Nevada Genealogy Trails Eureka County W. J. Hooper Biography

W. J. HOOPER, the assessor of Eureka county and one of the best known and most capable mining men in this part of the country, has been a resident of Nevada since childhood, and in the sul«equent twenty-seven years has made himself a prosperous place as a man of affairs. There are few men who understand mining conditions and the mineral resources of the state better than he and he is likewise popular and esteemed in political circles and has received one of the important county offices at the hands of the people.

Mr. Hooper was born in England. April 2, 1864, a son of T. J. and Ellen (May) Hooper, who were both born in England and a year after the birth of their son emigrated to the United States. The former died in Ruby Hill. Nevada, in 1884, at the age of forty years, but his wife is still residing at Ruby Hill. Mr. Hooper was but a baby when he was brought to the new world, and his early training was received in Virginia City and Gold Hill, Nevada. He began working in the mines when a boy, and was employed in the Eureka Consolidated, the Richmond and in all of the large mines of the district at that early day. Mining enterprises have been the principal object of his endeavors all his life, and he knows the business from the ground up, both technically and practically. He is now superintendent of the Jackson mine on Ruby Hill, which has produced over a million dollars worth of gold, silver and lead, and is also superintendent of the Hamburg mine four miles south of Eureka. Mr. Hooper is satisfied that all this part of Eureka county lies in a wonderfully rich mineral belt, and it is only a question of proper management and capital to produce much larger amounts of bullion than have yet been brought to light. He has the reputation in this part of the country of a practical miner, and his judgment is correspondingly respected and much sought.

Mr. Hooper was an ardent Republican up to the time that party was split on the silver issue, and he then became active in the silver movement and was a prominent factor in the organization of the silver party and is still loyal to its principles. In 1900 he was elected assessor of Eureka county, having served as deputy assessor for several years previously, and he has given eminent satisfaction in this office. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Rebekahs. and is a member of the grand lodge of the state; he also affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Hooper was married on February 21, 1889, to Miss Hstella E. Manuel, and three children have come to brighten their home in Eureka county: Richard W., Elsie May and Judson V.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904