James Edward Hopkins (May 12, 1879 – March 19, 1939) was an American labor leader and politician who served one term in the California State Assembly for the 31st district from 1909 to 1911.[1]
James Edward Hopkins | |
|---|---|
 Hopkins in 1936 | |
| President of the California Federation of Labor | |
| In office March 23, 1936 – September 15, 1937 | |
| Preceded by | Edward D. Vandeleur |
| Succeeded by | C. J. Haggerty |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 31st district | |
| In office January 4, 1909 – January 2, 1911 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel J. Toomey |
| Succeeded by | Walter A. McDonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 12, 1879 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | March 19, 1939 (aged 59) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Union Labor |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Independence |
| Occupation | Teamster |
Hopkins began his career as a Teamster, serving as a delegate to the San Francisco Labor Council. In 1908, he was elected to the California State Assembly on a Democratic-Union Labor-Independence League ticket.[2] He did not stand for re-election in 1910.
In 1910, Hopkins was made a Deputy Sherriff of San Francisco.[3] On August 30, he accidentally shot and killed fellow Deputy Walter J. Bryant. He was arrested on murder charges, but was exonerated the next day after multiple witnesses came to his defense.[4]
Hopkins continued his career in organized labor after leaving the Assembly, joining the executive board of the state Federation of Labor in 1912. He served in that position for twenty-four years before being elected President in March 1936.[5] A self-described "ultra-conservative" dedicated to fighting radicalism within the ranks of organized labor, Hopkins nonetheless called for the repeal of the California Criminal Syndicalism Act.[6] His term as President ended in September 1937.[7]
Hopkins died of a heart attack at his San Francisco home on March 19, 1939.[8]
References
edit- ^ "James Edward Hopkins". JoinCalifornia. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "California Blue Book, 1909". California State Printing Office. p. 762. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Requiem Mass for James Hopkins Set Tomorrow". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco. 20 March 1939. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Hopkins cleared by jury". Napa Weekly Journal. Napa. 2 September 1910. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "New State Labor Head To Fight Reds In Ranks". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco. 24 March 1936. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Federation praised". The Oakland Tribune. Oakland. 15 September 1936. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "C.I.O. Men Get The Hook From Labor Meeting". The Santa Maria Times. Santa Maria. 13 September 1937. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Union Leader Dies". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. 20 March 1939. Retrieved 12 April 2024.