chaplain author Congregationalist minister
He was the son of Elijah and Susanna (Seymour) Hooker, and was born in Kensington Society, Berlin, Connecticut. He was a descendant of Review Thomas Hooker, first minister of Hartford, Connecticut He fitted for college under the direction of Review
Joab Brace, D. D., at Newington, Connecticut and graduated from Yale College in 1815.
During this time he studied theology and was licensed to preach the gospel.
After graduating, he was for about two years Principal of the Hartford Grammar School, from which he was called to be Tutor in Yale College, which office he held from 1817 to 1822. In 1824 he returned to Hartford and became editor of the Connecticut Observer, a religious newspaper, which he conducted with ability for many years. He also held the office of Secretary of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, from 1826, and of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society, from 1831 till his death.
In 1852, he was appointed Chaplain of the Retreat for the Insane, performing the duties of that office until incapacitated by an attack of paralysis in August, 1862.
Foreign several years previous to 1855, he spent his leisure time in the preparation of books for children. Among these were Child"s Book on the Sabbath, The Farmer, Prophets and Prophecy, and four volumes of Scripture Biography.
In connection with Review Doctor Gallaudet, he prepared The Practical Spelling Book, and The School and Family Dictionary.
With the assistance of Review
Doctor Daggett, he selected and arranged the Hymns and Psalms, as set forth by the General Association of Connecticut, in use for twenty years past in most of the Congregational Churches in this State. Mr. Hooker was a clear thinker, and expressed his thoughtfulness in a style remarkable for its neatness and perspicuity. He died in Hartford, December 17, 1864, aged 71 years.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.
