Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1924-12-18
JAS. ID. HOOPER DIES AT
HIS HOME IN THIS PLACE

The funeral of Mr.. j. D. Hooper
whose death occurred at his home
here Saturday morning at 7 o'clock,
was held Sunday afternoon at 2
O'Clock from the residence. A quar-
tet composed of Messrs. p. G. Ball,
f. M Kahler, Fred Mcdonald and E.
r. Arrick, sang two selections-Rock
of Ages and Going Down the Val
ley. These songs, as well as other
arrangements for the funeral We're
by request of the deceased The
pail bearers were Messrs. w. II. Dew
tit, VIM. White, Irven Travis, j. w.
Cunningham, c. F. Siler and I. j.
Bailey Interment was made in the
McConnelsville cemetery. Outside
persons in attendance at the funeral
were Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Bonifield
of GAINESVILLE. A sketch which had
been prepared by the deceased him
self and which is published at his re-
quest, was read at the funeral SER
vice by DR.. j. B. Naylor Of Malta. 1t
was as follows:
James Dewitt Hooper was born
March S, 1847, on a farm in Melgs-
Vile township, Morgan county, o.,
and died Dec. 13, 1924, aged n
years, 8 months and days. He was
a son of William and Jane Bolen
Hooper, the second son of family
of nine children, four daughters ana
five sons, all deceased excepting
Freeman Hooper. He received his
education in the country schools
which he has often been heard to say
were rude affairs compared to the
facilities of learning in our schools
of today. His father being poor, it re-
quired him to go to work away from
home most of his time after he was
IL years of age. In the meantime he
had accumulated enough money TO
buy farm in Meigsville township.
On Dec. 16, 1875, he was married
to Mary E. Wilson, the youngest
daughter of the late James K. and
Annie Dewitt Wilson To this union
were born six children: Howard B..
of McConnelsville, DeEtta Bonifleld
(deceased), GAINESVILLE; Annie Sci
ber, McConnelsyille; William w.
and Russell d. of Meigsville, and
Mamie B. Bonifield, GAINESVILLE.
Mr.. Hooper after marriage con-
tinued to reside in Meigsyille town
ship and accumulated more land
until the year 1917, when poor
health caused him to give up the
farm and retire in McConnelsville,
where he has since resided. Father
Hooper was progressive man,
a strong advocate of education. He
served nine years as member or the
board of education of his native
township; helped to build anew all
the school houses and secured the
first great increase in the teachers
n CO
"The school teachers are our sayiors
and education is the hope of our ma
ton
Our departed had a well cultured
mind. He was one who took great
pleasure in the investigation OF
truth. He was an admirer of ma
unchanging principles of the uni
verse. His mind was unusually
clear, and his reasoning powers Of
the highest order. He was singular
ly free from the blight of supersti-
early education. He was fair and
candid in an eminent degree. He
accepted, like an honest man, what
his reason approved He was no
slave to mistaken dogmas, antique
His mind scared into the realms OF
truth. He accepted the teachings of
science as the most reliable facts
within the grasp of the human mind
He was untrammeled by the chains
of priestly creeds and fables. He
sought to know the truth and the
right, and he embraced them with
the full ardor of his nature.
lfc, txyno
honesty, integrity and true morality
His aim was to discharge every duty
that devolved upon him, to aid his
fellow men as far as circumstances
would allow, and to do injury to
none. His life was one of good mo-
tives and good deeds. His conduct
was squared by the highest princi-
pies of right, of justice. and of truth.
He was a kind, indulgent husband,
an affectionate, watchful parent, a
warm devoted friend, amiable in his
intercourse with his fellow men, re-
spectful of the rights and feelings of
others, and attentive to all who had
claims upon him.
Mr.. Hooper never allied himself to
any church, but he wrote the follow
ing article and wished to have read
at his funeral: my creed: l believe
that this is the most beautiful world
In all the universe, that, at its best,
lit is better than any of the heavens
of any of the creeds, while, at its
worst, it is superior to any hell thus
far invented, hence we should try TO
stick around as long as we can get
anything like an even break ] be-
lieve that things which are natural
are better than those which are su-
pernatural; that all things are or
dered, and that all the tears,
prayers, and supplications from the
dawn Of time till the crack of doom,
never have swerved, nor will they
ever swerve, the law one hairs
breadth. / believe that love and
Friendship are realities, which those
who seek with eyes open always can
find, and always keep-if they do
not ask too much. / believe that to
be honest with ones self is good for
the conscience-aye, better than
prayer. / believe that clean blood,
a brave heart, sound mind, a good
digestion, and responsive muscles
are better than fetiches, old and
new. / believe that the angels or the
earth are more beautiful than any
of the winged ones ever painted Dy
the hands Of masters; whilst earth's
devils are no worse than those in
vented by fanatics and can be exor-
cised, If the judge be just, and the
jury square. / believe that the
sparkling eyes, milk and blood
cheeks, and sweet voice of the one
you love. the prattle of children,