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Below is a sample of a family biography
included in the Biographical and Historical
Memoirs of Miller, Arkansas published by Goodspeed in 1890.
These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing
ancestors or filling in the details in a family tree. Family biographies often
include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.
Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place
of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including
maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if
married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service,
church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often
ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical
record.
William J. Hooper has been identified with the agricultural
affairs of Miller County since his twenty-first year, and during this time he
has proved himself to be a thoroughly reliable and substantial citizen, as
well as an honest and upright man. A brief sketch of his life will be read
with interest. He first opened his eyes to the light of this world on May 10,
1835, in Perry County, Tenn., being the third of eight children, four of whom
are still living (three in Cass County, Tex., and our subject in Miller
County, Ark.), born to the union of Dempsey and Rosanna (Roberts) Hooper,
natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively The father died in Cass
County, Tex., in 1878, in his seventy-second year. Their marriage was
consummated in Ferry County, Tenn., and there they made their home until 1849,
when they moved to Rusk County, Tex., where the wife passed away the same year
at the age of thirty-five, and after her death the father moved to Cass
County, where he made his home for the balance of his life. He was a general
mechanic, a fine blacksmith and woodworker, and manufactured farm implements,
wagons, etc., in connection with which he also carried on farming operations
quite extensively. He prospered greatly, and at the time of his death owned
considerable valuable property, mostly located about two miles northeast of
where Queen City now stands. After the death of his wife he went back to Perry
County, Tenn., and there married Miss Mary Ann Pomeroy, and together they
returned to their home in Cass County, Tex., where she passed from life in
1854. He remained a widower for some time after his wife’s death, but finally
succumbed to the charms of Mrs. Jane (Sams) Mooney, a widow lady, who survives
him. To his second marriage one daughter was born, but she has since died. The
last marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, all of whom are still
living. William J. Hooper passed his school days in Perry County, Tenn., and
Rusk County, Tex. In 1857 he came to Miller County, Ark., and located on the
farm where he now lives, which was then an unbroken forest abounding with
wolves, bears, panthers and other wild animals. He courageously set to work to
clear this place, and now has for his pains a splendid farm of 320 acres in
Arkansas and 100 acres in Texas, just across the river, with eighty acres
prepared for cultivation. His farm is well improved, with a handsome
residence, good barns, etc. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and
held that office for one term. In January, 1861, he joined the Nineteenth
Texas Confederate Infantry, and served until June, 1865, surrendering at
Hempstead, on the Brazos River, in Texas. During most of his service he was a
teamster, and participated in the battles of Jenkins’ Ferry and Mansfield. At
the close of the war he had nothing but his wife and children, and since then
has been very successful. His wife, to whom he was married on October 19,
1856, was formerly Miss Frances Allen; she was born in Cobb County, Ga., on
May 28, 1840. They are the parents of eight children, the oldest of whom,
Dempsey J., died in his eleventh year. Those still living are: William N. (a
prominent physician of Hughes Spring, Cass County, Tex.), James H. (a
prosperous farmer of Miller County), Belle Zora (wife of John V. Graves, a
farmer of Caddo Parish, La.), Samuel E. (a teacher of Cass County, Tex.), and
Preston L., Cora E., and Podie (at home). Mr. Hooper is a Royal Arch Mason,
socially, and politically a stanch Democrat, and both he and wife are members
of the Missionary Baptist Church.
This family biography is one of 35 biographies
included in the Biographical and
Historical Memoirs of Miller County, Arkansas published
in 1890. For the complete description, click here:
Miller County Arkansas History, Genealogy
and Maps
View additional Miller County, Arkansas
biographies here:
Miller County, Arkansas Genealogy
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