Justice Warren B. Hooker was born on November 24, 1856 in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, NY. He was educated in public schools and the Forestville Free Academy before studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and began practicing law in Forestville. From 1878 until 1881 he held the position of special surrogate for Chautauqua County. Hooker practiced law in Tacoma, Washington from 1882 until 1884 and in Fredonia, NY from 1884 until 1898. In 1889 and 1890 he served as supervisor of the town of Pomfret. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Congress and served from 1891 until 1898.
In 1898, Gov. Black appointed Hooker to the State Supreme Court. He later served as an Associate Justice for the Appellate Division, Second Department from 1902 to 1909. In 1905 the Assembly Judiciary Committee recommended the removal of Justice Hooker from the Supreme Court following charges of corrupt actions. He ignored a call for his resignation and was tried by the legislature but was not removed.
Following his retirement from the bench in 1913, he returned to the practice of law in Fredonia. In 1919 he was appointed an official referee of the State Supreme Court.
He died on March 5, 1920 in Fredonia at the age of 63.
Sources
“Ex-Justice Hooker Dead.” New York Times (1857-1922): 11. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Mar 06 1920. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.
“Hooker, Warren Brewster – Biographical Information.” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000760.
“Judge Hooker.” New York Times (1857-1922): 8. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). May 31 1905. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.
“Judge Hooker Escapes.” New York Times (1857-1922): 6. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Jul 21 1905. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.
“Justice Hooker Unfit, Committee Finds.” New York Times (1857-1922): 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). May 02 1905. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.