Theodore E. Hancock

Theodore E. Hancock (May 30, 1847 – November 19, 1916) was an American lawyer and politician. He was New York Attorney General from 1894 to 1898.[1]

Theodore E. Hancock
Theodore E. Hancock in 1904
Born	May 30, 1847 Granby, Oswego County, New York
Died	November 19, 1916 (aged 69) Syracuse, New York, United States
Education	Wesleyan University (1871) Columbia University Law School
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Title	New York Attorney General
Term	1894-1898
Spouse(s)	Martha B. Connelly
Parent(s)	Freeman Hancock Mary Williams

Biography

He was born on May 30, 1847 in Granby, New York to Freeman Hancock and Mary Williams.[2]

Caricature of Theodore E. Hancock by W. T. Schwarz of Syracuse, New York in February, 1906

He graduated from Falley Seminary in Fulton in 1867, and from Wesleyan University in 1871. He then studied law at the Columbia University Law School, and graduated as Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in 1873.[2]

In 1873, he commenced practice in New York City in the office of Bangs & North. A few years later, he removed to Syracuse, New York, and opened the office of Gilbert & Hancock.

In 1879, he established the firm of Hancock, Beach, Peck and Devine in Syracuse. His son Stewart F. Hancock was considered the "modern-day founder of the firm", and his grandson Stewart F. Hancock Jr. rejoined the firm in 1994 after serving on the New York Court of Appeals.[3]

He was a Justice of the Peace; and was District Attorney of Onondaga County from 1890 to 1892. He was New York Attorney General from 1894 to 1898, elected at the New York state election, 1893, and re-elected at the New York state election, 1895 on the Republican ticket. In 1897, Wesleyan University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1899, he ran for Mayor of Syracuse, New York.

He died on November 19, 1916 in Syracuse, New York.

Personal life

He was married on June 7, 1882 to Martha B. Connelly of Wheeling, West Virginia, and had three children;[2]

• Stewart F. Hancock (born April 4, 1883) - Graduated from Wesleyan University in 1905 and Syracuse University Law School in 1907. He was admitted to the bar in 1907 and practiced law as a member of the firm of Hancock, Hogan & Hancock.[2]
• Clarence Eugene Hancock (born February 13, 1885) - Graduated from Wesleyan University in 1906 and New York Law School in 1908. Admitted to the bar in 1908 and a member of the firm Hancock, Spriggs and Hancock.[2] United States Congressman for New York's 35th District, 1927-1945. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is named after him]]
• Martha Hancock - Educated at Syracuse University and Wesleyan College.[2]

References

1. "Theodore E. Hancock" (PDF). New York Times. November 20, 1916. Retrieved 2012-10-10. Theodore E. Hancock, Attorney General of New York State ...
2. Haskin, Joseph A. "Oswego County, New York Biographies". The Union Army, Volume VIII, Biographical, Federal Publishing Co., 1908. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
3. Kropf, Annemarie. "Law firm flourishes in key niches". The Business Journal - Central New York, June 13, 2003. Retrieved September 7, 2010.

Further reading

• Theodore Hancock b. 30 May 1847 Granby, NY at genforum.genealogy.com Short bio, at Genforum
• Presentation of the candidates for state office, in NYT on November 5, 1893 (erroneously predicting Hancock's defeat)
• The re-elected state officers, in NYT on November 6, 1895
• Election results, in NYT on November 6, 1895
• The honorary degree, in NYT on July 1, 1897
• The run for mayor, in NYT on November 5, 1899