Civil War: James Hook

Wabash Valley profiles: A series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including portrait; biography of James Hook, friend of the common man and leading advocate for public education. Other individuals mentioned include Arthur Hook, Catherine Hook, P.B. Praigg, Vienna Herring, Moses Soule, Amory Kinney, Joseph Cooper, Virgil J. Burnett, James H. Moore, William K. Edwards, Samuel H. Potter, James Hook Jr., Anna Fenner, Samuel Fenner. WABASH VALLEY P R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history.James HookContractor James Hook, known as friend of the common man and a leading advocate for public education, was an important Vigo County pioneer. Born in Waynesburg, Pa., on July 8, 1815, he was the son of Arthur and Catherine Hook. After his fathers death in 1820, a paternal uncle paid for him to attend private school and taught him carpentry and cabinetmaking. Soon after arriving in Terre Haute in 1837, he was recognized for his building skills. Between 1838 -- when his partnership with P.B. Praigg was dissolved -- and 1891, Hook was involved one way or another with the construction of most every building on Wabash Ave. from the river to the fairgrounds at Brown Ave. (now the site of Memorial Stadium). On Nov. 2, 1840, he wed local resident Vienna Herring and the couple had eight children. When the Indiana legislature first authorized free schools in 1852, strong opposition to public education surfaced. Some wealthy families did not want their children to associate with the common herd. In January 1853 Hook, Moses Soule, Amory Kinney, Joseph Cooper and Virgil J. Burnett were selected initial Terre Haute public school trustees. Injunctions and other impediments forced the trustees to close schools in early 1855. Though public schools were not revived here until 1860, Hook took matters into his own hands. In 1857 he built a school building at the southwest corner of Fourth and Mulberry streets at his own expense and persuaded Professor James. H. Moore to operate a graded private school there. When William K. Edwards chose not to seek a third term as mayor in May 1855, Hook was elected to succeed him. Having established an enviable reputation for integrity and public involvement, he was an obvious choice. A progressive thinker, he was prominently identified with the anti-slavery movement. Moreover, even opponents acknowledged that Hooks word was his bond. Early in the Civil War, he united with Samuel H. Potter to form a relief association to assist families of soldiers killed in battle. When the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Veterans Association was established, James was elected its first president and earned the honorary title Captain. After serving as mayor, he was the contractor responsible for building the Terre Haute Opera House (later Naylor Opera House) and the original State Normal School, among many fine buildings. He also subcontracted the carpentry work for the current Vigo County Courthouse. Hook School, named in his honor, was built in 1878 to replace his city school at Fourth and Mulberry. Late in life Hook owned a planing mill on North Third Street, which was destroyed by fire in 1880. In retirement, he was a valuable historic resource. In 1891 he recited from memory the names of 300 heads of households in Terre Haute in 1837. For several years before his death on June 23, 1895, the Hook family resided at 102 N. 17th St. Only his wife and two children survived him: James Jr. and Anna, wife of local hardware dealer Samuel Fenner. The family is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.TERRE HAUTE(812) 238-6000NATIONAL BANKAlways Close to HomeDate published: April 19, 2001Filename: Hook, James profile
Origin:	2001-04-18
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/544
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Hook, James, 1815-1895 Public schools Construction Politicians Mayors Wars & Conflicts People Politics Education

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