Fayette County Genealogy ProjectThomas HOOPER (I) Thomas Hooper, born in England, was a man of education and superior mechanical intelligence. He was a mine foreman in England until 1881, when he came to the United States, locating in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he was a valued employee of the H. C. Frick Coal & Coke Company. He met his death through injury at the Leith mine, October 5, 1895. Both Mr. Hooper and his wife were members of the Established Church of England (Episcopal). He married, in England, Maria Richards, who died March, 1907. Children: I. William R. 2. Thomas J., of whom further. 3. Sidney J. 4. Anna M., married Harry White, now of San Antonio, Texas. 5. Beatrice E., married John H. May, of Youngwood, Pennsylvania. 6. Edith, married Charles Harford, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 7. Leah, deceased, married F. H. Detwiler. (II) Thomas J., second son of Thomas and Maria (Richards) Hooper, was born in London, England, February 12, 1866. He was educated in the Zetland public school of Yorkshire and chose a mechanical life. At the age of eighteen years he came to the United States (1884), following his parents, who came in 1881. He finally located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where for two years he was engaged in the shoe business. he later came to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the same business about five years as a salesman. He then located in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, entering the employ of Johnston & Norris of that city as a salesman. He continued with that firm about ten years when opportunity offering he purchased the interest of Lloyd Johnston and became junior member of the firm of Norris & Hooper. The firm continued in successful business until September, 1910, when it was dissolved, Mr. Norris retiring and W. R. Long purchasing his interest, becoming junior member of Hooper & Long. The store does a strictly retail business and is a well known, thoroughly established concern, ranking high in public favor. Mr. Hooper is a Republican in politics and has served his city as councilman and as school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is the present (1912) worshipful master of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 346, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a companion of the Connellsville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and a Knights Templar of Uniontown Commandery. In the Scottish Rite he has attainted the thirty-second degree, belonging to Uniontown Lodge of Perfection and Pittsburg Consistory. He married, January 14, 1889, Rachel E. Cropp, born in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Cropp, of Dunbar township. Children: 1. Albert J., born October 31, 1890; educated in public schools and business college; now engaged with his father in the shoe business. 2. Clarence T., born July 15, 1892; a medical student at the Jefferson Medical School, Philadelphia. 3. Bertha M., born October 19, 1895. 4. Robert, born July 8, 1900. 5. Sarah, born February 10, 1903. 6. Ella Belle, born August 28, 1905, died March 31, 1909. Source: New York |