Boyle Workman

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Boyle Workman
Member of the Los Angeles City Council
In office
1919–1927
Preceded by none
Personal details
Born September 20, 1868
Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California
Died December 25, 1942
Spouse(s) Frances Widney Workman
Residence Los Angeles, California
Alma mater St. Vincent's College

Andrew Boyle Workman (September 20, 1868 – December 25, 1942) was a Los Angeles politician and businessman. He served as President of the Los Angeles City Council and, as such, was acting Mayor on occasion. He was the first city councilman to represent District 4 (Wilshire ward), under the new charter of 1925. He was a candidate for Mayor in 1929.

Early life

Boyle Workman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of William H. Workman (1839–1918) and Maria Elizabeth Boyle (1847–1933). He attended St. Vincent's College, which then stood at Seventh Street and Broadway. From his home in Boyle Heights, he rode horseback to school. In 1884, he entered Santa Clara College for a time, but returned to St. Vincent's College and graduated in 1887.

Los Angeles business and politics

After leaving school, Boyle worked as a clerk for his father who was Mayor of Los Angeles from December 14, 1886 to December 10, 1888. When his father left office, Boyle worked as a clerk in the Farmers & Merchants Bank, and later was local manager for the Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1891, he worked as a draftsman in the Los Angeles City Engineer's office.

From 1900 to 1907, Workman was Assistant City Treasurer. He was a member of the Public Service Commission from 1913 until 1917. Two years later, on July 7, 1919, he was elected to the City Council[1] and was chosen president of that body.[2] In 1925, he became the councilman elected to represent the newly formed District 4, which included Pico Heights and the Wilshire ward, where he lived.[3][4]

Workman served as City Council President, and Councilman of District 4, until 1927. He was also a member of the Finance Committee of the City Council. In 1929, he made a run for the Mayoral seat, losing in a close election.[5] He was also actively involved in business, including ownership of the Monarch Brick Company, the fire insurance firm of Garland and Workman, and the vice-presidency of the American Savings Bank.

Family life

Workman and Martha Frances Widney (June 17, 1874–July 3, 1971) were married on November 17, 1895, in Los Angeles. Frances was the daughter of Judge Robert M. Widney (1838–1929) and Mary Barnes (1844–1924). The Workmans had two daughters, Eleanor Workman (March 24, 1897–February 29, 1972) and Audree Workman (February 3, 1904–August 1, 1932).

After he retired from official public life, Workman devoted much of his time to collecting data on the history of Los Angeles, a work that culminated in his book Boyle Workman's The City That Grew, a semi-autobiographical narrative that was published in 1936.[6]

Boyle Workman died at age 74 of a brain hemorrhage in Los Angeles.[7] He is interred in Evergreen Cemetery.[8]

See also

  • Boyle-Workman family
  • List of Los Angeles municipal election returns
  • Los Angeles City Council presidents

References

  1. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Jun. 4, 1919, "Workman Leads Council Race," p. I1.
  2. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Feb. 4, 1921, "Workman Explains Affirmative Vote. --- President Of Council Says He Favors Inquiry Into Bullock's Question," p. II1.
  3. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Feb. 13, 1925, "Workman Now In Council Race --- Present President Will Run in Wilshire Ward — Gives Up Idea of Entering Mayoralty Contest — Approval of District Map Expected Today," p. A5.
  4. ↑ "Here Are the Hundred and Twelve Aspirants for the City's Fifteen Councilmanic Seats," Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1925, page 7 Library card required
  5. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Mar. 18, 1929, "Workman Gets In Mayor Race — Ex-President of City Council Announces Platform — Experience Declared to Fit Him for Position --- Many Problems Anticipated in Ensuing Four Years," p. A3.
  6. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Jan. 19, 1936, "Brush Strokes --- Reception Friday," p. C9.
  7. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Dec. 26, 1942, "Death Calls Boyle Workman --- Member of Old Family Served Los Angeles in Many Official Posts," p. A2.
  8. ↑ Los Angeles Times, Dec. 29, 1942, "Boyle Workman Laid to Rest --- Civic Notables Attend Funeral Ceremony for Former Official," p. A8.
Preceded by
—		 Los Angeles City Council
4th district
1925–1927 		Succeeded by
William M. Hughes
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