Hockenhull moved to New Mexico Territory in 1908 and homesteaded near Tucumcari, in Quay County. In 1909 he moved to Clovis and began practicing law there in 1909. He also served as assistant district attorney (1912–1916), and city attorney for six years. During World War I, he served as a member of the Lawyers Committee and the Council of Defense. A lawyer and banker, he had extensive agricultural interests throughout Curry County.[2] A Democrat, Hockenhull was elected lieutenant governor of New Mexico in 1930 and was re-elected in 1932.[3] He became governor upon the death of Governor Arthur Seligman in September, 1933, and completed the term [4] on December 31, 1934.[5]
Contending with the Great Depression consumed most of his term.[6] After leaving office, Hockenhull returned to his legal career. In 1939, he was appointed postmaster of Clovis, starting May 31, 1939.[7]
Titles
He is the second Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico to assume the governor's office due to the death of the sitting governor. He also holds the title of the longest surviving former-governor of New Mexico, living 97 years, and 40 years beyond the expiration of his term.
References
^State of New Mexico (July 2012). Kathryn A. Flynn (ed.). 2012 Centennial Blue Book(PDF). Diana J. Duran. Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State. pp. 218–219. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
^State of New Mexico (July 2012). Kathryn A. Flynn (ed.). 2012 Centennial Blue Book(PDF). Diana J. Duran. Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State. pp. 218–219. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
^State of New Mexico (July 2012). Kathryn A. Flynn (ed.). 2012 Centennial Blue Book(PDF). Diana J. Duran. Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State. p. 211. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-04-06.