San Francisco County
Biographies
EDWARD A.
CUNHA
One of the most popular and successful of the attorneys now engaged in the practice of their profession in San Francisco is Edward A. Cunha, whose offices are situated in the Flood building. He is a native of Milpitas, California, where his birth occurred April 7, 1885.
Mr. Cunha is a son of Antonio and Margaret (Buckley) Cunha. The father, who had been engaged in mining in Nevada for a period, came to California in 1870 and settled in Milpitas. In that vicinity, he acquired seventy-five acres of land which he planted in fruit, and he also conducted a general store, which involved the duties of postmaster of the village as well. His wife was born in Grass Valley, California, and after completing her education engaged in teaching. While holding a position in Gold Hill, Nevada, she met her future husband, who was then the superintendent of a mine at that place. Antonio Cunha died in the year 1926, and his wife followed him in death in 1927. They became the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Three of the sons became lawyers, one became a dentist, and the four sisters took up teaching.
Edward A. Cunha attended the grade schools of Milpitas, and high school in San Jose, from which he graduated in 1902. He was next a student at Santa Clara College for a short time, and then matriculated at Stanford University, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1907. During his collegiate career, he won marked recognition in a number of university activities. He was president of the student body, and was also president of his class in his junior year. For a period he was likewise head yell leader, and was always active in baseball, football and track work. He was the first student to manage the daily newspaper at Stanford, and was a member of the Carnot debating team. Since leaving the university, he has maintained his wide interests in his alma mater, and is one of the leaders among the alumni of old Stanford.
In 1908, Mr. Cunha passed his examination for admission to the state bar, was admitted, and for one year thereafter was associated with the well known firm of Reed, Black & Reed of Oakland, California. Next he was with L. R. Weinmann, and later was appointed assistant district attorney under Charles M. Frickert. He had the honor of being the chief prosecutor in the famous Thomas J. Money trial on the murder charge, and acquitted himself well in the discharge of this important assignment. For eight years he held the place of assistant district attorney, and subsequently became associated with Harry I. Stafford in the practice of law under the firm name of Stafford & Cunha. This arrangement has been a fortunate one, and the partners have acquired a clientage of large proportions in San Francisco. They are known as ethical and competent, and hold the respect of their contemporaries as well as their patrons.
On April 29, 1920, Mr. Cunha was united in marriage to Miss Helen Hannan, of St. Louis, Missoiri, and they are the parents of one son, William H.
Mr. Cunha is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is a past president of Stanford Parlor of this association. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Olympic Club and the Lakeside Golf Club, in all of which he has been very active. His political affiliation is with the republican party, and he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. In affairs of civic nature in San Francisco, he has maintained the interest of a public-spirited citizen, and has been generous in the support of worthy causes.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 477-479.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
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