.

On October 17th, 1912, she was united in marriage with Thomas F. Martin, who was connected in a business way with the Blair Canning Company. In November, 1918, the husband passed away and later she was elected to the office of County Clerk which for two terms she filled very efficiently.

She leaves to mourn her departure one sister, Mary J., at home, who has cared for her through her illness with loving care and patient solicitude until the end; she also leaves a brother, William P. Cook of Omaha, and four nieces and three nephews and host of friends earned by her high type of womanhood.

Funeral services were held Monday at 2:30 p.m. from the Bendorf Funeral Home with Rev. John P. Brooks officiating. The music was furnished by Mrs. Earl Cook, who is known to the radio world as “Helen Carey” and is heard on the air in the Home Makers Club.

The services were largely attended and many friends and relatives from other towns were present to show their respect to the departed memory of a life well spent.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #117183751 Note: Per Blair Cemetery listing; Died 17 March 1944; Buried Blk 87 Lot 1 Grave 10