Dr.
Forest C. Van Hook, MD (1886 - 1937)
Van Hook (6 ft 295 lbs) was the
first 3-time University of Illinois All-Western in
Football - 1906 - 1907 - 1908 (in
the early 1900's, there were no "All American" designations.
Instead, there were All Eastern and All Western players,
selected by sports writers from the East and Midwest
respectively). He was not
only a great defensive player, but "Van was perhaps the best
offensive guard in our history" ("G"
Huff, Athletic Director of U of I, 1937).
His interest in U of I athletics lasted throughout his lifetime
and he was frequently instrumental in persuading young men to
enroll at the University of Illinois - often to participate in
football or basketball. Van Hook frequently attended U of
I football and basketball games. He always had two
tickets, since he weighed more than 300 lbs.
Forest grew up on a farm outside
of Mt. Pulaski, where he attended a small one-room school.
He graduated from Mt. Pulaski High School in 1904 and went on to
major in science at U of I, playing intercollegiate football and
track all four years.
He graduated with highest honors,
finishing first in his class. Following graduation from U
of I in 1908, Van Hook attended Northwestern Medical School,
where he graduated 2nd in his class in 1912. He interned
two years at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. In 1914, he
returned to Mt. Pulaski where he served at a practicing medical
practitioner for the rest of his life.
He died at a young age of 51 due
to complications of diabetes. He married Marie
Miller in 1916, leaving her and four children - one boy and
three girls. Harry was the son, who also graduated from
the University of Illinois.
Dr. Van Hook belonged to St.
John's Lutheran Church, the Masons, and the Logan County Medical
Society. He also spent many years as president of the Mt.
Pulaski grade school board.
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