High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Ben Walter Hooper, born Bennie Walter Wade (October 13, 1870 – April 18, 1957), was an American politician who served as Governor of Tennessee from 1911 to 1915. He was one of just three Republicans to hold the office from the end of Reconstruction to the latter half of the 20th century, having been elected due to divisions in the state Democratic Party. During his two terms, he signed several prohibition laws, enacted a measure requiring mandatory school attendance, and signed a law requiring direct pay for women workers.