Rodriguez, Abelardo

Born in San Jose de Guaymas, Sonora , in a poor family, he worked at the beginning of his life in a hardware store, in copper mines, and as a professional baseball player. Without completing his studies, he joined the Mexican Revolution in 1913 and made a quick military career. He became a colonel in 1916, and after implementing the Agua Priet plan, he was appointed military commandant of Northern Baja California in 1921.

In 1923, he became governor of Northern Baja California and remained in this post until 1929, remaining a military commandant. Another year after that, he served as governor of Northern Baja California, and then in 1932 he held high posts in the office of President Ortiz.

After the resignation of Ortiz, Rodriguez assumed the presidency on September 4, 1932. In this post, he contributed to the creation of several financial institutions, the restoration of public education and the implementation of laws relating to private charity and the activities of monopolies. He also extended the term of office from four to six years.

After the presidential term expired on November 30, 1934, Rodriguez returned to private life until 1943, when he was elected governor of the state of Sonora , where he had a significant influence on education. He contributed to the development of university education, the creation of Sonora State University. He resigned as governor in April 1948, citing health conditions. He returned to his business job, which he continued to do until his death in La Hoya, California, in 1967.

• Biography Accessed April 16, 2005

• Camp, Roderic A. Mexican Political Biographies. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona, 1982.