John Hooker

Born in Farmington, John Hooker was a descendant of Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford.

Early Life

Hooker attended Yale, but after two years fell ill with typhoid fever. To catch up, he studied hard which affected his eyes. In the end he had to abandon his college course.

He went on two sea voyages, to the Mediterranean and China, in pursuit of health. When returning from China his vessel was captured by pirates, but reached home safely.

Lawyer

Hooker returned to Farmington and began to study law. He was admitted to the Hartford County bar in 1841. A year later, Yale conferred a degree upon him.

Hooker originally maintained a law office in Farmington, but eventually moved to Hartford. His law partner was Joseph R. Hawley. In their office, Hooker and other prominent men started the Republican Party in Connecticut.

In 1858, Hooker was appointed recorder of the Supreme Court of Errors, a position he held for 36 years.

Advocate

Hooker was an ardent abolitionist and advocate for women’s suffrage.

With his wife Isabella Beecher, he fought for women’s rights, most notably for the passage of a women’s property bill in Connecticut.

Nook Farm

In 1853, Hooker and his brother-in-law, Francis Gillette, purchased 140 acres on a bend in the Park River. Selling lots to friends and family, the area became a community of intellectuals in Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood.

Known as Nook Farm, notable residents included Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe.