Background
Heney, Francis Joseph was born on March 17, 1859 in Lima, New York, United States. Son of Richard and Julia (Schreiber) Heney.
Heney, Francis Joseph was born on March 17, 1859 in Lima, New York, United States. Son of Richard and Julia (Schreiber) Heney.
Resident San Francisco, since 1864. Educated public primary, grammar and night schools, 1866-1875, University of California, 1879-1880, Hastings Law School, 1883-1884.
In cattle business in Arizona, 1885-1889. Conducted Indian trader store, Fort Apache, Arizona, 1886-1888. Practiced law, Tucson, Arizona, 1889-1895.
Took prominent part in litigation by which titles under Mexican land grants in Arizona were settled, and in argument of three land-grant cases before Supreme Court of the United States. Was attorney general, Arizona, 1893-1894. Removed to San Francisco, 1895, and confined cases to civil business until urged by Attorney General Knox to undertake land fraud causes at Portland, Oregon.
Discovered conspiracy of the United States Attorney John H. Hall to protect guilty politicians in consideration of reappointment. Secured removal and indictment of Hall, and indictment of Senator Mitchell, George C. Brownell, and others. As deputy district attorney, appointed to prosecute offenders at San Francisco, brought about indictment and conviction of Mayor Eugene Schmitz and Abe Ruef, devoting 3 years, without compensation, to these and other cases.
Progressive Party candidate for United States Senate, 1914. Democratic presidential elector, 1916. Special attorney for Federal Trade Commission, in charge of investigation of high cost of living, with special reference to the packing industry, July 1917-April 1918.
Democratic candidate for government of California, 1918, but prevented by decision of Supreme Court, on account of technicality, from having name appear on the ballot. Appointed special counsel for United States Senate committee investigating Internal Revenue Bureau, April 1924. Judge Superior Court of California, city and county of Los Angeles, since 1931.
Home: Santa Monica, California.