Jules Scarceriaux. Anarchist

Scarceriaux was born in Belgium on July 22, 1873 as ‘Jules Fontaine.’ According to FBI files, prior to coming to the United States in 1905, he was imprisoned in France and Germany for anarchist activities.

Scarceriaux moved around from Boston to New York, before ending up in Trenton, New Jersey. While there he became active in both the I.W.W. and the Sanitary Union, Local 45. The FBI made special note of Scarceriaux’s ability to speak nine separate languages, which made him a useful organizer for the I.W.W. His advocacy for the principles of the I.W.W. led to Scarceriaux facing constant criticism within the ranks of the traditional unions, with never-ending threats to bringing him up on charges.

In 1918, Scarceriaux moved to Richmond, CA. While there he faced considerable FBI surveillance regarding his political activity. The FBI informants cozied up Scarceriaux to constantly monitor his movements, documenting his beliefs and activities. 

After living in Richmond for roughly a decade, Scarceriaux moved to Los Angeles. From 1928-1946, he and his wife, Sabina, lived at 1005½ 21st in Los Angeles and later at 4629 Pickford. He was employed as a skilled craftman in Hollywood.

While living in Los Angeles, Scarceriaux was active in the libertarian groups around the Boyle Heights area. He worked with the Kropotkin Group of the Workman Circle & Walt Whitman School. He made ceramic plaques of famous anarchists, wrote for Mother Earth, The Road to Freedom and Man! And did translations for these and other periodicals.

On March 24, 1963, Scarceriaux’s wife, Sabina, passed away. Less than two months later on May 2, 1963, Jules also passed away.

Dockstader Anarchist Mutual Aid Society

https://www.facebook.com/people/Dockstader-Anarchist-Mutual-Aid-Society/100064672570120/ 

[KSL Notes: Scarceriaux was also an anarchist librarian, involved in the Communistic Library in Trenton, N. J. see ‘The Most Interesting Library Club in America’ (International Socialist Review) https://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/t1g3mv ] 

Los Angeles’ Black Rose Historical and Mutual Aid Society renamed themselves the Dockstader Anarchist and Mutual Aid Society, in memory of Seth Dockstader (1971-2003) ‘a contemporary who was a loyal friend and comrade to many still active today.’]