James Farrington Gookins (December 30, 1840 – May 23, 1904) was an American artist. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, where his father, Samuel Gookins, was a lawyer and judge.[1] He attended Wabash College but his education was interrupted by the outbreak of the American Civil War. He joined the 11th Indiana Volunteers under Lew Wallace.[2] During his war service he produced several sketches that were published in Harper's Weekly.[2]

James Farrington Gookins - Portrait of the Artist's Wife - 37.71 - Indianapolis Museum of Art
James Farrington Gookins, Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Indianapolis Museum of Art

After the war he moved to Chicago to pursue art, moved to Europe for a time to study, and then returned to the United States and opened an art school in Indianapolis.[1] Later in life he was involved in organizing the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors' Monument,[3] "designed the lakefront plans for the 1893 Colombian Exposition,"[4] and worked as a civil engineer.[5] He died of a "stroke of apoplexy" in New York City.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Burnet, Mary Quick (1921). Art and Artists of Indiana. Century. pp. 115–118.
  2. ^ a b "Gallery director to give talk on James F. Gookins". The Terre Haute Tribune. 1966-09-16. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  3. ^ "Clipping about James F. Gookins". Indiana Memory. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  4. ^ Tribune-Star, Mike McCormickSpecial to the (2013-03-03). "HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 'On Terre Haute Velvet' by James F. Gookins". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  5. ^ a b "Former Indianan Is Dead: Col. James F. Gookins Passes Away in New York". The South Bend Tribune. 1904-05-24. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-12.