Martin V. Biscailuz

Martin V. Biscailuz (1861–99) was a prominent attorney in 19th century Los Angeles, California, and a member of the Los Angeles Common Council.

As a result of alcoholism, he later lost his fortune, spent time in jail, and died penniless. He was the father of Eugene Biscailuz, who was elected sheriff of Los Angeles County.

Biscailuz was born in 1861 in France to parents of Basque extraction. His stepfather, Bernardo Donalecke, was a sheep raiser living in San Fernando, California, in 1880. Martin had a younger brother by three years, William, and two younger stepsiblings, Domigo and Mary.

Martin Biscailuz was married to Ida Rose Warren, and while living in the Boyle Heights district in 1883 they had a son, Eugene, who became Los Angeles County sheriff from 1932 to 1958. Martin and his wife later divorced.

Biscailuz was a charter member in November 1883 of the newly formed California Legion No. 1 chapter of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and May 1884 he was secretary of Signet Chapter No. 57, Royal Arch Masons.

In November 1882, at the age of about 21, Biscailuz was admitted by Judge Ygnacio Sepulveda to practice in his division of the Superior Court after having "proved satisfactory testimonials of good moral character, and having undergone a strict examination," and two years later he was nominated in a Democratic Party convention to run in the 2nd Ward for the Los Angeles Common Council. He was elected and served a one-year term.

While on the council, he was in opposition to Police Chief Edward McCarthy, and when Mayor Edward F. Spence submitted a report excoriating the chief, Biscailuz offered a motion declaring McCarthy's office vacant. The motion was ruled out of order at the time, but by the next week McCarthy was out of office and John Horner was appointed in his place.

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