John Beckett Hooker ^{73,89,102,103}

   Cause of his death was Cerebral Hemorrhage.¹⁰⁹

  General Notes:

John Beckett Hooker enlisted in Missouri's Volunteer Infantry Company, 23rd Regiment on November 21, 1861 (Pvt 23rd MO USV). He was captured in the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862 and was confined in Libby prison for six months. He was mustered out of the service on November 21, 1864.

John Beckett left home to serve in the Civil War the day after his son (John Thomas) was born. This left Margaret to care for the new baby and two older children -- Martha Ann, age 3 years and Andrew, age 21 months.

The John B. Hooker family lived northwest of the North Hooker School house (which was on a part of his farm) in Sullivan County, northwest of Browning, Missouri. The North Hooker School District continued until 1949 when the district became a part of the Linn County R-1 School District and the schoolhouse was sold. Carlyle Bennett was the first teacher to be paid more than $30.00 per month for his/her services. Rosalie McClaren was the last teacher.

Margaret Hooker spun and wove her own clothers and blankets. John B. would take a wagon load of wheat to the mill to be ground into flour, but they had white bread only on Sundays. Other days it was cornbread.

In 1892 the family moved to a farm in Mercer County, Missouri, near Lineville, Iowa, where they lived for about 15 years. Then they moved to South Lineville. John was elected its first mayor and served for several years. He was also justice of the peace.

John Beckett Hooker and Thomas Benton Bowyer were born the same night (May 7, 1837), but as there were no time pieces to mark the hour and minute there has always been a doubt as to which was actually the first white male child born in Linn County.

John Beckett belonged to the Masonic fraternity at Lineville, Iowa and members of this order took part in his funeral exercises at Lineville, Iowa where he was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery.

His funeral was preached in the Mercer Methodist Episcopal Church by Rev. W. E. Kauffman of Princeton. Bro. Kauffman used as a subject for his discourse these scriptural words: "A Prince and a Great Man in Israel has Fallen." The subject was very appropriate, and the preacher portrayed the excellent traits exemplified in the life of John Beckett Hooker.

One story that John Beckett Hooker liked to tell about his experience in prison is as follows. He was one of a number of prisoners herded into a hot seemly airless and extremely crowed cell. On one occasion one prisoner who was a heavy man and really felt the heat, shifted just a little so he could be closer to the window. A guard ordered him back and when he either couldn't or didn't move as fast as the guard thought he ought to, was shot and killed on the spot. They left the body right there the rest of the day.

"The first carpenter to erect a frame building was John Beckett (Hooker), of Linn County, who built George W. Smith's house near the spring."

John Beckett Hooker resided southeast of Lineville, on the Missouri side of the line.
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OBITUARY

Death of J. B. Hooker

John B. Hooker was born in Linn Co., Missouri, May 7, 1837, and is said to have been the first white child born in that county. He grew up to manhood in the community and was married to Margaret R. Hatcher, Jan. 11, 1858. To this union were born eleven children, seven of whom are still living. They are as follows: Martha A. Barrows, Browning, Mo.; John T. Hooker, Linn Co., Mo.; Mary E. Jacobs, Powersville, Mo.; Jerry Hooker; Mada Galliger; and George Hooker; of South Lineville, Mo.; and Mark Hooker, of Colorado.

Mr. Hooker responded to this country's call when men were most needed to defend the flag and enlisted on November 21, 1861, in the 23rd Mo. Inf. He was captured at the Batle of Shiloh, together with other comrades, and was confined to Libby Prison for six months. He was a brave and honorable soldier, as his comrades will testify, and was mustered out of service November 21, 1864.

He was converted many years ago, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, remaining true until his death, which occurred January 20, 1917, in Mercer, Mo.

Twenty-four years ago he moved with his family to a farm southeast of Lineville, which farm is now occupied by his son, George. His first wife died June 18, 1910. Later he was married to Miss Nettie Tullis, who was always very kind to him, and especially caring for him tenderly during his last sickness, which was caused by paralysis, which eventually led to his death.

Mr. Hooker leaves seven children, twenty-seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was a faithful friend, a respected neighbor, and beloved by all. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity at Lineville and members of this order took part in his funeral exercises, especially at Lineville, where he was laid to rest. (Evergreen Cemetery).

His funeral was preached in the Mercer M. E. Church by Rev. W. E. Kauffman of Princeton. Bro. Kauffman used as subject for his discourse these scriptural words: "A Prince and a Great Man in Israel has Fallen." The subject was very appropriate, and the preacher portrayed the excellent traits exemplified in the life of Brother Hooker.
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OBITUARY

An Old Resident of This Place Dies at Mercer Last Saturday -- Brought Here For Burial Sunday

Mr. John B. Hooker, whose serious illness was mentioned in the Tribune several weeks ago, died at his home in Mercer last Saturday after a lingering illness from paralysis, age about 80 years.

Funeral services were held at the Mercer M. E. Church on Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. E. Kauffman of Princeton, after which the remains were brought to Lineville for burial beside the remains of his first wife in Evergreen cemetery the burial ceremonies at this place being conducted by Hiram Abif? Lodge, No. 183 A. F. & A. M. of which the deceased was a member.

John B. Hooker was born in Linn County, Mo., May 7, 1837 and is said to have been the first white child born in that county. He grew up to manhood in the community and was married to Margaret R. Hatcher, Jan. 14, 1858. To this union were born eleven children, seven of whom are still living. They are as follows: Margaret A. Barrows, Browning, Mo., John T. Hooker, Linn County, Mo., Mary E. Jacobs, Powersville, Mo., Jerry Hooker, Mada Galliger and George Hooker of South Lineville, Mo., and Mark Hooker of Colorado.

Mr. Hooker responded to his country's call when men were most needed to defend the flag and enlisted Nov. 21, 1861 in the 23rd Mo. Inf. He was captured at the battle of Shilo(sic), together with other comrades and was confined in Libby Prison for six months. He was a brave and honorable soldier, as his comrades will testify, and was mustered out of service Nov. 21, 1864.

He was converted many years ago and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, remaining true until his death which occurred Jan. 20, 1917 in Mercer, Mo.

Twenty-four years ago he moved with his family to a farm southeast of Lineville, which farm is now occupied by his son, George. His first wife died June 8, 1910. Later he was marred(sic) to Miss Nettie Tullis, who was always very kind to him and especially caring for him tenderly during his last sickness, caused by paralysis, which eventually led to his death.

Mr. Hooker leaves his seven children, twenty-seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was a faithful friend, a respected neighbor, and beloved by all.
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52nd Wedding Anniversary Announcement

On Friday last occurred one of the pleasantest social events in South Lineville. The occasion was the 52nd anniversary of the wedding of our old friends J. B. Hooker and his wife Margaret.

Both bride and groom are of loyal patriotic stock, their ancestors having fought for the liberation of the colonies in the Revoluntary War and again in the War of 1812.

Their parents moved from Tenn. to Missouri in the early days of settlement. The family of J. B. Hooker located in Linn county in 1835. Her J. B. was born May 7, 1837 being the first white male child born in that county. During the war of the Rebellion his father, himself and three brothers enlisted in the Union army and fought valiantly for the perpetuation of the Union.

The family of the bride, Margaret R. Hatcher settled first in Callaway county, then in Sullivan county, near Browning. Here on Jan. 14, 1848(sic), the marriage was consummated. To this union were bron 5 sons and 6 daughters 22 grand children and 1 great granddaughter.

A number of the children and grand children gathered in last Friday with their Pastor F. T. Stevenson and wife and partook of a bountiful dinner. After which Rev. Stevenson conducted devotions, reading the beautiful 91st Psalm from the old family Bible which contained the record of the first Methodist class organized in Sullivan county petitioning our Heavenly Father for His continued care granting them a goodly number more of such happy anniversaries.
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF J. B. HOOKER
March 2, 1915

I, J. B. Hooker, being of sound mind, make this, my last will and testament.

I give and bequeath unto my wife, Nettie Hooker, my residence property in Mercer, Mo, consisting of the dwelling and three lots, described as follows: Commencing at a point 120 feet south and 20 feet west of the north-east corner of the north-west quarter of the south-west quarter of Sec. 19, Township 66, Range 23, thence south 60 feet, thence west 240 feet, thence south 48 feet, thence east 120 feet, to the place of beginning.

I give and bequeath unto my heirs, named herin-after all of my notes, moneys and other personal property, and also my real estate in South Lineville, Mo., which real estate is to be sold by my administrator, and after all debts and expenses for sickness and burial have been paid each of the heirs to receive an equal share of the balance.

The names of my heirs are as follows: Martha A. Barrows, John T. Hooker, Mary E. Jacobs, Jerry M. Hooker, George H. Hooker, Mada Galiger, Mark Hooker, and the children of my daughter Dora Neely, deceased, to represent one heir and to receive in all one share. Said children are named as follows: Ethel Gooch, Alva Neely, Verna Neely, Ocel Brown and Lloyd Neely. The above named children, in receiving the share that belongs to them, to have equal parts.

I select and hereby denominate as my administrator my son George H. Hooker, who shall after my demise have charge of my property, personal and real, and shall see that the provisions of this, my will, are carried out.
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John Beckett was 5 feet 9 inches tall, with light hair and completion, and gray eyes. ⁹⁷

  Death Notes:

79 Days, 8 Months, 13 Days
Time of Death: 1:15pm

  Burial Notes:

Location: Block 3, Row 5, Grave 7

  Life Events:

1. Military: Civil War - Co. F 23rd Missouri Infantry, GAR Post 237. ¹⁰⁷

2. Occupation: Farmer, Soldier, Mayor & Justice of the Peace. ^73,104

3. Organization: Freemason: Lineville, Wayne, Iowa, USA.

4. Church Affiliation: Methodist Episcopal Church.

5. Census, 9 Jul 1860, Sullivan County, Missouri, USA. ¹¹⁰

6. Census: Duncan Township, 16 Jul 1870, Sullivan County, Missouri, USA. ¹¹¹

7. Census: Duncan Township, 18 Jun 1880, Sullivan County, Missouri, USA. ⁷³

8. Census: Somerset Township, 7 Jun 1900, Mercer County, Missouri, USA. ¹¹²

9. Census: North Marion Township (South Lineville), 15 Apr 1910, Mercer, Mercer, Missouri, USA. ¹¹³

John married Margaret Rebecca Hatcher, daughter of John William Crowson Hatcher Sr. and Elizabeth "Liza" Taylor, on 14 Jan 1858 in Sullivan County, Missouri, USA.⁹⁷ (Margaret Rebecca Hatcher was born on 26 Dec 1839 in Milan, Sullivan, Missouri, USA,^{73,105,107,114} died on 18 Jun 1910 in South Lineville, Mercer, Missouri, USA ^106,107,114 and was buried on 20 Jun 1910 in Evergreen Cemetery (Lineville, Wayne, Iowa, USA) ^107,108,114.). The cause of her death was Carcinoma of Stomach.¹⁰⁹

John next married Anzonetta "Nettie" Tullis on 12 Oct 1910 in Princeton, Mercer, Missouri, USA.¹⁰¹ (Anzonetta "Nettie" Tullis was born on 7 May 1837 in Linn County, Missouri, USA, died on 17 Feb 1933 and was buried in Kiowa, Barber, Kansas, USA.)

  Marriage Notes:

Rev. D. H. Harrison