Ismael Valdés Vergara
Ismael Valdés Vergara (14 July 1853 – 24 November 1916) was a Chilean lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, as mayor of Santiago, and as a minister of state.
He also served as Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways under President Ramón Barros Luco, from December 1910 to January 1911.
Early life and career
Valdés Vergara was born in Santiago in 1853 to Javier Valdés Aldunate and Antonia Vergara Echevers. His brother Francisco Valdés Vergara also pursued a political career and served in both houses of the National Congress of Chile.
Valdés Vergara attended the St. Ignatius College, Santiago and the Instituto Nacional before studying law at the University of Chile. He qualified as a lawyer in 1878 and subsequently practiced law in Santiago.
He married Leticia Alfonso del Barrio, with whom he had twelve children.
In addition to his legal career, Valdés Vergara taught at the Escuela Franklin and contributed to the newspapers El Heraldo, La Época and La Libertad Electoral. He also translated from French a work by Louis Jacolliot. In 1888, he participated in the establishment of the Club del Progreso and the Academia de Leyes, and the following year was appointed a public prosecutor for civil and treasury matters in Santiago.
Valdés Vergara was also closely associated with the Fire Department of Santiago. He served as its vice superintendent in 1896, as superintendent on several occasions between 1897 and 1907, and as an honorary director from 1902 until his death.
Political career
During the 1891 Chilean Civil War, Valdés Vergara joined the forces opposed to President José Manuel Balmaceda and served on the general staff of the revolutionary army. Following the death of his brother Enrique, he served as secretary of the revolutionary fleet.
A member of the Liberal Party, Valdés Vergara was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Santiago for the 1903–1906 term. His election was approved on 1 July 1903, when he was excluded from the Chamber as a presumptive deputy. He served on the permanent committees for government and for legislation and justice.
President Ramón Barros Luco appointed Valdés Vergara Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways on 23 December 1910. He remained in office until 11 January 1911.
Valdés Vergara later became mayor of Santiago. During his municipal career, he was associated with reforms to the city's administration before retiring from public life in 1915.
Outside elected office, he participated in the Consejo de Gobierno Local and served as its president on several occasions. He also wrote works relating to his experiences in the Santiago Fire Department and the Civil War of 1891.
Valdés Vergara died in Santiago on 24 November 1916.