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'''Henry Clay Hooker''' (1828–1907) formed the first American ranch in Arizona Territory. He became a prominent and wealthy [[rancher]] of the [[United States|American]] during the American [[Old West]] and was a personal friend of [[Wyatt Earp]]. |
'''Henry Clay Hooker''' (1828–1907) formed the first American ranch in Arizona Territory. He became a prominent and wealthy [[rancher]] of the [[United States|American]] during the American [[Old West]] and was a personal friend of [[Wyatt Earp]]. |
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==Early life== |
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Henry Clay Hooker was born January 10, 1828 in [[Hinsdale, New Hampshire]].<ref name="hooker">{{cite book |title= The Descendants of Rev. Thomas Hooker, Hartford, Connecticut, 1586-1908 |author= Edward Hooker |coauthors= Margaret Huntington Hooker |year= 1909 |publisher= [[Harvard University]] |pages= 221–222, 360–361 |url= http://books.google.com/?id=r17mNhtcPRwC&pg=PA361 }}</ref> |
Henry Clay Hooker was born January 10, 1828 in [[Hinsdale, New Hampshire]].<ref name="hooker">{{cite book |title= The Descendants of Rev. Thomas Hooker, Hartford, Connecticut, 1586-1908 |author= Edward Hooker |coauthors= Margaret Huntington Hooker |year= 1909 |publisher= [[Harvard University]] |pages= 221–222, 360–361 |url= http://books.google.com/?id=r17mNhtcPRwC&pg=PA361 }}</ref> His father was Henry Hooker (1791–1885), a descendant of early [[New England]] leader [[Thomas Hooker]] (1586–1647). His mother was Mary Daggett. He was sixth out of 11 children. |
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His father was Henry Hooker (1791–1885), a descendant of early [[New England]] leader [[Thomas Hooker]] (1586–1647). His mother was Mary Daggett. He was sixth out of 11 children. He married Elizabeth Rockwell on December 23, 1837 at [[Erie, Pennsylvania]]. |
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| ⚫ | In 1848 he traveled to [[New York]] |
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| ⚫ | He married Elizabeth Rockwell on December 23, 1837 at [[Erie, Pennsylvania]]. In 1848 he traveled to [[New York]] and to [[Kansas City, Missouri]] in 1849. He worked for the Indian Department until 1852, then went to [[El Dorado County, California]] in the [[California Gold Rush]]. After trying his hand at mining, Henry moved to Hangtown, California (later re-named [[Placerville, California|Placerville]]), in the 1860’s. Henry started a mercantile business and sold supplies to the miners. Once in a while Henry would buy and drive cattle over the Sierra, to sell to the miners in Carson City or Genoa, Nevada. His business flourished and Henry married Elizabeth Rockwell.<ref name=trivia/> |
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Hooker, sometimes referred to as "Colonel Hooker", owned and operated the [[Sierra Bonita Ranch]], located in [[Graham County, Arizona|Graham]] and [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise Counties]], first established in 1872. From the time his ranch was established it was the largest in [[Arizona]], starting at {{convert|800|acre|km2}}. The ranch is now listed as a [[National Historic Landmark]], due to it having been the first permanent ranch established in Arizona. Hooker first ventured into Arizona Territory in 1867, and quickly became the most important military beef contractor in Arizona. In 1872, when one of his herds of cattle [[stampede]]d into the [[Sulphur Springs Valley]], near what would become [[Willcox, Arizona]], Hooker was impressed by the valley, and chose it to erect his ranch. During that time, Hooker averaged 15,500 head of cattle. Shortly after establishing the ranch, Hooker erected a small [[adobe]] [[fort]] to fend off regular attacks and raids by the local [[Apache]], which initially cost him numerous losses, both in personnel and equipment. |
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On August 10, 1865 a fire destroyed much of Hangtown including Hooker's business. Henry and his family survived with only (or about ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|1000|1865|r=-2}}}} in today's dollars) $1,000.00 which Henry had stashed away.<ref name=trivia>{{cite web|title=Henry Clay Hooker|url=http://nevadatrivia.com/nevada-history/henry-clay-hooker/|accessdate=7 January 2014}}</ref> |
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Hooker, for a time, employed [[Billy the Kid]], who at the time was unknown, that being prior to the [[Lincoln County War]]. Hooker was a supporter of the Earp faction, and assisted them with allowing them the use of his [[ranch]] and supplies during the [[Earp vendetta ride]]. Hooker was a prominent figure in the events that played out in [[Arizona]] during the late 19th century. However, little is known of his life prior to the events involving the Earp-Cowboys clash. It is confirmed that he served during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], on the side of the [[Union Army|Union]], possibly as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]], but the latter is not confirmed. He survived the disastrous [[drought]] of 1891, and shortly thereafter formed the Sierra Bonita Land and Stock Company, and extended his ranch to {{convert|250000|acre|km2}}, supporting 20,000 head of cattle. He died December 5, 1907, on his ranch, and at the time of his death he was the wealthiest rancher in Arizona. The Sierra Bonita Ranch remains in the Hooker family to the present day.{{When|date=February 2011}} |
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he became a merchant in [[Placerville, California]] until 1866.<ref name="hooker"/> He served in the [[Union Army]], possibly as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]], during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].{{cn}} |
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== Founds Sierra Bonita Ranch == |
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{{main|Sierra Bonita Ranch}} |
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Hooker arrived in the [[Arizona Territory]] in 1867. He built up a cattle operation supplying beef to the military. Hooker and his men pastured up to 15,500 head annually in the [[Sulphur Springs Valley]], near what would become [[Willcox, Arizona]]. Hooker was impressed by the valley, and chose it to build a ranch there.<ref name=cowbelles>{{cite web|title=Willcox Cowbelles Ranch History display|url=http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/article_cb984cd4-56ee-11e3-8770-001a4bcf887a.html|publisher=Wilcox Range News|date=27 November, 2013 |accessdate=7 January 2014}}</ref> |
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Hooker, sometimes referred to as "Colonel Hooker", built the [[Sierra Bonita Ranch]] in 1872 on the site of a former Spanish hacienda in Sulphur Spring Valley that had been destroyed by the [[Apache|Apache Indians]] in the early 19th century. The main ranch house was {{convert|80|ft|m}} by {{convert|100|ft|m}}. The ranch eventually included lands in [[Graham County, Arizona|Graham]] and [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise Counties]]. From the time his ranch was established it was the largest in [[Arizona]], starting at {{convert|800|acre|km2}}. |
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Soon after establishing the ranch, Hooker erected a small [[adobe]] [[fort]] to fend off raids by the local [[Apache]]. They initially cost him numerous losses, both in personnel and equipment. |
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Hooker built a sound operation and was one of the few Arizona ranchers to survive a disastrous drought in 1891, which killed over half the cattle due in part to severe overgrazing. Efforts to restore the rangeland between 1905 and 1934 had limited success, but ranching continued on a smaller scale.<ref name=sayre>Nathan Sayre, "The Cattle Boom in Southern Arizona: Towards A Critical Political Ecology," ''Journal of the Southwest,'' (1999) 41#2 pp 239-271</ref> After the 1891 drought, he formed the Sierra Bonita Land and Stock Company, which extended ranching operations to {{convert|250000|acre|km2}} supporting 20,000 head of cattle. |
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== Associates == |
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Hooker hired [[Billy the Kid]] before the became famous during the [[Lincoln County War]]. Hooker, like many ranchers and businessmen, supported the lawmen [[Virgil Earp|Virgil]] and [[Wyatt Earp]]. After the [{Earp Vendetta Ride]] Hooker hosted the Earps and their companions on their way out of the Arizona Territory.<ref name=cowbelles/> |
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He died December 5, 1907 on his ranch. At the time of his death he was the wealthiest rancher in Arizona. The Sierra Bonita Ranch remains in the Hooker family to the present day.{{When|date=February 2011}} |
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His children were Ida M. Hooker born May 3, 1858, Edwin R. Hooker born February 27, 1861, and Joseph M. Hooker who married Laura Butler Coffin on November 14, 1906.<ref name="hooker"/> |
His children were Ida M. Hooker born May 3, 1858, Edwin R. Hooker born February 27, 1861, and Joseph M. Hooker who married Laura Butler Coffin on November 14, 1906.<ref name="hooker"/> |
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The ranch is now listed as a [[National Historic Landmark]] because it was the first permanent ranch established in Arizona. |
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==Popular culture== |
==Popular culture== |
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Revision as of 05:47, 7 January 2014
Henry C. Hooker | |
|---|---|
 Henry Hooker | |
| Born | Henry Clay Hooker January 10, 1828 |
| Died | December 5, 1907 (aged 79) Sierra Bonita Ranch, Cochise County, Arizona Territory, U.S.A. |
| Occupation | Rancher |
| Years active | 1872–1907 |
| Known for | founder of the Sierra Bonita Ranch, first American cattle ranch in Arizona |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Rockwell |
| Children | Ida M., Edwin R., and Joseph M |
Henry Clay Hooker (1828–1907) formed the first American ranch in Arizona Territory. He became a prominent and wealthy rancher of the American during the American Old West and was a personal friend of Wyatt Earp.
Early life
Henry Clay Hooker was born January 10, 1828 in Hinsdale, New Hampshire.[1] His father was Henry Hooker (1791–1885), a descendant of early New England leader Thomas Hooker (1586–1647). His mother was Mary Daggett. He was sixth out of 11 children.
He married Elizabeth Rockwell on December 23, 1837 at Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1848 he traveled to New York and to Kansas City, Missouri in 1849. He worked for the Indian Department until 1852, then went to El Dorado County, California in the California Gold Rush. After trying his hand at mining, Henry moved to Hangtown, California (later re-named Placerville), in the 1860’s. Henry started a mercantile business and sold supplies to the miners. Once in a while Henry would buy and drive cattle over the Sierra, to sell to the miners in Carson City or Genoa, Nevada. His business flourished and Henry married Elizabeth Rockwell.[2]
On August 10, 1865 a fire destroyed much of Hangtown including Hooker's business. Henry and his family survived with only (or about $19,900 in today's dollars) $1,000.00 which Henry had stashed away.[2]
he became a merchant in Placerville, California until 1866.[1] He served in the Union Army, possibly as a Lieutenant Colonel, during the Civil War.[citation needed]
Founds Sierra Bonita Ranch
Hooker arrived in the Arizona Territory in 1867. He built up a cattle operation supplying beef to the military. Hooker and his men pastured up to 15,500 head annually in the Sulphur Springs Valley, near what would become Willcox, Arizona. Hooker was impressed by the valley, and chose it to build a ranch there.[3]
Hooker, sometimes referred to as "Colonel Hooker", built the Sierra Bonita Ranch in 1872 on the site of a former Spanish hacienda in Sulphur Spring Valley that had been destroyed by the Apache Indians in the early 19th century. The main ranch house was 80 feet (24 m) by 100 feet (30 m). The ranch eventually included lands in Graham and Cochise Counties. From the time his ranch was established it was the largest in Arizona, starting at 800 acres (3.2 km2).
Soon after establishing the ranch, Hooker erected a small adobe fort to fend off raids by the local Apache. They initially cost him numerous losses, both in personnel and equipment.
Hooker built a sound operation and was one of the few Arizona ranchers to survive a disastrous drought in 1891, which killed over half the cattle due in part to severe overgrazing. Efforts to restore the rangeland between 1905 and 1934 had limited success, but ranching continued on a smaller scale.[4] After the 1891 drought, he formed the Sierra Bonita Land and Stock Company, which extended ranching operations to 250,000 acres (1,000 km2) supporting 20,000 head of cattle.
Associates
Hooker hired Billy the Kid before the became famous during the Lincoln County War. Hooker, like many ranchers and businessmen, supported the lawmen Virgil and Wyatt Earp. After the [{Earp Vendetta Ride]] Hooker hosted the Earps and their companions on their way out of the Arizona Territory.[3]
He died December 5, 1907 on his ranch. At the time of his death he was the wealthiest rancher in Arizona. The Sierra Bonita Ranch remains in the Hooker family to the present day.[when?]
His children were Ida M. Hooker born May 3, 1858, Edwin R. Hooker born February 27, 1861, and Joseph M. Hooker who married Laura Butler Coffin on November 14, 1906.[1]
The ranch is now listed as a National Historic Landmark because it was the first permanent ranch established in Arizona.
Popular culture
In the 1993 film Tombstone, Hooker was portrayed by actor Charlton Heston. Hooker also had a book written about him, by author Lynn R. Bailey, titled Henry Clay Hooker and the Sierra Bonita.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Edward Hooker (1909). The Descendants of Rev. Thomas Hooker, Hartford, Connecticut, 1586-1908. Harvard University. pp. 221–222, 360–361.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Henry Clay Hooker". Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Willcox Cowbelles Ranch History display". Wilcox Range News. 27 November, 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Nathan Sayre, "The Cattle Boom in Southern Arizona: Towards A Critical Political Ecology," Journal of the Southwest, (1999) 41#2 pp 239-271