James Wilfred McKinley
James Wilfred McKinley (April 24, 1857 – May 11, 1918) was city attorney of Los Angeles, California, and a judge of the Superior Court in that state as well as a regent of the University of California.
James Wilfred McKinley | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles City Attorney | |
| In office 1884–1886 | |
| Preceded by | Walter D. Stephenson |
| Succeeded by | J.C. Daly |
Personal
McKinley was born on April 24, 1857, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Samuel McKinley and Harriet Newell Simpson McKinley. He was educated in a New Castle public school, and he attended the University of Pennsylvania (1876–77) and the University of Michigan (1877–79), where he was graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He came to California in 1883.[1][2]
He was married to Lillian Elder on October 7, 1886, and they had a son, James W. McKinley Jr. The older McKinley was a member of the Jonathan Club, the University Club, the Masons and the Knights Templar.[1][2] He was also a member of the Sunset Club[3] and the Union League clubs of Los Angeles and of San Francisco.[2]
McKinley died of a paralytic stroke in his home, 508 West Adams Street, on May 11, 1918.[1] A funeral service at St. John's Church drew hundreds of attendees. Interment was at Inglewood Cemetery.[3]
Vocation
In 1881 he was admitted to the bar in New Castle, and two years later he came to California and formed a law partnership with J.F. Hutton. After Hutton's death, McKinley became a partner with W.T. Williams. McKinley was elected city attorney in 1884, was reelected in 1886 and served until 1888.[1][4]
In 1889 he was appointed judge in the Superior Court and then was elected to the post, serving until January 1897.[1]
As an attorney, he represented the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Pacific Electric Railroad.[1] He was on the board of directors of the Commercial National Bank and the Market and Produce Bank.[2]
McKinley went into politics and was chairman of the California delegation to the 1904 Republican National Convention, and he was chairman of the California Republican Convention of 1906.[1]
In 1903 he was appointed a regent of the University of California.[2]
References
- "Death Summons Former Judge," Los Angeles Times, May 12, 1918, page II-10
- Los Angeles Public Library reference file, with sources as noted there
- "Many at Funeral of Judge J.W. M'Kinley," Los Angeles Times, May 14, 1918, page II-5
- Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials 1850–1938, Municipal Reference Library, March 1938, reprinted 1946
| Preceded by Walter D. Stephenson |
Los Angeles City Attorney James Wilfred McKinley 1884-86 |
Succeeded by J.C. Daly |