Hooley was born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, and educated in Manchester before first coming to the United States in 1844.

[1][2][3] About 1870, Hooley, in partnership with L. B. Bryan, purchased Van Bergen's Hall, on the Dator Block, in Madison, Wisconsin, in a deal with George B. Burrows.

The building, which became known as the Hooley Opera House was remodelled by John B. Hyland, a local contractor.

[8] Hooley also organized a theatre stock company that featured actors including William H. Crane and James O'Neill.

He married Rosina Cramer in 1856, and died at his house in Chicago on September 8, 1893, survived by two daughters.