- Isidore B. Dockweiler
Isidore Bernard Dockweiler (December 28, 1867 - February 06, 1947), aged 79. Prominent
California lawyer and politician from a pioneeringLos Angeles family.Born in Los Angeles to
Heinrich Dockweiler (Henry Dockweiler) and Margaretha Sugg, when the smallpueblo 's population was less than 4,500. Affectionately called "Pequeno Ysidro" byBishop Francisco Mora y Borrell , then the prelate ofSt. Vibiana's Cathedral in Los Angeles, who personally baptised him. Dockweiler would serve in his youth as Mora's "train bearer". Admitted to the practice of law October 14, 1889, practicing for 58 years. Married to Gertrude Reeve. He and his wife had 13 children, 11 of which grew to adulthood (2 died in infancy).Dockweiler was the Democratic Party candidate for
Lieutenant Governor of California in 1902, along withFranklin K. Lane asGovernor of California . Governor-Elect Lane and Lt. Governor-Elect Dockweiler won the electorate's plurality by 25,000 votes, but lost on a minor legal technicality decided by theCalifornia Supreme Court - - a controversial event at the time voiding the people's will. RepublicanGeorge Cooper Pardee became Governor of California as a result.Dockweiler helped secure California's vote for
Woodrow Wilson , who would becomePresident of the United States . Dockweiler was held in high esteem and confidence by Wilson. Lane served asU.S. Secretary of the Interior . When Lane resigned in 1920 Dockweiler was offered the position. Dockweiler declined due to family responsibilities of 11 children. Instead he was appointed by Wilson to the United States Board of Indian Commissioners (1913-1920).He had numerous positions throughout his life, both local and national. He served as President of the Los Angeles City Library Commission. He was the Director of the
Los Angeles Public Library (1897-1899) and as ex-President of same (1901-1911).Dockweiler was defeated in the August 31, 1926 Democratic
primary for theU.S. Senate nomination for California, losing toJohn B. Elliott . Elliott was the contestant sponsored by the then formerU.S. Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo .Dockweiler served thrice as a delegate to the
Democratic National Conventions of 1908 (Denver ), 1936 (Philadelphia ), and 1940 (Chicago ). He served as a member of theDemocratic National Committee (DNC) (1916-1932).Will Rogers once characterized Dockweiler as "the Democratic Party of California".Dockweiler was instrumental in having a statue of Fr.
Junipero Serra , mission builder of California, placed inStatuary Hall in Washington, D.C. in 1932. He was also instrumental in getting passed a bill in theCalifornia Legislature making it a law to fly the CaliforniaBear Flag along with theU.S. Flag in or on public buildings. This would eventually be followed by other states.Dockweiler served on the
Board of Directors of Security First National Bank (1922-1947).Two streets, Dockweiler Street and Dockweiler Place, are named after Isidore in Los Angeles. Isidore became aware of an effort to name a transportation arterial after him. Being humble, he did not like the idea. That street was eventually named Doheny (
Edward Laurence Doheny ), now part ofBeverly Hills , California.By an act of the
U.S. Congress , Dockweiler Station Post Office, is named in his honor in Los Angeles.On January 26, 1955, the California State Parks Commission upon request of California Governor
Goodwin Knight renamed a portion of the then Venice-Hyperion Beach State Park inPlaya del Rey to the Isidore B. Dockweiler Beach State Park, commonly known asDockweiler Beach , to honor him and the contributions to the public by the Dockweiler Family. Dockweiler served as a member of that same commission from his appointment by California GovernorEarl Warren on March 22, 1943 until his death.Dockweiler, a
Catholic , was awardedPontifical Knighthood byPope Pius XI in the spring of 1924 as aKnight of St. Gregory (KSG) for meritorious service to the public, humanity, and theCatholic Church . He was a charter member of theKnights of Columbus . One of his sons, Thomas A. J. Dockweiler, would also receive knighthood later as aKnight Commander ofSaint Gregory (KCSG).He was also the father to Congressman
John Francis Dockweiler .He was interred in Calvary Cemetery (New Calvary Catholic Cemetery) in
East Los Angeles .References
* "The Varied Worlds of Isidore B. Dockweiler", by Ellen A. Schneider Kay, Dr. John Baur Studies In California,
University of Southern California (USC), June 1970.
* "Dockweiler - An Adventure Becomes a Saga: From Bavaria to California (1750-2000)", by Angus C. Cooper, O.F.M., 1993.
* "Isidore Dockweiler Made History" by Fr.Francis J. Weber [nowMonsignor ] , "The Tidings ",Archdiocese of Los Angeles , August 12, 1966.
* The Daily News, Denver Colorado, July 03, 1908.
*Los Angeles Times , February 07, 1947.
*Metropolitan News-Enterprise (Los Angeles), Thursday, July 24, 2008.
* Metropolitan News-Enterprise (Los Angeles), Thursday, July 17, 2008.
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