Boyle Workman
Encyclopedia
Andrew Boyle Workman 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 council
man to represent District 4 (Wilshire ward), under the new charter of 1925. He was a candidate for Mayor in 1929.
, 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.
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 and was chosen president of that body. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Boyle Workman died at age 74 of a brain hemorrhage in Los Angeles. He is interred in Evergreen Cemetery.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
. He served as President of the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
and, as such, was acting Mayor
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
The mayor of Los Angeles is the chief executive officer of the city. He is elected for a four-year term and limited to serving no more than two terms. Under the California Constitution, all judicial, school, county, and city offices, including those of chartered cities, are nonpartisan...
on occasion. He was the first city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
man 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 AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the son of William H. Workman
William H. Workman
William Henry Workman was an American politician, banker and businessman. He served two terms as the 18th Mayor of Los Angeles, California.-Early life:...
(1839–1918) and Maria Elizabeth Boyle (1847–1933). He attended St. Vincent's College, which then stood at Seventh Street and Broadway
Broadway (Los Angeles)
Broadway is a major thoroughfare in Los Angeles, California, that runs from Lincoln Heights on the Eastside, through Chinatown, passing through Central Plaza and the Dragon Gate, the Los Angeles Civic Center, passing the Los Angeles Times building at First Street, and Broadway's historic commercial...
. From his home in Boyle Heights, he rode horseback to school. In 1884, he entered Santa Clara College
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
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 his clerk for his father who was Mayor of Los AngelesMayor of Los Angeles, California
The mayor of Los Angeles is the chief executive officer of the city. He is elected for a four-year term and limited to serving no more than two terms. Under the California Constitution, all judicial, school, county, and city offices, including those of chartered cities, are nonpartisan...
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
Public Utilities Commission
A Utilities commission, Utility Regulatory Commission , Public Utilities Commission or Public Service Commission is a governing body that regulates the rates and services of a public utility...
from 1913 until 1917. Two years later, on July 7, 1919, he was elected to the City Council and was chosen president of that body. In 1925, he became the councilman elected to represent the newly formed District 4
Los Angeles City Council District 4
Los Angeles City Council District 4 is one of the 15 districts of the Los Angeles City Council, situated in the center of the city. It is represented by Tom Labonge....
, which included Pico Heights and the Wilshire ward, where he lived.
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. 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.
Boyle Workman died at age 74 of a brain hemorrhage in Los Angeles. He is interred in Evergreen Cemetery.
See also
- Boyle-Workman familyBoyle-Workman familyThe Boyle-Workman family relates to the pioneer interconnected Boyle and Workman families that were prominent in: the history of colonial Pueblo de Los Angeles and American Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Basin and San Gabriel Valley regions; and Southern California — from 1830 to 1930 in Mexican Alta...
- List of Los Angeles municipal election returns
- Los Angeles City Council presidents