Norman R. Hook, M. D., b. 1842

Dr. Norman R. Hook, physician and surgeon of Oskaloosa, was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1842. His father, Morgan M. Hook, also a native of Waynesburg, was a saddler by trade and in 1853 came to Iowa, at which time he located on a farm in East Garfield township, Mahaska county. He finally took up his abode in Oskaloosa, where he died at the age of seventy-three years. Opposed to the institution of slavery, he advocated the principles of the abolition party in early manhood and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Lappen, was born in Waynesburg and died at the age of seventy-four years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Hook, the eldest in a family of nine children, remained upon the home farm until seventeen years of age and was a student in the country schools. He then attended the old normal school in Oskaloosa until twenty years of age, when in response to his country's call for troops he enlisted in 1862 for the Civil war, becoming a member of Company C, Thirty- third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was mustered out at Davenport on the 10th of August, 1865. He was promoted from the ranks to sergeant, second lieutenant and assistant commissary of musters of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and was in the campaign that resulted in the capture of Spanish Fort and Mobile. He spent a year in the hospital at St. Louis, being ill with pneumonia and was afterwards made steward of the hospital. He also participated in a number of important battles and skirmishes and on all occasions was found faithful to his duty, no matter what the character of the service, realizing that every task faithfully performed by the soldier contributed to the sum total of the success which crowned the Union arms. When the war was over Dr. Hook returned to Oskaloosa and, having in the meantime resolved to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began reading in the office and under the direction of Dr. S. A. Rhinehart, who acted as his preceptor for two years. In fact he had spent one year in his office before enlisting. He afterward spent a year as a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and was licensed to practice in 1866, at which time he opened an office in Fremont, where he remained continuously until 1874, when he pursued a postgraduate course at Keokuk. He remained in Fremont until 1885, at which time he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he spent six years and then took up his abode in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for three years. In 1894 he came to Oskaloosa, where he has now practiced continuously for twelve years. In 1866 Dr. Hook was married to Miss Lucetta J. Kissick, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Kissick. She died in 1873, at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving two children: Charles Wilmer, who is now living in Oskaloosa; and Nellie K., who died at the age of eight years. In 1874 Dr. Hook was again married, his second union being with Florence K. Kissick, a sister of his first wife and a native of Pennsylvania. They had three children: Walter, who is now a clerk in Oskaloosa; William T., employed in a grocery store; and Pearl, who died in infancy. Dr. Hook holds membership relations with the Masonic fraternity and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a democrat in his political views and has been alderman from the second ward, while for two years he served as health officer. He has also been a member of the board of education for three years and gives helpful support to every measure for the general welfare. He also served as a member of the board of education in Fremont and was senior warden in the Masonic lodge while living there. He was post commander of Hamilton Scott post at Fremont and a member of Farragut post at Lincoln, Nebraska. He was likewise medical examiner for the Woodmen in Lincoln and has also been medical examiner for the Woodnien in Oskaloosa. He is a busy and successful practitioner. He is also an industrious and ambitious student. Genial in disposition, unobtrusive and unassuming in manner, he is patient under adverse criticism and in his expressions concerning brother practitioners is friendly and indulgent.

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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906

Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy

Iowa Genealogy

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