Frederick W. Houser

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Frederick Wilhelm Houser

| image = Frederick W. Houser, 1920s-1930s.jpg

| caption = Houser in the 1920s–30s

| office = Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California

| termstart = October 1, 1937

|termend = October 12, 1942

| appointer = Governor Frank Merriam

| predecessor = Ira F. Thompson

| successor = B. Rey Schauer

| office1 = Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One

| termstart1 = 1935

| termend1 = September 30, 1937

| predecessor1 = Nathaniel Parrish Conrey

| successor1 = John M. York

| state_assembly2 = California

| district2 =74th

| term2 = January 2, 1903 - January 7, 1907

| preceded2 = Cornelius W. Pendleton

| succeeded2 = Robson O. Bell

| birth_date = {{birth date|1871|04|15}}

| birth_place = Jones County, Iowa, U.S.

| death_date ={{death date and age|1942|10|12|1871|04|15}}

| death_place =Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| spouse = {{marriage|Sara Wilde|1902}}

| children = Frederick F. Houser
Rodman Wilde Houser

| alma_mater = University of Southern California (LL.B.)

}}

Frederick Wilhelm Houser (April 15, 1871 – October 12, 1942) was an American attorney who served as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court from October 1, 1937, to October 12, 1942.

Biography

Houser was born to Justus Christian Houser and Martha Rodman in Jones County, Iowa.{{cite news|title=Justices Ask Vote for Re-Election|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MT19381028.2.86&srpos=1&e=------193-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Madera Tribune|issue=152|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=28 October 1938|page=6}} He moved to Los Angeles to read law in the offices of Stephen M. White. Houser continued his studies as one of the founding signatures to the University of Southern California Law School, and graduated in the first class of 1900.{{cite news|title=Law Students Organize|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH18970613.2.130&srpos=2&e=------189-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=26 (256)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=13 June 1897|page=12}}{{cite news|title=Law School Students|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH18980225.2.114&srpos=1&e=------189-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|issue=25 (148)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=25 February 1898|page=6|quote=Chairman of the evening, Frederick W. Houser}}

In November 1902, Houser was nominated by the Republican Party and was elected an Assemblyman from the 74th district in the California State Assembly.{{cite news|title=James Meredith Beaten, Flint-Otis Candidate Defeated in the Seventy-fourth|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19020821.2.65&srpos=48&e=------190-en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=322|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=21 August 1902|page=4}}{{cite news|title=Republican Ticket Los Angeles County|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19021020.2.125&srpos=7&e=------190-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=18|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=20 October 1902|page=7}}

In November 1906, Houser ran as a Republican and was elected as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.{{cite news|title=Now What Do You Think of This|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19060823.2.46&srpos=22&e=------190-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Francisco Call|issue=100 (84)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=23 August 1906|page=3|quote=The nomination of five candidates for positions ' on the Superior bench was disposed of quickly and in one ballot and resulted in the selection of...former Assemblyman Frederick W. Houser}}{{cite news|title=Law Alumni Indorse Houser|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19061106.2.63&srpos=17&e=------190-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=34 (36)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=6 November 1906|page=4}}{{cite news|title=Complete Official Election Returns|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19061216.2.110&srpos=39&e=------190-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 12, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|issue=114|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=16 December 1906|page=12|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812062653/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19061216.2.110&srpos=39&e=------190-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Challenges Vote of Soldiers' Home, Milton K. Young Believes Ballots Illegal, Files Suit, Alleging Election Frauds, and Recount May Show His Election as Superior Judge|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19061222.2.147&srpos=34&e=------190-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=34 (82)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=22 December 1906|page=12}} In 1911, the Los Angeles trial bench included future Supreme Court justices Frank G. Finlayson, Nathaniel P. Conrey, and Curtis D. Wilbur.{{cite news|title=New Rules Adopted to Regulate Court|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19110614.2.118&srpos=58&e=------191-en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=256|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=14 June 1911|page=7}} In 1912, he was re-elected to a six-year term on the trial bench.{{cite news|title=Judge Houser Files Renomination Petition|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19120727.2.19&srpos=5&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=261|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=27 July 1912|page=1}}{{cite news|title=Records and Ability Give Five Judgeship Candidates Leading Place in Campaign|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19121101.2.112&srpos=70&e=------191-en--20--61--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|issue=27|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=1 November 1912|page=13}}{{cite news|title=Roosevelt is 18,000 in the Lead in LA County, Result of the Judicial Vote|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19121107.2.23&srpos=80&e=------191-en--20--61--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=32|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=7 November 1912|page=2}} In 1916, he was presiding judge of the Superior Court.{{cite news|title=Neglect of Duty Is Charged to 'Prosecutor in Liquor Confiscation|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19160601.2.6&srpos=46&e=------191-en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|issue=32|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=1 June 1916|page=1|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812095041/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19160601.2.6&srpos=46&e=------191-en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|url-status=dead}} In 1918, he won another election for a new term on the Superior Court.{{cite news|title=Frederick Houser in Race for Judge|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19180702.2.51&srpos=40&e=------191-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=208|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=2 July 1918|page=5}}{{cite news|title=List of Successful Candidates|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LAH19181106.2.329&srpos=51&e=------191-en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Herald|issue=4|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=6 November 1918|page=1}}

In 1923, he became an Associate Justice in the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division One.{{cite news|title=318 Seek State and District Offices|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19220729.2.113&srpos=27&e=------192-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|issue=26066|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=29 July 1922|page=7|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812063020/https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19220729.2.113&srpos=27&e=------192-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|url-status=dead}} He held his seat until 1935 when he was named the Presiding Justice of that Court.{{cite book|last1=Johnson|first1=J. Edward|title=History of the California Supreme Court: The Justices 1900-1950, vol 2|date=1966|publisher=Bancroft-Whitney|location=San Francisco, CA|pages=157–160|url=http://library.courtinfo.ca.gov/included/docs/SCJC_Vol_2.pdf|accessdate=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125153045/http://library.courtinfo.ca.gov/included/docs/SCJC_Vol_2.pdf|archive-date=January 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}

In November 1926, he ran unsuccessfully for the California Supreme Court, losing to Jesse W. Curtis Sr. and William Langdon.{{cite news|title=Dissension Shown Over Labor's Endorsement of Robert M. Clarke, Curtis Again Has Opposition|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19260725.1.10&srpos=35&e=------192-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Bernardino Sun|issue=58 (147)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=25 July 1926|page=10}}{{cite news|title=California's Republicans in a Landslide|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19261103.1.2&srpos=34&e=------192-en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Bernardino Sun|issue=59 (64)|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=3 November 1926|page=2}} From 1935, Houser served as a member of the California Judicial Council.

In 1937, Governor Frank Merriman appointed Houser an associate justice of the California Supreme Court. In November 1938, he was retained in the election.In 1934, the state implemented the present system of gubernatorial appointment with retention elections, replacing the direct election of justices.{{cite news|title=60,625 Votes, a Record, Cast at Polls|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19381130.1.19&srpos=9&e=------193-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22-------1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Bernardino Sun|issue=45|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=30 November 1938|page=19}} He remained on the high court until his death on October 12, 1942.{{cite news|title=Death Claims Distinguished State Jurist|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19421013.1.2&srpos=5&e=------194-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22----1942---1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Bernardino Sun|issue=49|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=13 October 1942|page=1}} In December 1942, Governor Culbert Olson appointed B. Rey Schauer to the remainder of Houser's term.{{cite news|title=Named Justice|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MT19421217.2.7&srpos=1&e=------194-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22----1942---1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Madera Tribune|issue=245|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=17 December 1942|page=1}}

Personal life

At USC, he met his wife, Sara Isabel Wilde, who was also a founding signature for the school. They had two children, Frederick F. Houser, who became Lt. Governor of California and a judge, and Rodman Wilde Houser.{{cite news|title=Houser and Hagerty Win G.O.P. Assembly Support|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19420525.1.1&srpos=4&e=------194-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22----1942---1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=San Bernardino Sun|issue=48|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=25 May 1942|page=1}}{{cite news|title=Lt. Gov. Fred Houser Announces His Candidacy for United States Senator|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DS19451019.2.158&srpos=1&e=------194-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Frederick+W.+Houser%22----1945---1|accessdate=August 11, 2017|work=Desert Sun|issue=12|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=19 October 1945|page=16}}

Notes

External links

[http://www.cschs.org/history/california-supreme-court-justices/frederick-w-houser/ Frederick W. Houser]. California Supreme Court Historical Society.
[http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/HouserF.pdf Frederick W. Houser]. California Court of Appeal, Second District.
[http://www.courts.ca.gov/12523.htm Past & Present Justices]. California State Courts. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
[http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/9319 Join California Frederick W. Houser]

{{succession box

|title=Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court

|before=Ira F. Thompson

|after=B. Rey Schauer

|years=1937–1942}}

{{succession box

|title=Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division One

|before= Nathaniel Parrish Conrey

|after= John M. York

|years=1935–1937}}

{{succession box

|title=Assemblyman from the 74th district in the California State Assembly