ALONZO B. HOOK.

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         One of the most extensive farmers and stockmen of Louisa county is Alonzo B. Hook, of Jefferson township, who is engaged in the cultivation of seven hundred and fifty-six acres of land. He was born in this county on the 9th of August, 1855, and is a son of George W. and Emily B. (Trask) Hook. The father, whose birth occurred in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1825, came to Louisa county at the age of twelve years, and continued to reside here until 1850, at which time in company with several other prospectors he started for California in search of gold. The trip, which was made overland with ox teams, was a long and tiresome one, several months being spent en route. Mr. Hook was quite successful in finding gold, and later he engaged in mercantile business, which proved to be most lucrative. He returned to Iowa at the end of three years, again locating in Louisa county, where he bought three hundred and six acres of land on sections 14 and 15, Jefferson township. The year following his return he was united in marriage to Miss Emily B. Trask, a native of Illinois, who removed from that state, to Louisa county with her parents, about 1836. Nine children were born of this union, as follows: Alonzo B., our subject; Elisha I.; Sophia J., the widow of Dr. Frank Tustison; Jessie L., the wife of Abe Parsons, Grant, a farmer of this county; George Jr.; Emma, the widow of Dr. Frank Wright, of Wapello; Lola, the wife of W. E. Edwards, of Wapello; and Dr. Merrritt B., of Kremmling, Colorado. Mr. Hook passed away in 1895 but the mother survived until January 1910.

         Alonzo B. Hook has spent his entire life in Louisa county, in whose district schools he obtained his education. When he had acquired such knowledge of the common branches as he deemed essential to enable him to begin his chosen vocation he laid aside his text-books and devoted his entire time and attention to the work of the farm. When he was twenty-one years of age he entered into partnership with his father, engaging in general farming and stock-raising, together until the demise of the latter. Subsequently Mr. Hook purchased the home farm from the other heirs and now owns seven hundred and fifty-six acres of fine farm land. In addition to the tilling of his extensive fields Mr. . . .

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. . . Hook makes a specialty of raising and feeding all kinds of stock and has met with most gratifying returns from his undertakings.

         On the 31st of October, 1888, Mr. Hook was united in marriage to Miss Emma Berryhill, who was born in Iowa City on the 20th of July, 1865, and is a daughter of William DeWitt and Anna (Depin) Berryhill, natives of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The parents came to Iowa at an early day, locating in Johnson county, where the family continued to reside until 1881. Mr. Berryhill, however, joined a party of gold-seekers in 1851 and went to California, where he remained for two years. Returning to Iowa at the expiration of that time he purchased a large tract of land in Johnson county, which he operated until he came to Louisa county in 1881. Here he again settled on a farm, where he was living at the time of his death in February, 1907, having survived his wife for thirty years, as her demise occurred in Iowa City in 1877. Of the nine children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill eight attained maturity, all but one of whom are now living. Mrs. Hook, who was given the advantage of a collegiate education, prior to her marriage was a teacher in the public schools. She has become the mother of two daughters and one son, as follows: Fannie J., who was born on the 18th of October, 1890, and is a graduate of the high school of Wapello, now teaching; Cornelia, born on the 16th of May, 1895; and Albert A., whose birth occurred on the 3d of August, 1897.

         The family attend the services of the Methodist Protestant church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Hook is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in politics he is a republican. He always takes an active interest in all township affairs and is now serving as trustee and a member of the board of school directors. He has ever made the best possible use of his time and opportunities and by the capable and wise direction of his affairs has become recognized as one of the affluent citizens of Jefferson township.