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Works (John Downey) papers
M0031
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: John Downey Works Papers
Identifier/Call Number: M0031
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1911-1928
Abstract: John Downey Works (1847-1928) was an American politician and lawyer. He was a U.S. Senator representing California from 1911
to 1917, and an associate justice of the California Supreme Court from 1888 to 1891.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Lewis R. Works, 1930-31.
John Downey Works was born March 29, 1847 on a farm in Ohio County, Indiana. Educated in the common schools of the state until
1861, he then served eighteen months with the U. S. Volunteers in the Civil War. In 1868, he married Alice Banta, was admitted
to the bar, and began a law practice in Vevay, Indiana which lasted for fifteen years. In 1879, he was elected to the Indiana
House of Representatives for one term. Forced to leave Indiana in l883 due to ill health, Works and his family journeyed West
and settled in southern California where, from 1886-87, he served as Judge of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Los
Angeles. In 1888, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of California
and shortly thereafter, was elected to fill out the term. Works returned to a private legal partnership in 1891 and remained
so engaged until 1910 when he served for a brief time as President of the City Council of Los Angeles. In 1911, he was nominated
by the Progressive Republicans of the Lincoln-Roosevelt League for the position of U. S. Senator, was subsequently elected,
and served in Congress until 1917 when he returned once again to private life and practice. Works died on June 6, 1928.
Among Works' publications are:
Indiana Pleading and Practice,
Water and Water Rights,
Courts and their Jurisdiction,
What's Wrong With the World,
Man's Duty to Man, and
Juridical Reform.
[Identification of item] John Downey Works Papers, M031, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
The Works Papers include the correspondence of John Downey Works dated from 1911 to 1928, the bulk of which was written between
1916 and 1926. In addition, the collection contains a typescript copy of Works' memoirs concerning, especially, his years
in the U. S. Senate, several typescripts of articles and speeches, and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings by or about Works
from 1906-1911. Also included are printed copies of many of Works' Senate speeches.
Of primary interest in the Papers is the correspondence concerning Works' election to the U. S. Senate in 1911, publication
of his several books, and his relationship with the Church of Christ Scientist.
For additional information consult the Works Collection in the Bancroft Library, University of California (see correspondence
to Works from J. C. Rowell, Librarian). Also helpful for general reference is Irene Lucile Way's
The Political Career of John Downey Works, a thesis written 1929-30 at Stanford University for the degree of Master of Arts.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Neale Publishing Co.
La Follette., Robert M.
Hargraves, John W.
Christian Science Monitor
Blight, Reynold E.
Stratford Co.
Taft, William H.
Patton, Charles 0.
Rowell, Chester H.