William Hooper (c1825-1896)
William Hooper (c1825-1896)
Born the son of William Hooper
1896 Died. Son of William Hooper, builder and started in that business. Later an architect. Portreeve.[1]
1896 Obituary 'The recent death of Mr. Hooper means a great loss to the neighbourhood. He was a native the town, where he spent the whole of his life, manifesting great interest everything that pertained to its welfare. He was a son the late Mr William Hooper, a builder the place, and his youthful days assisted his father in his business. Later, he commenced business architect, and as such continued active to the time of his death, maintaining a large professional connection, and holding additional stewardship under the Duchy of Cornwall. In public life he was equally energetic. As staunch Conservative politics, and thorough going churchman, he served his party well, and was always amongst the foremost in contests. was ever alive, too, in matters connected with Hatherleigh, and very jealous indeed was he of its reputation. As Portreeve he was at the head of all celebrations, such as the welcoming of Colonel Pearse as the winner of the Queen's prize or the champion of Creedmore, the Jubilee celebration and all such movements. As treasurer of the local Friendly Society, known as the "Fourth of June Club," he managed all its affairs, and in that capacity he will be greatly missed. He was on the Committee in connection with the proposed railway from Torrington to Okehampton, and became one of the guarantors when the Act was applied for. One of the desires his life was that he might live to see the day when the steam engine would pass through old Hatherleigh. A remarkable coincidence in connection with deceased's funeral was that exactly twelve months previous to the day on which the Portreeve was buried he entertained as his guests in celebration of his 70th birthday all his fellow parishioners who were 70 years old and over...'[2]