Born in Newport on October 13, 1870, Ben Walter Hooper became a successful Cocke County attorney. He was elected governor and served two terms from 1911 to 1915. His election is attributed to the influence of fusion, the coalition of the prohibition factions of both major political parties. He later served as chairman of the U.S. Railroad Labor Board from 1921 to 1926. Hooper died on April 18, 1957 and is buried in the Union Cemetery.