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         GEORGE W. HOOK, one of the leading farmers of Louisa County, residing on section 15, Jefferson Township, and a pioneer of 1837, is a native of Augusta County, Va., born in 1825. His parents, Elisha and Jane (Forsythe) Hook, were also natives of Virginia, the father being of Irish and Scotch ancestry. He was engaged in farming in his native State, and in 1835 emigrated to Dayton, Ind., where he remained for two years. In the spring of 1837 the family came to Louisa County, settling in Toolsboro, where Mr. Hook entered into partnership with W. L. Toole, and also entered a claim of eighty acres of land. He lived in Jefferson Township until his death, which occurred in 1851, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, who was born in 1792, and was a most estimable lady, was called to her final home in 1850. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and had a family of seven children, three of whom are now living—our subject, Mrs. Jane Maleroy, and William B., who now resides in Mitchell County, Kan. Elisha Hook was one of the influential and progressive citizens of Louisa County, and was highly respected by all.

Our subject was reared upon a farm, and came to this county in 1837 with his parents. He received his education in the district schools, and remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty-two, when he left home and engaged as a salesman in a general merchandising store at Yellow Springs, Iowa, for a year. At the expiration of that time he went to Iowa City and clerked until the spring of 1850, when, equipped with an ox-team, he started across the plains to California, in company with Lorenzo Harman and Willard Maleroy. He remained in California until the fall of 1853, engaging in mining and in mercantile business, in which he was quite successful. In that year he returned to Louisa County, purchasing 306 acres of land on section 14 and 15, Jefferson Township, which comprises part of his present home. From time to time he has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of 1,000 acres of fine land, and has deeded considerable to his sons.

On the 8th of February, 1854, Mr. Hook wedded Emily B. Trask, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Israel Trask, one of the pioneers of Louisa County. Mr. and Mrs. Hook are the parents of nine children: Alonzo B., at home; Elisha I., a practicing physician; Sophia J., wife of Dr. Tustison, of Wapello, Iowa; Jessie L., wife of D. D. Parsons, a resident of Jefferson Township; Grant, residing at home; George, an apprentice to the printer’s trade; Emma, who is engaged in teaching; Lola and Bird M., yet inmates of the paternal home.

Mrs. Hook is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Hook is connected with the I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held various township offices. He is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the county, and upon his land may be found a high grade of Short-horn cattle. During the half-century of his residence in Louisa County he has aided materially in its growth and prosperity, has taken an . . .

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. . . active interest in all enterprises for the public good, and is one of the representative citizens. Not only an an honored pioneer, but as a gentleman who is highly esteemed throughout the county, are we pleased to record the sketch of George W. Hook.