L. Harris Hiscock

Luther Harris Hiscock, New York attorney, legislator, and judge.

Luther Harris Hitchcock (May 2, 1824 – June 7, 1867) was a New York attorney, judge, and legislator. He was murdered by George W. Cole, a major general in the American Civil War and brother of Cornelius Cole.

Biography

Known as L. Harris Hiscock, he was born in Pompey, New York on May 2, 1824.^[1] He taught school while studying law with Daniel Gott, and served as Pompey's School Superintendent from 1845 to 1847.^[2]

In 1848 he began to practice law in Tully. From 1849 to 1851 he was Pompey's Justice of the Peace, and he served as Town Supervisor from 1851 to 1853.^[3]

Hiscock later moved to Syracuse, and in 1855 he founded with his brother Frank the law firm known today as Hiscock and Barclay.^[4] L. Harris Hiscock was prominent in Democratic politics and served as Onondaga County Surrogate Judge from 1852 to 1856.^[5]

In 1865, by now a Republican as a result of his pro-Union position during the Civil War, Harris was elected to the New York State Assembly, and he served until his death.^[6]

While in Albany as a delegate to the 1867 state constitutional convention, Hiscock was murdered on June 7, 1867, by George W. Cole, a major general in the Union Army who accused Hiscock of having an affair with Mrs. Cole. Cole was acquitted at his 1868 trial on the grounds of "momentary insanity."^[7][8]

Hiscock was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse.^[9]

Family

L. Harris Hiscock was the brother and law partner of U.S. Senator Frank Hiscock.^[10] He was married to Lucy Bridgman (1828–1861), and their children included Judge Frank H. Hiscock.^[11]

References

1. Chandler, George (1883). The Chandler Family. Worcester, MA: The Press of Charles Hamilton. p. 862.
2. Harlow, S. R.; Boone, H. H. (1867). Life Sketches of the State Officers, Senators,and Members of the Assembly of the State of New York, in 1867. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company. p. 266.
3. Asher, Robert (2005). Murder on Trial: 1620–2002. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7914-6377-2.
4. Driscoll, Michael, Mayor (October 19, 2005). "Resolution: 150th Anniversary of Hiscock & Barclay Community Recognition Day" (PDF). syrgov.net. City of Syracuse, New York.
5. Hutchins, S. C. (1868). Civil List and Forms of Government of the Colony and State of New York. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company. p. 431.
6. New York State Assembly (1867). Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York. Albany, NY: C. Van Benthuysen & Sons. p. 4.
7. Werner, Edgar A. (1884). Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons, and Company. p. 132.
8. Hallas, Herbert C. (2013). William Almon Wheeler: Political Star of the North Country. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 88.
9. L. Harris Hiscock at Find a Grave
10. Publication Committee (1875). Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of the Old Town of Pompey. Syracuse, NY: Courier Printing Company. p. 410.
11. "Biography: Frank Harris Hiscock (1856–1946)". Biographies: Judges of the New York Court of Appeals. Historical Society of the New York Courts. Retrieved April 5, 2015.