Theodore E. Hancock

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Theodore E. Hancock (May 30, 1847 Granby, Oswego County, New York - November 19, 1916 Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician.

[edit] Life

He graduated from Falley Seminary in Fulton in 1867, and from Wesleyan University in 1871. Then he studied law at the Columbia University Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1873, and commenced practice in New York City in the office of Bangs & North. A few years later, he removed to Syracuse, NY, and opened the office of Gilbert & Hancock.

In 1879, he was elected a Justice of the Peace. In 1889, he was elected District Attorney of Onondaga County. As a Republican, he was New York State Attorney General from 1894 to 1898. During his tenure, the New York State Constitution of 1894 was adopted, and in 1895 the state officers were elected exceptionally to a three-year term, so the subsequently elected officers would serve concurrently with the governor for two years. In 1897, Wesleyan University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1899, he ran for Mayor of Syracuse, NY.

[edit] Sources

  • [1] Short bio, at Genforum
  • [2] Political Graveyard
  • [3] List of New York Attorneys General, at Office of the NYSAG
  • [4] Presentation of the candidates for state office, in NYT on November 5, 1893 (erroneously predicting Hancock's defeat)
  • [5] The re-elected state officers, in NYT on November 6, 1895
  • [6] Election results, in NYT on November 6, 1895
  • [7] The honorary degree, in NYT on July 1, 1897
  • [8] The run for mayor, in NYT on November 5, 1899
  • [9] Obit in NYT on November 20, 1916 (giving rather sketchy and incorrect info)
Preceded by
Simon W. Rosendale
New York State Attorney General
1894 – 1898
Succeeded by
John C. Davies