The herald., 1893-11-19
DEATH OF JUDGE o'mELvENY.
A California Pioneer Passes Away-His
Fvsutfui Career.

A California Pioneer. PASSES Away-His
Eventfui Career.
Judge H. K. S. O'Melveny died last
night at the residence OF his son, Henry
w. O'Melveny, at 1l4S South Pearl
street.
Since he suffered from an apoplectic
stroke about a week ago. he never re-
gained consciousness, although at times
it was thought he recognized some OF
the members OF his family.
He died peacefully, although uncon-
sciouely, and his children were at his
bedside.
Judge O'Melveny was born in 1923,
and was hale, hearty old man, whose
venerable form was familiar one on
the streets of Los Angeles.
For many years he had been known
and respected, not only in the line Of
his profession, but as an upright, honor
able man.
His life was singularlv identified with
some OF the men who have become part
OF the nations history.
He wae born in Todd county. Ken
lucky, and along in 1926, his parents re-
moved to Illinois. There bis younger
days were spent. He went into law
Office and studied. The men whom he
studied with were Gen. James Shields,
afterwards United States senator, and
VIM. H. Bissell, afterwards governor OF
Illinois.
1t was in Waterloo, ILL.,, that these
younger days of the young man were
passed, but he became imbued with the
California fever and arrived in the state
in 1849. He formed partnership with
Murray Morrison, who was afterwards
district Judge of Los Angeles county.
In 1850 Judge O'Melveny returned to
Illinois and was married to Miss A. w.
Rose, sister of L. ]. Rose of Los Angeles.
He soon took a prominent part in his
section and in 1856 was elected Judge OF
the second judicial circuit OF Illinois.
This he held until the expiration OF his
term in 1861.
Judge O'Melveny was warm personal
friend of Stephen A. Douglas and of
Abraham Lincoln. He accompanied Mr..
Douglas in that memorable campaign in
Illinois when the two young statesmen
electrified their audiences with the dis
cussion OF momentous topics.
Judge O'Melveny knew both men we'll
and was q warm friend Of Lincoln, al
though opposed to him politically, his
legal duties bringing him in the same
circuit, and amongst his intimate friends
his recollections of the events OF those
DAYS were exceedingly interesting.
When Mr.. Lincoln was elected United
States senator Judge O'Melveny was
standing immediately alongside OF him
in the senate and was the first OF his
friends to congratulate him.
The Judge was a leading member of
the Illinois constitutional convention of
1862. During that year he was candi-
date to fill the unexpired term of Ste
phen A., Douglas. He came within two
votes in the caucus, but the nomination
went to Senator Richardson.
Afterwards Judge O'Melveny was the
attorney of the Adams Express company
and the Illinois Central Railway COM
pany.
In 1869 he again removed to Califor-
mia, coming directly to Los Angeles,
where he has since lived.
He was president of the city council
in 1871, and was chairman of the COM
mittee OF 13 which negotiated for the
building of the Southern Pacific ID this
city.
In 1872 Judge O'Melveny was elected
Judge of what was then the county court,
and took an active part in the adoption
OF the new constitution. In 1887 he was
appointed superior Judge by Goyernor
BARTLETT. x x
at the termination of his term he
practically retired from active legal life,
i although, with the indomitsble spirit of
the 'Argonauts, he could not be inactive,
and he kept an open Office. 1t was in
pursuance of this peaceful termination
of an honorable career that Judge " Mel
venv was suddenly stricken down.
He leaves his wife and four children,
who all reside in this city, Mrs. George
S. Stafford, Miss Edele, Edward II. and
Henry w. O'Melveny.
The funeral will take place Monday
afternoon from the family residence, at
No. 1l48 South Pearl street.