Thomas Lee Woolwine (1874 - 1925)

Born 31 Oct 1874 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

Ancestors

Husband of Alma (Foy) Gravel — married 7 Nov 1900 in Los Angeles County, California

Died 8 Jul 1925 at age 50 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

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Biography

Thomas Woolwine is Notable.

Thomas Lee Woolwine was the Los Angeles County District Attorney from 1914-1923, He was a historic figure in the notorious William Desmond Taylor murder case.

Parents:

• Samuel Shanklin Woolwine (1845 - 1901)
• Sallie S Woolwine (1847 - 1904)

Spouse:

• Alma Foy Woolwine Gravel (1880 - 1960)

Children:

• Thomas Lee Woolwine (1904 - 1936)

Thomas Lee Woolwine Jr. was the biological son of Samuel Woolwine Jr. (1872 - 1934) and Louwille Wallace Woolwine and the adopted son of Thomas Lee Woolwine and Alma Foy Woolwine Gravel. He was born in TN and grew up in Los Angeles. Thomas Jr. worked as an investigator in Los Angeles. He died at 31 of TB. He was cremated at the time of his death and shares a grave with his adoptive father. ^[1]

Thomas began his career as a deputy DA in 1908. He ran for Governor of California under the Democratic ticket in 1922, but lost to Friend Richardson.

Woolwine's investigations ended the careers of two L.A. Mayors. He also attempted to jail Rudy Valentino for bigamy. However, he made his way into Hollywood legend during the case of the 1922 murder of movie director William Desmond Taylor.

Many historians believe that Woolwine destroyed crucial evidence in the case after being bribed by the mother of one of the prime suspects. The case was never solved.

When he resigned his office in 1923, he was succeeded by Asa Keyes.

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 142323791, Thomas Lee Woolwine, Jr

• Wikipedia article: Thomas L. Woolwine

• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLWK-H27

• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVLS-TTF

• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQL-M8J

• Find A Grave Memorial# 8005468