James A. HOOKE:BIOGRAPHY
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Source:  Centennial History of Missouri (The Center State), One Hundred
Years in the Union 1820-1921, Illustrated, Volume V, St. Louis - Chicago,
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1921

James A. HOOKE:  James A. HOOKE is filling the responsible position of
director of public utilities for the city of St. Louis.  He is a
high-minded man of broad vision who has closely studied many important
public problems and is rendering valuable service in connection with
municipal affairs through the exercise of his official duties.  He was born
in Bourbon County, Kentucky, January 18, 1878, and is a son of James H.
HOOKE a native of Virginia, where his ancestors had lived through several
generations, the family being there founded in 1838 by Robert HOOKE, who
was one of the first Justices of Augusta county, Virginia, and who had come
to this country from Ireland.  He was an Englishman by birth but was a
student in Dublin University prior to his emigration to the new world.
Robert HOOKE was a planter and slaveholder.  He served in the French and
Indian war of 1755 and commanded a Virginia company as captain.

James H. HOOKE, father of James A. HOOKE of this review, was reared and
educated in Virginia and removed to Kentucky about the outbreak of the
Civil War.  He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock raising
and passed away in 1914, at the age of seventy years, his birth having
occurred December 31, 1844.  In early manhood he wedded Josephine ALLISON a
daughter of John and Alta Zera (FERGUSON) ALLISON and granddaughter of
Daniel SINCLAIR, who was a representative of one of the old pioneer
families of Kentucky of Scotch descent.  The mother of James A. HOOKE
passed away in August 1919 at the age of sixty-six years, her birth having
occurred January 9, 1853.

James A. HOOKE, an only child, was educated in private schools and in the
University of Missouri and which he won his Bachelor of Science degree in
1902.   Following his graduation he was employed by the Chicago & Alton
Railroad and during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904
he was an engineer on construction.  He has since followed the engineering
profession and in 1905 became connected with the sewer department of the
city of St. Louis, thus serving until 1913, when he became sewer
commissioner, Since 194 he has been the director of public utilities and in
this connection has rendered important services to the city, directing its
interest and promoting its welfare through his various activities that have
been a public safeguard.

On the 18th of April, 1906, in Randolph county, Missouri, Mr. HOOKE was
married to Miss Eleanor LEWIS a native of Missouri and a daughter of
Richard E. and Elizabeth (HUTCHINSON) LEWIS, who were residents of Howard
County, this state.  Her father was a son of Benjamin and Eleanor (TURNER)
LEWIS, who were pioneers of Howard County.  Richard E. LEWIS has passed
away, but the mother of Mrs. HOOKE is still living.

Mr. HOOKE belongs to the University Club, also to the Ridgedale Golf Club,
to the City Club, the Century Boat Club, the Riverview Club, the Engineers
Club and the Chamber of Commerce.  He is a man of scholarly attainments
whose vision has never been bounded by a mile radius but who looks at all
vital questions from every standpoint and who in his public service has
never allowed partisanship or personal welfare in any way to warp his
judgment concerning the public needs, conditions and opportunities.