Judge James Hooker
East Tawakoni, Rains County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Prominent Hunt County pioneer (1807-1865) Came to Texas 1840. Granted a 640-acre headright by Republic of Texas. Served as commissioner to organize county and locate county seat. First postmaster of Hooker's Mill settlement where he owned area's first steam mill. Town important stop on Clarksville to Austin Road. Represented county in Fourth and Sixth Legislatures. Member of Secession Convention. Buried here on his headright. Recorded - 1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
James Hooker came to Texas in 1840 and received a 640-acre headright from the Republic, helping organize his county and choose its seat. He built the area's first steam mill and served as first postmaster of the Hooker's Mill settlement, an important stop on the Clarksville-to-Austin road. Twice a legislator, he sat in the Secession Convention before his death in 1865 and lies buried on his own land grant.
Why it matters
Hooker's life spans the arc of a frontier founder—Republic-era land grant, mill and mail route, and finally secession—embodying how pioneers built the institutions of a new Texas county.
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Related people
- · James Hooker
Related events
- · Texas Secession Convention
Themes & tags
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