Hooker, George Ellsworth, 1861-

George Ellsworth Hooker was born in Peacham, Vermont in 1861. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and graduated in 1883. He then received an LL.B. from Columbia and a B.D. from Yale. Hooker practiced law in New York, served as a Congregationalist minister in Washington State, and then traveled widely in the US and Europe investigating urban conditions. His frequent travel allowed him to combine that interest with his hobby of studying urban problems. After settling in Chicago, he wrote editorials for the Chicago Tribune and was an incorporator (1903), secretary (1903-1908), and civic secretary (after 1908) of the City Club of Chicago, an organization of Chicago business and civic leaders interested in urban development and reform. As Civic Secretary, Hooker had access to all of the civic committees, and thus contributed to nearly all civic projects in Chicago during that time. In 1902, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution commissioning Hooker to gather 'such literature of general interest on Municipal Administration in Europe as he may find it practicable to obtain' and to investigate and report on 'such methods and principles employed in such administration, particularly in dealing with housing, local transportation, open spaces and rapid city expansion, as shall seem to him especially pertinent to the prospective growth of Chicago.' Hooker presented his report, entitled 'Report to the City Council of Chicago on Local Transportation Development in Great Cities,' in February of 1904. Hooker served on a number of commissions on urban problems and civic improvements in Chicago, and he published several works based on these investigations, including Report on Street Railway Franchises of Chicago (1898) and Through Routes for Chicago Steam Railroads (1914). In a publication called 'The Book of Chicagoans,' Hooker listed his favorite recreations as bicycling, tramping, and sailing. He also belonged to the Social Workers' Country Club. A Bull Moose Progressive, Hooker belonged to three fraternities, including Phi Beta Kappa. He never married. A pall bearer at Jane Addams' funeral, Hooker lived at Hull House for nearly forty years. George Hooker died on March 21, 1939. He was eulogized as a prominent expert on city problems both in Chicago and around the world.

From the description of George Ellsworth Hooker City Planning, Transportation and Housing Collection, 1882-1932 (inclusive) (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 707730290

George Ellsworth Hooker, city planning expert and civic leader, was born in Vermont in 1861. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and graduated in 1883. He then received an LL.B. from Columbia and a B.D. from Yale Divinity School in 1890. He then became a pastor in Cheney and Medical Lake. He later moved to Chicago and worked at Hull House from 1899 to 1939. He was active in neighborhood improvement efforts and wrote many articles on ways in which the city of Chicago could improve public services and sanitation. He held several positions, serving as Dean of Hull House, secretary of the City Club of Chicago, and head of a draft board district during World War I. He died in Chicago in 1939.

From the description of [Congregational and Presbyterian Churches of Washington], 1892. (Spokane Public Library). WorldCat record id: 751997018

George Ellsworth Hooker was born in Peacham, Vermont in 1861. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and graduated in 1883. He then received an LL.B. from Columbia and a B.D. from Yale. Hooker practiced law in New York, served as a Congregationalist minister in Washington State, and then traveled widely in the US and Europe investigating urban conditions. His frequent travel allowed him to combine that interest with his hobby of studying urban problems. After settling in Chicago, he wrote editorials for the Chicago Tribune and was an incorporator (1903), secretary (1903-1908), and civic secretary (after 1908) of the City Club of Chicago, an organization of Chicago business and civic leaders interested in urban development and reform. As Civic Secretary, Hooker had access to all of the civic committees, and thus contributed to nearly all civic projects in Chicago during that time.

In 1902, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution commissioning Hooker to gather ‘such literature of general interest on Municipal Administration in Europe as he may find it practicable to obtain’ and to investigate and report on ‘such methods and principles employed in such administration, particularly in dealing with housing, local transportation, open spaces and rapid city expansion, as shall seem to him especially pertinent to the prospective growth of Chicago.’ Hooker presented his report, entitled ‘Report to the City Council of Chicago on Local Transportation Development in Great Cities,’ in February of 1904. Hooker served on a number of commissions on urban problems and civic improvements in Chicago, and he published several works based on these investigations, including Report on Street Railway Franchises of Chicago (1898) and Through Routes for Chicago Steam Railroads (1914).

In a publication called ‘The Book of Chicagoans,’ Hooker listed his favorite recreations as bicycling, tramping, and sailing. He also belonged to the Social Workers’ Country Club. A Bull Moose Progressive, Hooker belonged to three fraternities, including Phi Beta Kappa. He never married. A pall bearer at Jane Addams’ funeral, Hooker lived at Hull House for nearly forty years. George Hooker died on March 21, 1939. He was eulogized as a prominent expert on city problems both in Chicago and around the world.

From the guide to the Hooker, George Ellsworth.City Planning, Transportation and Housing. Collection, 1882-1932, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)