Samuel Hooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Hooper
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts |
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| In office December 2, 1861 – February 14, 1875 |
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| Preceded by | William Appleton |
| Succeeded by | Rufus S. Frost |
| Constituency | 5th district (1861–63) 4th district (1863–75) |
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate | |
| In office 1858 |
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office 1851–1853 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 3, 1808 Marblehead, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1875 (aged 67) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Samuel Hooper (February 3, 1808 – February 14, 1875) was an important businessman and a member of the United States Congress from Massachusetts. He served in Congress during the American Civil War and helped shape the country's finances.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Samuel Hooper was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on February 3, 1808. His father, Robert Hooper, was a successful shipping merchant. He also served as the president of the Grand Bank of Marblehead.
Samuel went to a common school, which was the basic education available at the time. After school, he started working on his father's ships. He traveled as a supercargo, which means he was in charge of the cargo and sales on the ship.
During his travels, Samuel visited many places, including Cuba, Russia, and Spain. These trips helped him learn a lot about trade and business around the world.
In 1832, Samuel Hooper married Ann Sturgis. Her father, William Sturgis, was also a well-known merchant. After his marriage, Samuel became a junior partner in a Boston company called Bryant and Sturgis. This company was involved in trading goods like animal hides from California, and doing business with the Pacific Northwest and China.
Samuel Hooper's Business Career
In 1841, Samuel Hooper started a new business partnership. He teamed up with William Appleton, who owned a counting house (a business that handled money and accounts). Their new company was called William Appleton and Company.
This firm quickly became very busy. They traded hides from California, goods from the Pacific Northwest, and products with China. When Appleton became a member of Congress in 1851, other partners joined the company.
In 1859, William Appleton retired from the business. Hooper then reorganized the company with a new partner, Franklin Gordon Dexter. They changed the name to Samuel Hooper and Company. This company continued to operate even after Samuel Hooper passed away.
A Career in Politics
Samuel Hooper first entered politics in his home state. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served from 1851 to 1853. Later, he also served in the Massachusetts Senate in 1858.
His friend and former business partner, William Appleton, resigned from the United States House of Representatives. Hooper was then elected to take his place, representing Massachusetts's fifth district in the 37th Congress.
Hooper was reelected six more times, serving in Congress for many years. He represented Massachusetts's fourth district during most of this time. He held important leadership roles in Congress.
He was the chairman of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means from 1869 to 1871. This committee handles taxes and government spending. From 1871 to 1873, he led the United States House Committee on Financial Services, which deals with banking and money. He also chaired the United States House Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures from 1871 to 1875. This committee worked on currency and measurement standards.
During the American Civil War, from 1861 to 1862, Hooper's home in Washington D.C. was used as the headquarters for General George B. McClellan. In 1866, Hooper was a delegate to the Philadelphia Loyalists' Convention, a meeting of people who supported the Union.
Samuel Hooper decided not to run for reelection to the 44th Congress. He passed away on February 14, 1875, less than a month before his final term in Congress ended. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Hooper was briefly related by marriage to Charles Sumner. Sumner was a very powerful senator from Massachusetts.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Samuel Hooper was also known for his generosity. In 1865, he gave a large gift of $50,000 to Harvard University. This money helped to start the Hooper School of Mining and Practical Geology. This school taught students about mining and the study of the Earth.
His gift also created the Sturgis Hooper Professorship in Geology. This special teaching position was named in honor of Hooper's son, Sturgis, who had passed away. In 1881, Hooper's widow gave an additional $30,000 to support this professorship.
The city of Hooper, Nebraska, was named after him, recognizing his contributions.
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)
