Thomas Williamson Hooper
Born: November 2, 1880 (Selma, Alabama)
Died: October 15, 1954 (Richmond, Virginia)
Background
Brother Thomas “Tom” Williamson Hooper was born in Selma, Alabama to the Rev. Thomas Williamson Hooper, D.D. and his wife Miss Letitia Johnson. While not born in Virginia, both of Tom’s parents were originally from the State with his father being from Hanover County and his mother being from Bedford. The family would relocate to Christiansburg, Virginia when he was 8.
He attended a private school in Christiansburg until 1987 when he began studies at Hampden-Sidney College where he received his B.A. Degree in 1900 and the Degree of Bachelor of Science in 1901. Following this he was a Fellow in the college for the session of 1900-1901. Upon completion of this part of his formal education Brother Hooper taught in Hoge Military Academy at Blackstone, Virginia from 1901-1902. Remaining involved in the profession of teaching, he was on the staff at Fredericksburg college from 1902-1904. However, during the Fall term of 1904 he entered Union Theological Seminary, in Richmond, and received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree by 1907. He was licensed and ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church by Montgomery Presbytery in 1907 and continued that calling until the time of his death in 1954.
Start of his Masonic Career
Brother Hooper was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on 12/27/1904, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft 12/29/1904, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason’s in McDaniel Lodge, No. 86, at Christiansburg, VA, on December 30, 1904. Thereafter he withdrew from McDaniel Lodge around 1907, but affiliated with Fairfax Lodge, No. 43, on 2/14/1908 and also Stevens Lodge, No. 169, Brandy Station, Virginia, 10/8/1908 and was elected as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in the same year. He was elected from the floor under a dispensation issued by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Jos. W. Eggleston. He was also affiliated with Haymarket Lodge No. 313 on, or around, 1912, and withdrew in 1917. He was made an honorary member of both Haymarket Lodge, 1911, and McDaniel Lodge, 1934.
Brother Hooper was made a Royal Arch Mason in Fairfax Chapter, No. 13, at Culpeper on May 15, 1911, and was elected High Priest of that Chapter the same year.
He was created a Sir Knight in the commandery at Fredericksburg on March 23, 1911, and served as Commander of Fairfax Commandery, of Culpeper in 1914.
Military Career
In 1917 Brother Hooper entered the United States Army and achieved a notable military record as a Captain of Infantry in command of Co. K, 319th Infantry. He took part in the St. Mihiel Offensive and one phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as company commander and in the second and third phases of that offensive as commanding officer of the Third Battalion of the 319th Infantry. His period of military service began in August 1917 and terminated in July 1919.
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Brother Hooper was elected to the office of Grand Master of Masons in Virginia on February 14, 1935, and installed into that high office by Most Worshipful Ed. N. Eubank, being presented by members of Fairfax Lodge, No. 43, of Culpeper, McDaniel Lodge, No. 86, of Christiansburg, and Stevens Lodge, No. 69, of Brandy Station. Wor. E.J. Nottingham, on behalf of Stevens, presented him with his official hat, Rt. Wor. R. Milo Taylor, McDaniel, a traveling case, and Rt. Wor. Robert E. Mill, Fairfax, a case of silver.
A few highlights of his year as Most Worshipful Grand Master:
June 10, 1935, assisted by Grand Lodge, he laid the corner-stone of the Administration Building of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI aka Virginia Tech), in the presence of a very large gathering.
May 31, with the assistance of Reedville Lodge, he laid the cornerstone of Afton Methodist Protestant Church.
June 22, the Second Annual Masonic Home Day was held. While the attendance was not very large, everybody seemed to have enjoyed the occasion. Our Grand Master, MW TWH was present and helped in many ways to make the day a success.
December 7, called to lay the foundation stone of the infirmary building which was being erected at the masonic home of VA. MW, assisted by the Grand Officers, laid the stone after the ancient manner of freemasons using the same trowel that was used by President George Washington when he laid the foundation stone of the national capitol building in Washington, 9/18/1793. A picture of MW TW Hooper breaking ground 11/25/1935 was placed in the cornerstone along with other items.
One other notable accomplishment by Brother Hooper came during his year as Deputy Grand Master when he designed what we now commonly refer to as the Veteran Button for 50-year members. At the time it was only for Masons who were created in the State of Virginia, but quickly encompassed any Mason in the State regardless of where they were made a Mason.
Right Eminent Grand Commander
Brother Hooper was appointed to the position of Grand Warder in 1936 by SK Fitzhugh Lee Grimstead. At the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Virginia, held in Lynchburg in 1943, Brother Hooper was elected and installed as Grand Commander of that body, serving it with distinction.
A few notable highlights of his year as Grand Commander:
- Visited every Commandery; extended wise and constructive counsel.
- Decision 2, balloting on more than one petition at a time to receive the Orders.
- Sent special letters to 286 newly created knights
- Conferred the orders at Malta No. 24 with assistance of Grice Commandery 16.
On his way out of Office as Grand Commander the Jurisprudence Committee had the following remarks:
“Grand Commander Thomas Williamson Hooper can long enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that his Grand Conclave, held during a year of world conflict and great trials and sacrifice, has added something of real and lasting spiritual value to the Order of the Christian Knighthood in Virginia and the Nation.”
-Chalmers Lowell Pancoast, PGC NY
After serving his term as Grand Commander, among other duties, Sir Knight Thomas W. Hooper, Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1944, and Sir Knight William M. Brown, Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1935, both avid Masonic historic authors, summarized “words of wisdom” gleaned from Grand Commanderies and Grand Officers of Sister Jurisdictions during the late 1940s and 1950s. That summarization attested to Templar’s growth not only in Virginia but growth throughout the Grand Encampment U.S.A. During the 1940s – 1960s period, most Commanderies rejoiced in net gains in membership and, more importantly, the rise in emphasis on spirituality in Templar Masonry. Commanders were forced to shorten their conclaves and place opportunities which the expectations of returning veterans placed on fraternal and brotherly friendships. Templars like most Masons do not read available literature on Masonry or Templary but do enjoy positive and informative programs about occasions of importance and do respond to constructive work, planning, and rehearsal.
Most Excellent Grand High Priest
In 1945 he was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Virginia and duly installed into that office by Mt. Ex. Charles E. Webber. With this office, Brother Hooper became only one of 3 Virginia Masons living at that time to enjoy the distinction of serving in all three of the York Rite Bodies. The other two were Most Worshipful William Moseley Brown and Most Worshipful Charles Vernon Eddy.
Scottish Rite
Brother Hooper was also a member of the Richmond Scottish Rite Bodies and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree on October 23, 1953, in Washington.
Passing
Brother Hooper was well known throughout the state of Virginia and was said to have more friends than any other man of the day. He was admired for his keen wit, his ready word, and his great and sincere love for his fellowmen. One of Nature’s noblemen, he was great in his humility.
On Friday, October 15, 1954, Brother Hooper laid down his working tools in Richmond, Virginia. Today Brother Hooper rests in his beloved Culpeper, Virginia where he served as minister of the Culpeper Presbyterian Church for 47 years as a spiritual advisor and beloved citizen to his fellow townsmen.
References:
Marie Barnett, Library of the Grand Lodge of Virginia
1954 Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Virginia.
Masonic Digital Archives – Grand Lodge of Virginia Website
Proceedings of the Virginia Grand Lodge, 1934
Proceedings of the Virginia Grand Lodge, 1935
Proceedings of the Virginia Grand Lodge, 1955
Proceedings of Knights Templar of Virginia, 1944
Proceedings of Knights Templar of Virginia, 1955
By: SK D. Cole David, New River Valley Commandery
