Los Angeles
County
Biographies
RICHARD
DUNNIGAN
A
lawyer of high standing, Richard Dunnigan was an acknowledged leader of his
profession in Los Angeles, and gave proof of his faith in the future of the
city by becoming one of its large property owners. He was born at St. Mary’s, Indiana, August 4,
1842, and the early years of his life were spent on a farm near that town. There he obtained a common school education,
and began the study of law in the office of Senator Voorhees at Terre Haute,
Indiana, where he was admitted to the bar.
In
search of health Mr. Dunnigan came to Los Angeles in 1883 and remained here
until his death on the 9th of July, 1905, when nearly sixty-three
years of age. He practiced before the
courts of Los Angeles for twenty-two years and was noted for the precision of
his briefs, the logic of his arguments and the success with which he handled
cases of a difficult nature. In 1896 he
formed a partnership with his son, H. L. Dunnigan, with offices in the Law
building. For many years the father was
attorney for the estate of Senora Maria (Esperitu) de
Leonis, one of the notable estates of southern
California. A man of foresight and
sagacity, Mr. Dunnigan acquired large property interests and was an important
factor in the upbuilding and improvement of the Los Angeles area. He opened a seventeen-acre tract on the east
side, known as Meadow Glenn, and later subdivided the seven-acre estate of Mr. Tehan in the vicinity of Pico and Figueroa streets. He had fifteen hundred acres at Elizabeth
Lake, in Los Angeles County. He also
built the Crystal Plunge in Santa Monica and was a part owner of the old law
building which stood next to the city jail.
He was financially interested in the San Dimas Water Company, was one of
the originators of the San Dimas Dam, and derived a substantial income from his
numerous investments.
In
1872 Mr. Dunnigan was married to Miss Maria Lancaster Adams, who was born at
Terre Haute, Indiana, April 1, 1847, and pursued her education at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. They were the parents of six children, of
whom one died in infancy. The others
are: Harry L. and Richard A., both
well-known attorneys of Los Angeles; Raymond, who is engaged in the real estate
business at San Jose, California; Paula E. and Florence A.
A
staunch Democrat, Mr. Dunnigan was active in both city and state politics, and
in community affairs he ever manifested a progressive spirit and an earnest
desire to promote the general welfare.
He was devoted to his profession, faithfully serving his clients and to
the best of his ability upholding the majesty of the law. Actuated at all times by a strong sense of
duty and honor, he was loyal to the ties of home and friendship and true to every
relation in life. At the death of
Richard Dunnigan the following resolutions were adopted by the Vigo County (Ind.)
Bar Association and the Los Angeles Bar Association: His sterling qualities were widely known,
likewise his liberality and benevolence, which won for him the esteem and friendship
of all with whom he was brought in contact.”
Transcribed
by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South Vol.
IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 715-716,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V.
Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES