San
Joaquin County
Biographies
MICHAEL P. SHAUGHNESSY
A leading light in the legal
fraternity of San Joaquin County and prominent in its public life as city
attorney of Stockton, Michael P. Shaughnessy also has an enviable record for
patriotic service, both in the Spanish-America War and in the recent European
conflict. Mr. Shaughnessy is a native of
Minnesota and was born in Sibley County on December 1, 1875. His early education was attained in the
public schools of Minneapolis, and he then entered the University of Minnesota
at Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1895.
Continuing his studies there he took a post-graduate course in law,
which he completed in 1897.
Returning to Minnesota, Mr.
Shaughnessy was admitted to the bar at St. Paul in 1897, and he soon began the
practice of law in Minneapolis, continuing there with marked success for
several years. In 1902 he removed to
Asotin, Washington, and while a resident there he was appointed district
attorney of Asotin County, serving with distinction for two terms. Coming from there to Stockton, California,
Mr. Shaughnessy opened a law office here on September 9, 1915, soon taking his
place among the leaders of the bar, practicing alone until October 1, 1919,
when he formed a partnership with Warren H. Atherton, now city justice of
Stockton, as Shaughnessy & Atherton.
The following year, on January 1, 1920, he was appointed city attorney,
and this important office he has filled most capably.
Soon after his graduation, Mr.
Shaughnessy enlisted in the Thirteenth Minnesota Infantry in May, 1898, for
service in the Spanish War. His regiment
was sent to the Philippines, where he served under General Lawton, taking part
in fifteen engagements and passing through many hardships in that long
campaign. Returning to the United
States, he received his honorable discharge in October, 1899, having spent
eighteen months with the U. S. forces.
Shortly after the entrance of this country in the World War, Mr.
Shaughnessy became a member of the Exemption Board of San Joaquin County, where
for twenty-one months he gave faithful and efficient service, his long military
training making him a most valuable member of this body.
At Spokane, Washington, Mr.
Shaughnessy was united in marriage with Miss Edna M. Ridgway, like himself a
native of Minnesota, and the daughter of William A. and Effie C. (Close)
Ridgeway. Mr. Shaughnessy is prominent
in the Knights of Columbus, and keeps up his military associations by
membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and honorary membership in the
American Legion. He also belongs to
Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., of Stockton.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
715-716. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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