Los
Angeles County
Biographies
JOHN GRIFFIN MOTT
John Griffin Mott, a leading
attorney of Los Angeles, was born in Los Angeles on the 3rd of
August, 1874, his parents being Thomas D. and Ascension (Sepulveda) Mott. The latter is a member of one of the oldest
and most prominent Spanish families of Southern California. Thomas D. Mott was a native of New York state, coming to California in 1849 and establishing a
permanent home in Los Angeles in 1852.
He died February 19, 1904, and was frequently referred to by the title
of “Father of Modern Los Angeles.”
John G. Mott attended St. Vincent’s
College of Los Angeles, going from there to Santa Clara College of Santa Clara,
California. Subsequently he entered
Norte Dame University in Indiana, from which he was graduated with the degrees
of Bachelor of Letters and Bachelor of Laws in 1896. He further prepared himself for his
professional career by taking a postgraduate course in the Catholic University
of America at Washington, D. C., from which he received the degree of Master of
Laws. After concluding his university
work Mr. Mott returned to Los Angeles, where he entered upon the practice of law
and has since continued in his chosen profession, being made president of the
Los Angeles County Bar Association in 1925.
In matters affecting the public
welfare Mr. Mott has always taken an active interest. Among his successful efforts was the securing
of the government’s approval of the site for the present Federal Building in
Los Angeles during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, who signed the
bill. He also aided effectively in
bringing to Los Angeles the Owens River Aqueduct. During his entire career Mr. Mott has been a
recognized leader in the Republican Party in California. When Mr. Hoover planned his now historic
post-election tour to the various countries of South America he invited as his
personal guest Mr. Mott, because of the latter understands through his Spanish
heritage of Latin-American peoples. Mr.
Mott is one of the outstanding orators of Southern California, and immediately
following his return from South America with Mr. Hoover, carried on an
extensive speaking campaign, bringing to his audience a closer knowledge of
Latin America and resulting good to come from Mr. Hoover’s contact with the
nations thereof. Mr. Mott was chairman
of the executive committee of the wonderful achievement celebration in 1932
making the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the city of Los
Angeles.
On the 23rd of February,
1905, Mr. Mott was united in marriage to Miss Lila Jean Fairchild, of Los
Angeles. They have one daughter, Miss
Barbara Theresa Mott.
Mr. Mott is a member of Los Angeles
Lodge, No. 99, B. P. O. E., of which he is a past exalted ruler, Knights of
Columbus, Native Sons of the Golden West, Sons of the American Revolution, the
California Club, and the Cregs Country Club. Along strictly professional lines he has
membership in the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the California State Bar
Association and the American Bar Association.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 357-358, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES