Charles W. Kingsley

Charles W. Kingsley
Kingsley c. 1913
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 65th district
In office
January 6, 1913 – January 4, 1915
Preceded byDavid Wallace Mott
Succeeded byPeter C. Phillips
Personal details
Born
Charles William Kingsley

(1860-12-12)December 12, 1860
Scotland, U.K.
DiedNovember 15, 1931(1931-11-15) (aged 70)
Baldwin Park, California, U.S.
NationalityScotland
Political partySocialist
Spouse
Lizzie Schneeberger
​
(m. 1901)​
Children
  • Herbert
  • Charles
  • Harold
EducationCommon school
OccupationMachinist, blacksmith

Charles William Kingsley (December 12, 1860 – November 15, 1931) was a Scottish-American machinist, blacksmith and politician who served one term in the California State Assembly for the 65th district from 1913 to 1915.[1] He made history as the first Socialist elected to the California State Legislature.[2]

Kingsley was born in Scotland in 1860, immigrating to California in 1888[3] and becoming a naturalized citizen in 1896.[4] In 1912, he was elected to the California State Assembly's 65th district, representing Los Angeles.[2] While in the Assembly, Kingsley sponsored legislation to establish a universal eight-hour workday.[5]

Kingsley married Lizzie Schneeberger, a Swiss native, in Los Angeles on July 3, 1901.[6] They had three sons, one of whom killed himself at 17.[7]

Kingsley as he appeared in the San Francisco Bulletin, January 11, 1913

References

  1. ^ "Charles W. Kingsley". JoinCalifornia. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "California's Lone Socialist Assemblyman". The Sacramento Star. Sacramento. 9 November 1912. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  3. ^ "California Blue Book, 1911". California State Printing Office. p. 502. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ "U.S., Naturalization Records, 1840-1957". Ancestry. 18 July 1896. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Universal eight-hour bill movement meets enthusiastic reception". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. Los Angeles. 12 February 1913. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Marriage licenses". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. 3 July 1901. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Brother's ill health causes boy's suicide". Long Beach Telegram. Long Beach. 8 March 1923. Retrieved 5 August 2024.


Stub icon

This article about a California politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.