The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-07-10
HOOKER
DROPS DEAD IN
AUBURN, n. Y.
Member Of Michigan Supreme Court
Expires Suddenly in Railroad
Station as He Starts for
Ticket Office.
Had Been Making Auto Tour With
Judge HOsmsr and Judge Mandsll
Of Detroit.

AUBURN. N. Y, July 10.-Supreme
Court Justice Frank A. Hooker, So,
OF Michigan, died suddenly here TO-
day OF heart disease.
Accompanied by Judge George 8.
Hosmer and Judge II. A. Mandell, of
Michigan, and chauffeur, Justice
Hooker had been making an automo-
bile tour OF the state. Last night he
felt III and decided TO 90 home 10
Lansing, Mich, by train.
He had just entered the New York
Central station and started for the
ticket Office when he fell over dead.
The remains were shipped to Lansing.
LANSING. Mich. July iu--Justice
Hooker was regarded In Lansing as
one OF the strong men OF the Michigan
supreme court. His keen insight and
judicial temperament adapted him At
tingly to the position he filed with
honor for 20 years, and In Lansing
his death Is regarded as q severe
blow
For q number OF years he has been
president OF the Michigan Commercial
Insurance Co. and director OF the City
National bank. The death Of his wife
about two years ago aged him percept-
ibly, and he never fully recovered from
the shock.
Although stern and severe on the
bench, Justice Hooker's heart was as
soft as that OF child, and many an
unfortunate person In this city and In
other parts OF the state will have rea-
son to mourn his death.
Justice Hooker was a regular at
tendant ut the meetings OF the u. and
]. club. the Oldest and most select
literary club In Lansing. He Is sur
yived by two sons, Harry A. Hooker
OF Lansing, and DR.. Charles r. Hook
er OF Grand Rapids.
Justice Hooker was born in Hart
ford, Conn. Rev. Thomas Hooker, the
first OF his ancestors to arrive In
America, was a non-conformist min
lister. He left England for Holland
and then came to this country with
John Cotton and others who were
anxious for religious and civic free
dom. They arrived In Boston In 1888.
Rev. Thomas Hooker was one OF the
founders OF a colony at Hartford,
where on Jan "a. 1857, the first writ
ten constitution or the new world was
written.
Justice Hooker's father was promi-
nent contractor He went west and
settled In Fort Defiance. o., In 1856,
after he had met financial reverses in
New England. The son learned the
trade of a stone mason and worked at
Il or and on for seven years, teaching
school In the winters.
He entered the law department of
the University OF Michigan and finish
cd the course in 1865. He began prac-
lice In Bryan, o.. but moved to Char
Iotte, Mich, In 1867. In 1868 he was
elected superintendent OF schools OF
Eaton county and was reelected two
years later. He was elected pros
ecuting attorney In 1872 and again In
1874.
In 1878 Philip T. Van Zile, now
prosecuting attorney OF Wayne coun-
ty, resigned as Judge OF the fifth ju-
dicial circuit to accept the appoint
ment as United States district at
torney for the territory OF Utah. Gov
ernor Crosswell appointed Frank A.
Hooker to succeed him on the circuit
bench. He continued 10 be Judge OF
the circuit until his elevation to the
supreme court bench. his services on
both the circuit and supreme benches
covering 33 consecutive years. He had
before his election as prosecuting at
torney been justice Of the peace at
Charlotte.
The death OF Justice Hooker will
give Gov. Osborn the power TO fill
the vacancy by appointment, but the
chief executive is not In Lansing to-
day and no one in the governors Of
fee will venture an opinion as to who
will ha given the position
Chief Justice Russell Ostrander
said:
"The news OF death Of Justice Hook
or has Just come to me. / am too pro-
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