Frederick J. Whiffen
Frederick James Whiffen was an American politician who served in the Los Angeles City Council from 1910 until 1913, serving as President of the Los Angeles City Council from 1913 to 1915. He pursued a career in retail before moving into business ventures in cattle and iron manufacturing. He later shifted his focus to real estate, relocating to Los Angeles in 1892. Whiffen was elected to the City Council as part of the Good Government organization and played a key role in local politics, including a mayoral run in 1915 election.
Early life and career
Whiffen was born on January 18, 1848, in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin to William Whiffen and Mary Ann Hitchcock. He received his education at a district school and attended Bryant and Chase Business College in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career as a clerk in a retail dry goods store before partnering with M. A. Calkins in 1873 to form the firm Whiffen & Calkins. The business grew significantly, and in 1887, Whiffen sold his interest in the company. He then invested in a herd of range cattle in Wyoming and an iron manufacturing business in Rockford, Illinois. By 1890, he had sold these investments and shifted his focus to real estate. In 1892, Whiffen moved to Los Angeles, California.Los Angeles City Council
On March 22, 1910, two members of the Los Angeles City Council, John D. Works and Richmond Plant, resigned. Works left to pursue a seat in the U.S. Senate, while Plant resigned amid an investigation. Following their resignations, the City Council called for an election to fill the vacant seats. On April 17, 1910, Whiffen announced his candidacy for the Good Government nomination and was subsequently nominated along with George H. Stewart.In the primary election, Whiffen placed fourth, behind Bernard Healy, Stewart, and Arthur D. Houghton. In the general election, he and Stewart won the election, gaining the two seats for the Good Government organization. He stated that he had "no interest, directly or indirectly, with any corporation" and vowed to represent the people faithfully.
In 1911, Whiffen ran for re-election on the general ticket for the Good Government organization. In the general election, Whiffen placed eighth and was re-elected to the city council. On July 1, 1913, Whiffen was elected as the President of the Los Angeles City Council. He officially took office on July 7, succeeding George Williams.