St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-08-13
STATE NEWS.
Col. Hooker Dead.

Col. George W. Hooker of Brattleboro
died very suddenly of heart disease at his
home last Wednesday evening. He had
suffered from heart trouble before, but it
was not considered serious. He was
taken suddenly with more violent at
tack and died within few moments. His
son, James F. Hooker, who was attend
ing the Mccullough rally there, was i'm
mediately notified of his fathers illness,
but Col. Hooker was dead before he
could reach home.
Col. Hooker was a man of wide &C.
quaintance and had attained promi-
hence in politics of national as we'll as
state importance. Of late years he had
devoted the greater part of his energies
to the building up of the overall business
of Hooker, Corser & Mitchell, which is
one of Brattleboro's large industries, en-
ploying at the present time 200 hands.
He was president of the State Agricultu-
raj society. the Valley Fair association
of Brattleboro and the State Horse
Breeders association.
George White Hooker, son of Samuel
S. and Esther (White) Hooker, was born
at Salem, N. Y, Feb. 6, 1888. He at
tended the common schools of London.
derry, and his scholastic education was
subsequently supplemented in West
River Academy. Commencing life as
clerk he continued at Londonderry and
at Bellows Falls, and then went to Bos.
ton as travelling salesman. In August,
1861, he enlisted as a private in Co. F,
4th Vt. Vols, and soon after be was made
sergeant.major. In the spring OF 1862
he received the commission of I'd lieuten-
ant, and in the summer that of LIST lieu
tenant. After the battle Of Antietam he
declined captaincy in the line, and was
appointed to the staff of Gen. E. H.
Stoughton. From thence he was after.
ward transferred to that of Gen. George
]. Stannard. In June, 1864, be was ap-
pointed assistant acknowledgement of
volunteers by President Lincoln, and
held that position until mustered out,
with the rank of lieutenant. colonel in
1865. After the triumphant close of the
struggle Col. Booker returned to Boston,
and Travelled through the eastern and
western states. Ia the spring of 1876
he was admitted as junior partner OF
the firm of William Belden & Co., bank
ers and brokers, in New York. In 1876
he removed to Bratteboro, which had
since been his home. In 1878 he was
appointed chief of staff with the rank Of
colonel, by Gov. Proctor. In 1880 he
was gate.at-large to the national
republican convention in Chicago, and in
the same year was chosen member Of
the national republican committee. In
the fall of 1880 he was chosen to repre-
sent the citizens of Brattleboro in the
state legislature, and reelected in 1882
During the first session he was unani
mously elected judge-advocate general O
the legislature. Col. Hooker was chosen
rgeant-at-arms of the House of Repre-
sentatives at the beginning of the Forty
seventh Congress. In 1879 he wa;
elected department commander of thu
Republic in Vermont, and was agar
elected in the following year. He also
received the unusual compliment of nomi
nation for the third term, but positively
declined reelection. He was married OF
the 28th of January, 1868, to Minnie G..
daughter OF James and Love (Ryan
Fiske of Brattleboro. They have on,
son, James Fiske.