James Bernard Holohan (June 19, 1871 – January 31, 1947) was an American politician and former warden of the San Quentin State Prison who served on the California State Senate from 1909 to 1913 and from 1937 to 1941.
James B. Holohan | |
|---|---|
 Holohan in 1936 | |
| Member of the California State Senate | |
| In office January 4, 1937 – January 6, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel H. Rambo |
| Succeeded by | Henry H. Lyon |
| Constituency | 29th district |
| In office January 4, 1909 – January 6, 1913 | |
| Preceded by | Bert B. Snyder |
| Succeeded by | H. R. Judah |
| Constituency | 29th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 19, 1871 Watsonville, California |
| Died | January 31, 1947 (aged 75) Watsonville, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Adeline V. Fraiser (m. 1902) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
editHolohan was born in Watsonville, California to Richard and Catherine Lynch Holohah, both immigrants from Ireland. When he was a teenager, both of his parents died, and he raised his three brothers and his sister while taking care of the family's ranch. In 1892, he started work as an unpaid clerk of a district school board.
Political career
edit
In 1904, Holohan ran for California State Assembly for the 54th district, but lost to George C. Cleveland.[1] Four years later, in 1908, he ran for California State Senate for the 29th district, defeating fellow Democrat Hall C. Ross with a plurality of the vote.[2] During his first term, he introduced Act 291, which adopted the Flag of California.[3] In 1912, he ran for U.S. House of Representatives, challenging incumbent Everis A. Hayes but losing in the election.[4][5] He retired after his first term to be appointed as United States Marshal of the Northern District of California on January 13, 1914, by President Woodrow Wilson.[6][7]
In 1936, after leaving his post as warden of San Quentin State Prison, he was drafted by supporters to run for State Senate again.[8] That year, he defeated incumbent Bert B. Snyder and served for a second term.[9] After serving the term, he retired once more in 1941.
Warden and sheriff career
editIn 1918, Holohan killed Ram Singh, who had entered a courtroom and began shooting a man named Ram Chandra.[10] In 1924, he retired as marshal and was appointed as Sheriff of Santa Cruz County a year later, winning a full term in 1926. On September 1, 1927, Governor C. C. Young appointed Holohan as the warden of the San Quentin State Prison, later being re-appointed by James Rolph. As warden, he oversaw 50 executions during his tenure and later led California to adopt the gas chamber as a method of execution, replacing the gallows, while a State Senator.[11]
In 1936, four convicts broke into Holohan's home where a meeting was taking place, beating up Holohan and taking four of the board members hostage.[12] That same year, he resigned due to ill health and the injuries sustained in the incident.[13] He was gifted a scroll signed by more than 5,000 prisoners wishing him well.[14]
Personal life
editHolohan married Adeline V. Fraiser in 1902, with the two having a daughter, Josephine Frasier Holohan, on August 17, 1903.[15] He died at his home in Watsonville on January 31, 1947.[16]
References
edit- ^ "TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES 4,450". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 42, no. 27. November 15, 1904.
- ^ "HOLOHAN DEFEATS ROSS FOR STATE SENATOR". Daily News Leader. Vol. 20, no. 44. November 4, 1908.
- ^ "LEGAL ADOPTION OF BEAR FLAG IS ASKED". San Francisco Call. Vol. 109, no. 44. January 13, 1911.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR HOPES TO BE A CONGRESSMAN". San Jose Mercury-news. Vol. 83, no. 14. July 14, 1912.
- ^ "RIG MAJORITY IS GIVEN HAYES". San Jose Mercury-news. November 6, 1912.
- ^ "Nominates California Marshal". Los Angeles Herald. July 1, 1918.
- ^ "SENATE CONFIRMS HOLOHAN". Sacramento Daily Union. Vol. 175, no. 3. March 3, 1914.
- ^ "HOLOHAN IN RACE". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 9, no. 92. June 20, 1936.
- ^ "Unprecedented Number of Candidates Will Seek Victory in August Primary". Calexico Chronicle. Vol. 32. July 8, 1936.
- ^ "2 SLAIN IN COURT". San Francisco Call. Vol. 103, no. 95. April 23, 1918.
- ^ "Future Killers in California Must Pay With Lives in Gas Chamber". The San Bernardino Sun. Vol. 23. August 28, 1937.
- ^ "Death Penalty For Three Convicts in Escape is Sought". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 7, no. 273. January 17, 1935.
- ^ "BOARD PROBE BOGUS NOTES PRISON FAILS". Madera Tribune. Vol. 67, no. 93. February 21, 1936.
- ^ "Holohan Retires From San Quentin". Madera Tribune. April 16, 1936.
- ^ "Holohan Retires Tonight, Will Seek Rest On Ranch". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 9, no. 45. April 15, 1935.
- ^ "Ex-State Senator J. B. olohan Dies". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 92, no. 127. February 1, 1947.