San Francisco County
Biographies
HON. JOSEPH D. REDDING
HON. JOSEPH D. REDDING was born in Sacramento, September 13,
1858. In 1871 he entered the California
Military Academy at Oakland, of which the Rev. David McClure was principal, and
the discipline to which he was subjected served to fix a habit of precision
which has adhered to him ever since. He
received an honorable discharge in 1873.
From that school he entered the Urban academy
and prepared for a collegiate course under professor Nathan W. Moore. He graduated there in 1876, and was admitted
into the scientific department of Harvard University in the same year. During 1878 and a portion of 1879 he attended
the lectures of Harvard Law School. In
August, 1879, he entered the law offices of McAllister & Bergen, in San
Francisco, and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of California,
in December of that year. He has been in
active practice in this city and county ever since. He has also practiced before the Supreme Court
of the United States and before the departments at Washington. He has been one of the attorneys for the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company since 1881, with special reference to the
land departments. This was a responsible
position for a young attorney of only twenty-three years of age.
He had a wide experience in many
important legal cases, having been directly connected with them. He conducted that of the United States vs. Kagama, before the Supreme Court of the United States, at
Washington, and before the Circuit Court of the United States, in California,
to a successful termination. The case
was one of national importance, from the fact that it was the first attempt of
the United States to arrest and try an Indian for the killing of another Indian,
both being upon their reservation. Mr.
Redding appeared for the defendant, who was acquitted by the jury under
instructions from the Circuit Court, regarding the jurisdiction of the United
States in these matters. Had he not
carefully and closely examined the legal points connected with this case, he
could never have gained the victory over the plaintiffs.
He was connected with the Nanon case, which was a suit involving the right of a
composer of an opera, who had his composition in manuscript, to an injunction
preventing the production of the same by third parties. The Circuit Court sat in the bane, and after
three days’ argument granted the injunction.
Mr. Redding has a large and
lucrative practice, which is estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000 per year.
From his boyhood days he has been a
passionate admirer of music. He
commenced to compose at an early age, and his compositions evince a remarkable
degree of rhythmic harmony and pleasing evenness. There was a sympathy
and a musicalness in them that was delightfully
combined with freedom of expression and richness of cadence. His numerous published compositions have not
only been greatly admired, but have won their way in public favor and popular
attention. Such was his proficiency in
musical execution that when, at the age of thirteen, he accompanied Hugo Mansfeldt on a concert tour to Marysville, he was
pronounced a “phenomenon.” He studied
earnestly under the best masters, and by assiduity and determination he has
reached an eminence in musical skill that but few can attain. When he was in college at Cambridge, such was
his marked ability that he received the directorship of the college
orchestra. He was also stage manager of
the Athenseum in 1878-’79. He wrote several comedies, which were
produced in many of the college societies of New England, with great success, and much money was
gained through them, which was all applied to charitable purposes.
In 1878 he won the cue at billiards
at Cambridge at the tournament. He is
very proficient in the fascinating game of chess; and his moves and plans are
devised with a deep knowledge of the game, and his manoeuvres
are executed with such strategy as to insure success. He held the chess
championship for 1884-’85. Dr. Zukertort, the world’s champion, visited the
coast at that time, and when he returned he published in the chess magazines
that Mr. Redding was the best player on the Pacific coast. He succeeded in winning three games from Dr. Zukertort in 1884 at Mechanies’
Library.
Mr. Redding was appointed Major in
the State Militia, by Governor Stoneman, in 1888, but
declined the appointment. He evidently
does not seek for military glory “in these piping times of peace.”
He has taken an active interest in pisciculture, particularly since the death of his father,
the late B. B. Redding, in 1882. In this
matter he has ever evinced a laudable regard for the welfare of the State and
the happiness of the citizens, by his active exertions in favor of stocking the
interior waters of the State with fish suitable for food. He was appointed special agent of the United
States Fish Commission for the Pacific coast, by the Hon. Spencer F. Baird.
He was instrumental, with Hon. W.W.
Morrow, in securing the passage of an act of Congress, appropriating $27,000
for the purpose of bringing the United States ship Albatross to this coast to
investigate the marine fisheries on it.
Mr. Redding has shown a persistent determination that the fish in our
inland waters, the young of which were placed there for the benefit of the
citizens, shall be protected from depredations, and that the blessings of a
plentiful supply and a wide variety shall both be firmly secured.
In the multitude of his vocations he still finds
time to prove that his sympathies are with those who are proper recipients for
charitable aid. In the furtherance of
these kindly dispensations, he has often expended time that otherwise was
valuable to himself, in preparing to take a part in theatrical representations,
the proceeds of which were to be used in benevolent purposes. He appeared upon the stage in San Francisco
several times for this generous purpose.
He was manager of the “Cervantes” booth during the Authors’ carnival in
1880, and also manager with Charles E. Locke of the carnival of 1881. He also participated in the performance of
“Our Boys,” at the Alcazar Theatre, in 1886, with General Barnes and other
prominent persons, for the benefit of charity, on which occasion over $5,000
was realized. This proves what can be
accomplished by an able, liberal and energetic man, who is desirous to exert
himself in the line of beneficence and ameliorate humanity. The nobleness of his character is proven in
the fact, that though he has never known want or experienced privation, he
generously and practically sympathizes with those whose lot in life has not
been favored with all that existence requires to produce comfort and
sustenance. To such his hand is ever
open, and his words and acts prove his sincerity in their behalf.
He is an able, forcible and
convincing speaker. His predicates are
logically sustained, and the subject matter clearly elucidated, while his
manner is attractive and his magnetism decidedly evident. In 1884, he delivered a lecture before the
Academy of Science, on the fish supply of the Pacific coast, which was warmly
applauded.
As a writer, his opinions are warmly
and fairly stated, and his line of argument closely followed. In descriptive subjects he is an elegant
word-painter, and presents them in so pleasing, graphic and attractive a manner
that his readers are charmed and impressed by his delineations. He has been, and is a frequent contributor of
articles to the leading magazines and literary journals of this coast, on a
variety of subjects which always command attention.
He is genial and sociable, and his
presence is desired and welcomed at all times in the club rooms and society
gatherings. He was elected president of
the Bohemian Club in 1885.
He appreciates art, and is a liberal
patron of its productions. So well is
this feature in his character understood and esteemed, that in 1886 he was
elected to the presidency of the San Francisco Art Association, which honorable
position he still retains. He was
elected president of the Haydn Society in 1887, and still occupies that
chair. He is also a member of the
Pacific Club, as well as of many other societies and organizations of this
city.
In his home relations, he is
exceedingly happy, with a lovely wife who is in full accord with his
characteristics, and who presides over the domestic arrangements in an
intelligent and kindly manner. She is
the daughter of the Hon. Samuel W. Cowles and they were married in 1881. A lovely daughter has blessed their union,
and their home is brightened with the infantile presence of the baby girl.
Transcribed by Terry Smith.
Source:
"The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, pages 16-19, Lewis Publishing Co,
1892.
© 2005 Terry Smith.