User:Gage Thulin/Mathew "Bones" Hooks

Mathew (Bones) Hooks
Mathew Hooks was a African American who built a career as a horse breaker and cowboy. He was one of the first African Americans to work with white people as a cowboy. He built up communities in Texas including one of the first black churches in Texas. He lived a long life and was always helping friends and family along with other organizations until his death but his legacy still lives on today.

Early Life
Mathew was born to former slaves in November 1867 in Robertson County, Texas. At the age of seven he had his first job working for a meat wagon for a butcher, then when he turned nine he began working for Steve Donald, driving a chuckwagon. He was the first black man to work alongside white men as a ranch hand. He remained with Donald until he became an adult.

Career
Mathew had many jobs and yet he also gave back to the communities he was apart of. In his career he was one of the first African Americans to work with white people as a cowboy. He also established one of the first black churches in Texas. He worked to prevent juvenile delinquency and served as a "Range Boss" for the Dogie Club, an organization established for underprivileged black male youths in the city. He became the first black man to serve on the Potter County Grand Jury. He then gained a lot of popularity for sending white flowers to recently deceased pioneers and to others with accomplishments. He sent over 500 single white flowers in his lifetime including one each to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and one each to the 48 countries present at the UN conference in San Francisco. He also sent white flowers to units based out in Texas and to new building built in Amarillo. He was in several pioneer organizations and also helped give details of what the old west was like.

Legacy
Mathew left behind a legacy that is still remembered today for his kindness and for his flowers given at the UN conference in San Francisco. He helped the youth at the Dogie Club, which helped boys play organized sports. He also helped build communities and organizations with pioneers. He will remembered by family and friends as someone who always helped out. Towards the end he gave money to family members and friends that were in need which left him penny less. when he became ill family and friends started a fund to pay him back. Mathew (Bones) Hooks died in Amarillo on February 2, 1951, at the age of eighty-three.