Thomas Hook
TRYING TO FIND HOMESTEAD OF HIS RELATIVES
W.H. STARK OF CHICAGO TRYING TO FIND FARM WHERE GRANDFATHER LIVED
W.H. Stark and daughter, of Chicago, were callers at this office last Wednesday. They came to Lowell in the hopes they could find and see the farm on which his grandfather, Thomas Hook, resided in 1842. He lived somewhere in West Creek township, as evidenced by the following letter Mr. Stark found among the papers of his mother, who died about 10 years ago.Mr. Stark is anxious to locate the farm which his grandfather owned and lived on so many years ago. If any of our readers can let us know of any information in regard to it they will confer a favor
Perhaps whoever owns the farm at the present time has an abstract showing the ownership of Mr. Hook.
The letters written nearly 100 years ago follows:
John Hook,
Etchington, near
Thornbury, Glostershier,
England.
West Creek, Lake County, Indiana,
Sept. 5th, A.D. 1842
Dear Father or Brother:
It is now about twelve years since I left my beloved home and came to the United States and have not since heard from you nor written you but once, but I now take the opportunity to say that my health is good and I hope this may meet you enjoying the same. I have but little to write of importance, but full constrained to pray you for an immediate response to this letter that I may know your health and prospects, as well as to know that you are in the world where and how I am. Major Derastus Torrey and I am at farming. I would say to brother William that he missed the line of his interest much when he concluded on staying at home rather than come to America with me, but it is perhaps not yet too late for anyone of you who would better your circumstances to come to this country, and if you are any way inclined so to do I would invite you most heartily to come and see the finest country in the world.
We are situated forty-five miles almost directly south of Chicago, which is the principal port on Lake Michigan.
The lands in this country (the states of Indiana and Illinois) are mostly prairie with some groves of timber, and almost all of it has a deep rich and durable soil producing crops that I presume you would not believe the half if I should state the whole truth respecting them. The prairies are like vast meadows sometimes level, but mostly rolling, rising in gentle swells, covered in the summer with grass and flowers without the least of sticks, stones or shrubs, and watered well with rivers, creeks, and springs.
The price of land here is about seven shilling Eng., per acre. I could write much more about this delightful, though new country, but forbear at present. I should like to know whether George has returned to England or not. If you should ever come into this country I should advise you to come by way of New York and not got into Canada.
Direct your letter to West Creek, Lake County, State of Indiana, N.A., and do not delay.
Thomas Hook.
D. Torrey.
The Major Derastus Torrey mentioned in the letter is supposed to have been the U.S. Land Agent here at that time.
We are informed by older residents that at one time there was a postoffice in West Creek township called "West Creek"
Return to Lowell Biographies.