Henry H. Yonkin (October 11, 1850 – February 9, 1941) was a politician who served on the Los Angeles City Council, California State Assembly, and California State Senate.

Henry H. Yonkin
Yonkin in 1906
Member of the California Senate
from the 38th district
In office
January 6, 1919 – January 8, 1923
Preceded byJohn W. Ballard
Succeeded byCharles H. V. Lewis
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 73rd district
In office
January 8, 1917 – January 6, 1919
Preceded byGeorge W. Downing
Succeeded byElmer P. Bromley
Member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 6th ward
In office
December 13, 1906 – December 10, 1909
Preceded byArthur D. Houghton
Succeeded byConstituency eliminated
Personal details
Born(1850-10-11)October 11, 1850
Illinois
DiedFebruary 9, 1941(1941-02-09) (aged 90)
Los Angeles, California
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnna M. Yonkin
Children2

Early life and career

edit

Yonkin was born in Illinois on October 11, 1850, moving to Los Angeles in 1885 and starting a political career at the age of 35. He served as a deputy sheriff to John C. Cline and was later elected to as a constable for two terms.[1] While serving as a constable, Yonkin was sued for $1,500 for allegedly attaching property from them to help satisfy another party.[1][2] In July 1903, Yonkin was accused of a felony for prejudice against M. N. Melrose during his trial.[3]

Political career

edit

In 1906, Yonkin was elected to the Los Angeles City Council, succeeding Arthur D. Houghton.[4] Yonkin was elected over Houghton, as many voters viewed Houghton as the "laughing stock of the city."[5] In 1907, recall petitions against Yonkin began circulating.[6] In 1908, the Good Government League launched another recall campaign against Yonkin led by ex-police commissioner Charles Sadler; the initial meeting to decide for the recall had been leaked to the public days prior.[7] Yonkin was briefly considered to be a contender for President of the Los Angeles City Council in 1909.[8] His tenure ended that year after the new City Council system was implemented.

In 1917, Yonkin was elected to the California State Assembly for the 73rd district, beating Socialist George W. Downing and Democrat Harvey B. Dalton in the 1916 election.[9] After serving a term, Yonkin was elected to the California State Assembly for the 38th district beating Independent Charles H. V. Lewis, who would later serve after Yonkin after Yonkin's term.[4][10]

Personal life and death

edit

Yonkin was married to Anna M. Yonkin; they had two children. On February 9, 1941, Yonkin died at the age of 90 at his home in Historic South Central.[11] Funeral services for Yonkin were held on February 12.[4]

References

edit

Links to Los Angeles Times articles require the use of a library card.

  1. ^ a b "NO ACTION TAKEN.: THE DOWNEY-AVENUE PROTEST GOES BACK TO THE COUNCIL. Annual Installments on Street-Impprovement Bonds Will Be Due on Monday. A WOMAN'S HALLUCINATIONS. THOUGHT STREET-CAR CONDUCTORS WERE SLANDERING HER. Isabelle Regan Committed to the Asylum at Highland--A $1500 Suit Against Constable H. H. Yonkin". Los Angeles Times. January 1, 1898.
  2. ^ "FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.: Miscellaneous Drillwood Thrown into the Courts". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 1897.
  3. ^ "MELROSE HANDS OUT SENSATIONAL CHARGE.: AT THE COURT HOUSE ACCUSES UNDER SHERIFF YONKIN OF RANK FELONY. Second Trial of Melrose for Killing of Broome at Acton Begins With Interesting Episode Designed to Cast Prejudice on Sheriff's Office--Ten Jurors Secured". Los Angeles Times. July 7, 1903.
  4. ^ a b c "Obituary: Henry H Yonkin". The San Francisco Examiner. February 12, 1941. p. 19.
  5. ^ "HOPE OF SIXTH WITH YONKIN.: ONLY MAN IN WARD WHO CAN BEAT FREAK HOWTON; Voters Centering Their Energy on the Republican Candidate, Who Has Lived Among Them for Many Years and Who Has Made an Excellent Record as a Public Official". Los Angeles Times. November 30, 1906.
  6. ^ "RECALL PETITIONS CIRCULATING AGAINST COUNCILMAN YONKIN". Los Angeles Herald. March 2, 1907.
  7. ^ "SIXTH WARD RECALL TALK.: SADLER IS SAID TO BE AFTER YONKIN'S SCALP; Councilman Laughs at Threats of Enemies--Conscience Fund at City Hall Receives First Deposit--Fire commission Aims to Hurry up Gamevell Fire Alarm Investigation". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1908.
  8. ^ "YONKIN PROVES A GOOD PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL". Los Angeles Herald. June 23, 1909.
  9. ^ "Yonkin Campaigns for Cal. Assembly". Los Angeles Herald. August 28, 1916.
  10. ^ "List of Successful Candidates". Los Angeles Herald. November 6, 1918.
  11. ^ "Death Notice: Henry H Yonkin". The San Francisco Examiner. February 11, 1941. p. 32.