William W. Hooper has been a resident of Kansas thirty-five years and since 1888 had been a practicing lawyer at Leavenworth. He had long ranked among the leaders of the Leavenworth bar, and while studying law he had the good fortune to be associated with as preceptors such eminent jurists as Hon. Edward Stillings and with the firm of Baker & Hook. His subsequent career in the profession had fully justified the confidence reposed in him by his instructors.
Mr. Hooper was born in Fremont, Nebraska, September 12, 1865, and came to Kansas on July 20, 1882. His parents were Richard and Elizabeth (Goodman) Hooper, both now deceased. Richard Hooper was a native of England, came to America when a young man, and spent much of his life as a farmer. As a contractor he at one time had the contract for construction work on the Union Pacific Railway west of Fremont.
One of a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom are still living, William W. Hooper grew up in Nebraska, attended the Fremont public schools and for one winter was in the normal school there. At the age of seventeen he came to Kansas, and at Leavenworth learned telegraphy in the offices of the Union Pacific Railway. His brother-in-law, Leonard Hohl, was at that time chief train dispatcher at Leavenworth. Mr. Hooper continued active in railway work until June, 1890. He was an expert telegrapher, and was given posts of responsibility at various stations. The latter part of his employment as a railroad man was with the Rock Island road.
In 1885 he began the study of law with Hon. Edward Stillings. In 1888 he went into the office of Baker & Hook, and on September 28, 1888, was admitted to the bar. Since then he had been in active practice and had handled a large volume of important litigation.
Mr. Hooper is a democrat in politics, but with the exception of six years as a member of the school board and a time as chairman of the high school committee, had never held office. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and belongs to the Mystic Shrine.
On September 5, 1894, Mr. Hooper married Miss Sarah E. Duke of Leavenworth. They are the parents of three children: Duke W., Paul R. and Meredith Louise.