Nevada
County
Biographies
SUMNER T. DIBBLE
A well known representative of the
bar of Grass Valley is Sumner T. Dibble, who by close application to his
professional duties, his earnest preparation of cases and his power of analysis
has gained a leading place in the rank of the legal fraternity of Nevada
County. His entire life has been passed
in California. He is a native of Nevada
County, born August 26, 1860, and is a son of General Alford B. Dibble, who was
a distinguished lawyer of Grass Valley.
He was born in New York but came to California in 1852, by way of the
Isthmus route. Attracted by the
discovery of gold, he spent some time in the mines but afterward turned his
attention to the legal profession and won distinction in his chosen
calling. He was also prominent in the
public affairs of the state and filled several important positions. He was adjutant-general of California and
also served as the first commissioner under Governor Stoneman. His death occurred February 16, 1896, and the
community thereby lost one of its leading men.
He was married in California in 1854 to Miss Emma Allen, a native of New
York. Her family name was McComen, but in early life she was adopted by a family by
the name of Allen and was always thus called.
She still resides in Grass Valley, being one of the estimable ladies of
the town. Her father was a soldier in
the English army.
In a family of five children Sumner
T. Dibble was the third in order of birth, and in the public schools he
acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the
University of the Pacific, at San Jose, and in the Napa Collegiate Institute. Determining to make the practice of law his
life-work he matriculated in the law department of the University of
California, but left that institute in 1884 to become secretary of the state
senate in Sacramento, being appointed by Governor Stoneman. He filled that position for two years, and
completed his law studies under the direction of his father. In 1888 he was admitted to practice in the
state courts, and in 1897 he was appointed notary public by Governor Budd. In politics he is an active Democrat, and has
many times served as delegate to the conventions of his party, but his time is
largely given to his professional duties and his devotion to his client’s
interests is proverbial.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 736-737. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2011
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Nevada County Biographies