John D. Works

Who was John D. Works?

John Downey Works was a U.S. Senator representing California from 1911 to 1917.

John Downey Works was born in Indiana and attended private schools there. As a young man he served in the American Civil War as a member of the Tenth Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. After a few years as a lawyer in Indiana he moved to San Diego, California in 1883 and rose in California politics. He was elected to the US Senate in 1911 and as a Senator he served on the committee on Expenditures in the War Department and the Committee on Fisheries. After retiring from the Senate he wrote two books: Duty to Man: A Study of Social Conditions and How They May Be Improved and What's Wrong With the World? He died in Los Angeles and his ashes were placed in Inglewood Park Cemetery. He is said to have been a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist.