William Henry Hooper

Who was William Henry Hooper?

William Henry Hooper was a U.S. Congressional delegate from the Territory of Utah.

Born in Cambridge, Maryland, Hooper attended the common schools. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and moved to Illinois in 1835 and settled in Galena, where he engaged in trade on the Mississippi River. While in Illinois, he became a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a Mormon pioneer and moved to Utah Territory in 1850 and settled in Salt Lake City. Hooper was secretary of Utah Territory in 1857 and 1858.

Hooper was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress, being defeated by John Milton Bernhisel. Hooper served as member of the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1862.

On October 10, 1867, Hooper became a member of the Council of Fifty of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hooper was elected to the Thirty-ninth and to the three succeeding Congresses. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1872 and was succeeded by George Q. Cannon. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and mining operations in Salt Lake City.