Mayor of Los Angeles, California. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in this position on three separate occasions, from December 1896 until December 1898, December 1900 until December 1904, and July 1919 until July 1921. After attending Yadkin College in Davidson County, North Carolina, he moved to California in 1880 and became a successful businessman. In 1896 he entered politics when he ran for and was elected 23rd mayor of Los Angeles. In 1898 he was succeeded by Fred Eaton but won a 2nd term in 1900, serving until 1904 when he was succeeded by Owen McAleer. From 1901 until 1904 he served as police commissioner of Los Angeles a member of the city council from 1904 until 1907, and public service commissioner from 1913 until 1918. In 1919 he was elected Los Angeles mayor for the third time, succeeding Frederick T. Woodman. While serving his second term as mayor, the city's water system came under municipal ownership. In 1921 he was defeated for a 4th mayoral term by George C. Cryer. From 1931 until 1935 he served on the California Industrial Accident Commission.

Mayor of Los Angeles, California. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in this position on three separate occasions, from December 1896 until December 1898, December 1900 until December 1904, and July 1919 until July 1921. After attending Yadkin College in Davidson County, North Carolina, he moved to California in 1880 and became a successful businessman. In 1896 he entered politics when he ran for and was elected 23rd mayor of Los Angeles. In 1898 he was succeeded by Fred Eaton but won a 2nd term in 1900, serving until 1904 when he was succeeded by Owen McAleer. From 1901 until 1904 he served as police commissioner of Los Angeles a member of the city council from 1904 until 1907, and public service commissioner from 1913 until 1918. In 1919 he was elected Los Angeles mayor for the third time, succeeding Frederick T. Woodman. While serving his second term as mayor, the city's water system came under municipal ownership. In 1921 he was defeated for a 4th mayoral term by George C. Cryer. From 1931 until 1935 he served on the California Industrial Accident Commission.

Bio by: William Bjornstad