Anthony Dimond

Anthony Joseph Dimond (November 30, 1881 – May 28, 1953) was an American Democratic Party politician who was the Alaska Territory Delegate in the United States House of Representatives from 1933 to 1945. Dimond was also an early champion of Alaska statehood.

Anthony Dimond
Dimond c. 1939
Delegate to the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Alaska Territory's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1945
Preceded byJames Wickersham
Succeeded byBob Bartlett
Judge for the Third Division of Alaska Territory
In office
January 3, 1945 – May 28, 1953
PresidentHarry Truman
Dwight Eisenhower
Member of the Alaska Territorial Senate
In office
1923–1926
In office
1929–1932
Mayor of Valdez
In office
1925–1928
In office
1920–1922
Personal details
Born(1881-11-30)November 30, 1881
Palatine Bridge, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 28, 1953(1953-05-28) (aged 71)
Anchorage, Alaska Territory, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDorothea M. Dimond
Children3, including John H. Dimond
ProfessionJudge, lawyer, schoolteacher

Early life

Dimond, known as "Tony,"[1] was born in Palatine Bridge, Montgomery County, New York and attended Catholic schools, taught school in Montgomery County (1900–1903), and was a prospector/miner in Alaska (1905–1912) before studying law and beginning practice in Valdez (1913).[2]

Political career
Dimond as Mayor of Valdez, c. 1922

Dimond's political experience includes: US Commissioner in Chisana, Alaska (1913–1914); Special Assistant US Attorney for the 3rd Judicial Division of Alaska in Valdez (1917); Mayor of Valdez (1920–1922, 1925–1932); Alaska Territorial Senate (1923–1926, 1929–1932); and District Judge for the 3rd Division of Alaska (1945–1953). He also served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936 and 1940. He died on May 28, 1953, in Anchorage.

A Roman Catholic, Dimond was a member of organizations such as the Elks, Moose and Eagles.

Mentees' careers

His secretary from 1933 to 1934, Bob Bartlett, eventually became a United States senator from Alaska, serving from 1959 to 1968. His godson, Bill Egan, became Alaska's first Governor after Statehood, serving from 1959 to 1966 and from 1970 to 1974. His son, John H. Dimond, became a Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court following statehood.

Legacy

Today, November 30 is celebrated by the State of Alaska as "Anthony Dimond Day."[3] In Anchorage, A. J. Dimond High School and Dimond Boulevard, a major thoroughfare, are named after him.

Slattery Report

In 1940, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was considering making Alaska an international Jewish homeland, Dimond was the main force behind defeating the effort.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Many Pay Tribute to Judge Anthony J. Dimond," Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, June 1, 1951, 1. Retrieved Dec. 20, 2022.
  2. "Dimond, Anthony Joseph." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Office of the Historian. Accessed 1 Feb. 2013.
  3. "Anthony J. Dimond Day," Justia US Law, 2021, c. 2022. Retrieved Dec. 20, 2022.
  4. Kizzia, Tom. "Are there no exceptions? Archived September 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine" Anchorage Daily News, 19 May 1999. Accessed 1 Feb. 2013.
  • United States Congress. "Anthony Dimond (id: D000353)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Anthony Joseph Dimond at Find a Grave
  • Anthony Dimond at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
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