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Judge David Chavez Jr. Papers

 Collection
Identifier: AC-041-p

Scope and Content

Collection consists of the papers of David Chavez Jr., 1890-1960. Included are: political correspondence, 1926-1955; land records for land in Santa Fe, New Mexico owned by Benjamin M. Read and his heirs, 1890-1931; and a copy of a final decree, heard in Santa Fe, New Mexico, concerning the ownership of a parcel of land on Cerrillos Road, 1960. Political correspondence pertains to various subjects including an allegation of bribery brought against Bronson M. Cutting. Land records for the Read property consist of deeds and an abstract of title.

Dates

  • 1890-1960

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

None

Copy Restrictions

Duplication allowed for research purposes. User responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical Note

Judge David Chavez Jr. was born in Albuquerque on November 12, 1898. His education at the University of New Mexico was interrupted by service in World War I. After his discharge, he took his Bachelor of Laws degree at Georgetown University in 1922. In the same year, he set up practice in Santa Fe. He was elected District Attorney of Santa Fe County on 1932. From 1936-1942, he served as Judge of the First Judicial District.

During World War II, Judge Chavez served in North Africa and Europe as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Department of the United States Army. After the war, he helped establish the War Crimes Group which investigated the Atro cities at Dachan Concentration Camp.

Upon returning to Santa Fe, he was elected again to the position of Judge of the First Judicial District, a position he held for a year before, in 1947, he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico. In 1950, he returned to Santa Fe and private practice. He was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court in 1960, to fill out the term of the retiring Chief Justice, Eugene Lujan. The following year he was elected to his first full term on the Supreme Court.

Judge Chavez married Genevieve Trovillion (1897-1980) in 1926. Throughout her married life, Mrs Chavez was active in public welfare at the local, state, and federal levels. In 1967, she was appointed to the President's Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped, a concern she worked for until her death. She was also interested in Santa Fe's cultural and social life, working in many capacities for such activities as the Opera and the Woman's Club.

Judge and Mrs. Chavez had one daughter, Caroline Trovillion (Carol), born March 29, 1925.

Extent

1 Folder

General

Contact Information

  1. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
  2. The Palace of the Governors
  3. P.O. Box 2087
  4. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2087, U.S.A.
  5. Phone: (+)505.476.5090
  6. Fax: (+)505.476.5093
  7. Email: histlib@mnm.state.nm.us
  8. URL: www.palaceofthegovernors.org

General

Title
Guide to the Judge David Chavez Jr. Papers, 1890-1960
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Processed by Library Staff
Date
©2000
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//Museum of New Mexico::Fray Angelico Chavez History Library//TEXT (US::NmSM::AC 041-P::Judge David Chavez Jr. Papers)//EN" "nmsm1ac041-p.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library Repository

Contact:
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090