Chavez, David, 1898-

David Chavez Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1898. He married Genevieve Trovillion in 1926. He served as: District Attorney for Santa Fe, 1932; United States District Judge for Puerto Rico, 1947; and as a New Mexico Supreme Court Judge, elected to his first full term in 1961.

From the description of Judge David Chavez Jr. papers, 1890-1960 (bulk, 1890-1934). (Museum of New Mexico Library). WorldCat record id: 37396734

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.

From the guide to the Judge David Chavez Jr. Papers, 1890-1960, (Museum of New Mexico. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.)