The herald., 1893-11-28
JUDGE O'MELVENY.

The Bar Suitably Adopts Memorial OF
of Respect.
An adjourned meeting of the bar was
held in department No. ofithe superior
court yesterday morning, Judge Van
Dyke presiding, at which Judge VIM. A.
Cheney presented the following memoir
iaI of respect to Judge III. TX. S. O'Mel-
veny, lately deceased:
Memorial of respect to q. x. s. O'Melveny:
The bar of Los Angeles county had
scarcely given expression toilts deep and
lasting feeling OF regret for the loHs of
far too large number of irs illustrious
and loved members, when the hand of
death was suddenly and unexpectedly
laid upon one of the best and purest men
in the profesHion-the Hon. II. K. S.
O'Melveny.
A courtly, kindly gentleman, he stood
when the others were falling, ripe in
years, rich in experience, honorable in
his dealings with his fellow men, and
wise in the wisdom which comes from a
have beeu said: ssss;
'sThe scythe close by thee swinging,
Thou standest alive midst the dead;
But hear the wssstst eng ringln 81 rs -
H. K. S. O'Metveny was born in Todd
county, KY, March s., 1928. In 1926
his father moved with his, family to
Walnul Hill. Jefferson county, Ill.,, and
a few years later settled in Monroe
county, in that state.
He derived the greater and better
part of his education at McKindree col
lege, Lebanon, Ill. In 1S43 he became
aoio tav niarE of thu 11rf Cf
Monroe county, and began the study Of
under the tutelage of Gen. James
Shield and Col. William Ii. Bissell.
In 1849 he made trip across the
plains to California and arrived in Sac
ramenty City about the 4th day of Au-
gust, lS49. He then entered into part
nership with the late Judge MURRAY
Morrison, but in 1850, having contracted
a serious illness, under the advice of
physiciane, returned to Illinois.
While in California, and during the
year 1S49, he was appointed recorder of
land titles for Sonoma district by
General Riley, then the military COVER
nor OF this state.
In the summer of 1850 he was married
ct Waterloo, n, to Miss A. W. Rose,
sister OF L. j. Rose of this city; and
although he fully intended to return to
California after his marriage, o1portu-
nities for lucrative employment induced
him to remain in Illinois.
In 1850 he was elected Judge of the
circuit court OF the second judicial cir
cult of Illinois, which embraced five
counties, and held the office until the
expiration of his term in 1861, when he
declined denomination. In 1861 he
wss elected delegate to the constitu-
tional convention, called to amend or
draft anew the constitution of that state,
and was chairman of the committee on
resolutions Of that body.
In the year 1923 he was put forward
az candidate ior United States senator,
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
death OF Stephen A. Douglass. His
nomination was against his own wishes,
he considering that Richardson (who
was subsequently elected) was better
entitled to the place.
From the expiration Of his term Of
Office as circuit judge to the time OF his
departure for California in 1869. he was
engrossed in the assiduous practice of
the law. He reached Los Angeles No
vember 15, 1869.
In 1871 he Was elected member of
the common council and became presi-
dent of that body, and was chairman OF
the committee OF thirteen appointed to
negotiate with some railroad company
to construct a railroad to Los Angeles.
After many unsuccessful efforts, an
agreement was made by the committee
with the Southern Pacific Railroad COM
pany to construct a railroad by way OF
Loe Angeles, with branch to Ana
helm.
In 1872 he was elected judge OF the
county court of Los Angeles county,
and held the Office for four years. He
took an active part in the ratification
and adoption of the new constitution OF
1879 of this state. In 1887 he was ap-
pointed Judge of the superior court OF
Los Angeles county by Governor Bart
lett.
At various times during his residence
in Los Angeles he was associated in bus
iness with A. Brunson, H. T. Hazard,
o. o. Trsntum and W. F. Henning.
He died November is, 1898.
Judge O'Melveny was man of most