Obituary
Joseph Hooper

 
from 'The Numismatist'  Vol XXXII No 3  March 1919
Again we are called upon to record the death of one of the Old Guard of the American Numismatic Association, one of the oldest collectors in the United States, both in point of age and in the years of his collecting activities, one of the founders of the ANA, as well as one of its ex-Presidents.

Joseph Hooper, an active member of the ANA from the time of its organization until 1912, and an honorary member since that time, died at his home, 80 Emerson street, Rochester, NY, February 16, aged 86 years.

He was born in Plymouth, England, February 19, 1833, and came to this country when a lad of 18. He first located in Rochester, but later went to London, Ont, and Port Hope, Ont, where he had relatives, and at the latter place he established a monument business, which he conducted for many years. During the Civil War, in addition to that business, he was engaged in buying horses and selling them to the United States Government. He retired from active business about sixteen years ago and removed from Port Hope to Rochester.

Mr Hooper was present at the first convention of the ANA, in Chicago, October 7, 1891, and assisted in founding the Association. At that convention he was elected Vice-President, and served until 1898, when he was elected President, and served until 1901. He was elected an honourary member at the Rochester Convention in 1912.

He became interested in coins when a boy, and his love for numismatics continued until his death, although in late years he had not been active. His collection of coins, valued at $15,000, had been gradually disposed of, he retaining only a few of the most cherished specimens. A few years ago he presented to the city of Detroit a collection of ancient Greek coins.

Besides his widow, Mrs Grace Hooper, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs Alexander Duffus of Rochester, and Mrs [Edward] Broadbent of Port Hope, and three sons, John Hooper of Winnipeg, Harry Hooper of Detroit, and William Hooper of Cleveland. The funeral services were held at his late home on Wednesday, February 19, Rev William Kennedy of North Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery.

At a meeting of the Rochester Numismatic Association, of which he was a member, on Tuesday evening, resolutions of sympathy were passed and a committee, consisting of Messrs King, Merritt, Kauffman and Bauer, was appointed, at the request of the family, to act as pallbearers. In addition to those mentioned, a number of other RNA members attended the funeral. Floral tributes from the American Numismatic Association and the RNA were placed on the casket.