William Clarence Hueston, Sr.

William Clarence Hueston Sr. (September 24, 1880 – November 25, 1961) was an American lawyer, magistrate, and community leader. Hueston was the first African-American graduate from the University of Chicago Law School. He served as the first African-American judge in Gary, Indiana, as president of the Negro National Baseball League, and as the first African-American Assistant Solicitor in the United States Post Office Department within the Hoover administration. Hueston practiced law in private firms and was an influential activist for African-American civil rights throughout his life. An active member of fraternal organizations, Hueston served as education commissioner and grand secretary within the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World.

Personal life Hueston was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from Chandler Normal School, Hueston’s family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where he was an active, prominent leader in the African American community. Hueston then became the first African American graduate from the University of Chicago’s Law School. Hueston was a dedicated member of fraternities and community-based organizations, serving in his younger years as Grand master in the Indiana Mason society and as a member of Sigma Psi Phi. In his lifetime, he had three children with his wife, Peggy, William Jr, and Harry. In 1928, Hueston was unanimously voted a lifelong member of the Harlan Law Club in Detroit, Michigan, for his outstanding legal contributions. Hueston was appointed as a District Judge of Gary, Indiana, in 1924, making him the first African American to ever hold the position. During his time as President, Hueston worked extensively with the Negro Southern League, signing agreements and contracts to have Southern League games and tours integrated with the NNL. Complications and a lack of unity in the league prevented Hueston and other officials in the NNL from doing any substantial work for the organization.

In 1929, Hueston was specially appointed by President Herbert Hoover to work in consultation on the construction of a National Museum of African American History and Culture through the National Memorial Association, a plan that never materialized because of a lack of funding. Indiana Senator James E. Watson is credited with helping recommend Hueston for the appointment. As a legal counsel within the department, Hueston reportedly handled over 5,000 cases in his whole tenure as Assistant Solicitor. In 1925, the Grand Lodge of the I.B.P.O.E.W. created a Department of Education and chose Hueston to run it. Hueston served as Education Commissioner until 1951. Hueston is reported by many publications in the D.C. area to have been an indispensable function of the Elks’ business and political ventures between 1930 and 1960.