MAJOR W.F. HOOKER. – This leading citizen of Eastern Washington, whose capacity for public affairs, and whose independence in politics, have become proverbial, is a native of the Palmetto state, having been born at Hookerton, Green county, North Carolina, in 1835. Like all true Southerners, he is proud of his ancestry, his father having been a captain in the war of 1812 and twice a member of the legislature of North Carolina, and a member of the convention which formed the constitution of that state. Young Hooker was educated at Wake-forest College in his native state, and at the age of twenty-two was married to Miss Mary Williams, a graduate of the Salem High School of the same county. He moved to Southern Georgia soon after his marriage, and went into the manufacture of staves and lumber. His business was broken up by the Civil war; and, removing to Florida, he employed himself in farming until 1880.
The Southern country, however, was uncongenial; and he sought a place of somewhat larger ideas and opportunities. He sent three of his children ahead to Washington Territory in the year last-named, and, remaining in order to realize upon the sale of his property, came with his wife and two remaining children to Cheney in 1882.
Since his arrival he has acquired a competency, and with his wife and three sons and two daughters fills an important place in the social circles of the city. He has occupied every office within the gift of the people of Cheney; and his sterling qualities of head and heart have gained for him the full confidence of not only his neighbors, but also the citizens throughout Washington.
