Finding aid for the Foley and Sepulveda family papers 7042
Foley and Sepulveda family papers
Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
2017 September
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Foley and Sepulveda family papers
creator:
Morrow, Zelinda
creator:
Foley, William I.
creator:
Morrow, Bernard
creator:
Morrow, Viola Lillian Foley
Identifier/Call Number: 7042
Physical Description:
8.17 Linear Feet
10 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1850-1953, undated
Abstract: The Foley and Sepulveda family papers consists of letters, diaries, photographs, photograph albums, books, legal documents
and ephemera, 1850-1953 and undated, created and collected by various members of the Sepulveda and Foley families. The bulk
of the collection consists of materials created and collected by William I. (W.I.) Foley and his daughter Viola Lillian Foley
Morrow. Also included are some items from Foley's wife Sara Dolores Sepulveda, their children Zoraya, Rupert, and Elsa Zelinda,
Sara's parents Jose Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo, his granddaughter Zelinda Morrow, and various relatives
of Foley's. The Sepulveda and Foley families became connected through the marriage of William I. Foley and Sara Dolores Sepulveda.
Foley was the son of a 49er, Francis Foley, who settled in San Francisco. He was schooled in San Francisco and New York,
where he earned a law degree from Columbia University. He opened his first Southern California law office in Pomona in 1884,
and moved his practice to Los Angeles in 1887, where he met future Governor Henry Tifft Gage. When Gage was elected Governor
in 1899, Foley accompanied him to Sacramento as his private secretary. Foley and Gage would later open a law practice together
in Los Angeles, with offices in the Central Building. Foley married Sara Dolores Sepulveda, daughter of Jose Dolores de Jesus
Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo, in 1889. The couple had four children, Zoraya Filema, Rupert, Elsa Zelinda, and Viola. Sara
died tragically in a street car accident in 1906.
Language of Material: The material is in both English and Spanish. Some materials are in French.
Historical note
The Sepulveda and Foley families became connected through the marriage of William I. Foley and Sara Dolores Sepulveda. Foley
was the son of a 49er, Francis Foley, who settled in San Francisco. He was schooled in San Francisco and New York, where
he earned a law degree from Columbia University. He opened his first Southern California law office in Pomona in 1884, and
moved his practice to Los Angeles in 1887, where he met future Governor Henry Tifft Gage. When Gage was elected Governor in
1899, Foley accompanied him to Sacramento as his private secretary. Foley and Gage would later open a law practice together
in Los Angeles, with offices in the Central Building. Foley married Sara Dolores Sepulveda, daughter of Jose Dolores de Jesus
Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo, in 1889. The couple had four children, Zoraya Filema, Rupert, Elsa Zelinda, and Viola. Sara
died tragically in a street car accident in 1906.
Content Description
The Foley and Sepulveda family papers consists of letters, diaries, photographs, photograph albums, books, legal documents
and ephemera, 1850-1953 and undated, created and collected by various members of the Foley and Sepulveda families. The bulk
of the collection consists of materials created and collected by William I. (W.I.) Foley and his daughter Viola Lillian Foley
Morrow. Also included are some items from Foley's wife Sara Dolores Sepulveda, their children Zoraya, Rupert, and Elsa Zelinda,
Sara's parents Jose Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo, his granddaughter Zelinda Morrow, and various relatives
of Foley's.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into 6 series: 1. W.I. Foley; 2. Viola Lillian Foley Morrow; 3. Elsa Zelinda Foley; 4. Zelinda
Morrow; 5. Foley family; 6. Sepulveda family. Each series is generally arranged chronologically.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], Foley and Sepulveda family papers, Collection no. 7042, Regional History Collection, Special
Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from The Bookshop, January 6, 2017.
The papers originally come from the estate of Zelinda Morrow, daughter of Viola Foley Morrow, great granddaughter of Jose
Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda.
Related Materials
Zoraya Filema Foley journal, Collection no. 6076, Special Collections, USC Libraries
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- Archival resources
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social life and customs -- Archival resources
Books
Cabinet photographs
Cartes-de-visite (card photographs)
Clippings
Correspondence
Drawings (visual works)
Ephemera
Legal documents
Photograph albums
Photographs
Realia
Textiles
Foley family -- Archives
Sepulveda family -- Archives
Barry, James H., 1855-1927 -- Archives
Foley, Elsa Zelinda -- Archives
Foley, Sara Dolores Sepulveda -- Archives
Foley, William I. -- Archives
Foley, Zoraya Filema -- Archives
Gage, Henry Tifft, 1852-1924 -- Archives
Morrow, Bernard -- Archives
Morrow, Viola Lillian Foley -- Archives
Morrow, Zelinda -- Archives
Sepulveda, Jose Dolores de Jesus -- Archives
William I. Foley
1874-1921, undated
Biographical / Historical
William I. (W.I.) Foley was born in San Francisco in 1861, son of 49er Francis Foley. He attended Saint Ignatius Jesuit College
in San Francisco, and then earned his law degree from Columbia University in New York. He practiced law first in San Francisco,
then Seattle, and eventually opened his first Southern California office in Pomona in 1884. In 1887 he opened an office in
Los Angeles, and there met future Governor Henry Tifft Gage. When Gage was elected Governor in 1899, Foley accompanied him
to Sacramento as his private secretary. Gage offered him a judgeship on the state Supreme Court, which he declined, but he
did eventually serve as Attorney for the State Board of Health, in which position he drafted many acts which would be included
in the state's health laws. Foley and Gage would later open a law practice together in Los Angeles, with offices in the Central
Building.
In 1889, Foley married Sara Dolores Sepulveda, daughter of Jose Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo. The couple
had four children, Zoraya Filema, Rupert, Elsa Zelinda, and Viola. In 1908, Foley built a family home at 751 South Catalina
Street, designed by architect B. Cooper Corbett.
Foley was also an amateur poet, and collaborated on an opera with Mario Hediger (a copy of the libretto can be found in the
collection). The two also composed some patriotic songs during World War I. Foley's daughter Elsa Zelinda, who made her career
in music as a coloratura soprano, also collaborated with Hediger on a patriotic World War I song.
Sara died tragically in a street car accident in 1906; Foley died in Los Angeles in 1921.
Scope and Contents
This series contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, manuscripts, and legal documents. Of particular note are the
letters from Foley to his future wife, Sara Dolores Sepulveda, which are in Spanish; Foley's manuscripts of poetry; deeds
to various mining claims in which he was involved; and letters to Commodore James Barry, who was a personal friend.
Arrangement
The series is arranged chronologically.
Box 2, Folder 1
Clippings
1874-1914
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous clippings collected by (?) W.I. Foley. Includes three issues of the San Francisco Star, the newspaper published
by Foley's friend James H. Barry.
Box 1, Folder 1
Correspondence
1882-1910
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous correspondence between Foley and various family and friends. Includes telegram from Foley to Francis Foley
announcing the death of Sara Sepulveda Foley.
Box 1, Folder 2
W.I. Foley to Sara Dolores Sepulveda
1884 July-1886 April
Scope and Contents
Letters in Spanish to Sara prior to their marriage.
Box 1, Folder 3, Box 5, Folder 1, 6
Photographs
1887, undated
Scope and Contents
Photographs of Foley, Sara, Foley and Sara's wedding portrait, and houses on Menlo Street, Boyle Heights, and Central Avenue.
Box 2, Folder 2
Lease document for Maria Antonia Lugo de Sepulveda
1896 December 31
Scope and Contents
Lease document made by Maria Antonia Lugo Sepulveda to rent a portion of Rancho San Antonio to a farmer of barley crops; Rancho
San Antonio now encompasses the cities ofd Bell, Bell Gardens, Vernon, Huntington Park, South Gate, and Commerce.
Box 2, Folder 3
Foley family members--drawings
1901, 1916, undated
Box 1, Folder 4
W.I. Foley and Sara Foley obituaries
1906, 1921
Scope and Contents
Newspaper clippings
Box 1, Folder 5
Letters to "Commodore" James H. Barry
1913, 1915
Box 2, Folder 4
Manuscripts and typescripts
1916, 1918, undated
Scope and Contents
Poems and essays by Foley.
Box 2, Folder 5
Mining deeds and placer claim
1916
Box 2, Folder 6
Los Angeles Times obituary
1921
Box 2, Folder 7, Box 5, Folder 7
Henry Tifft Gage
undated
Scope and Contents
Typed biography of Gage and inscribed photograph.
Box 2, Folder 8
Composition books
undated
Scope and Contents
Student workbooks.
Box 4
Photograph album
Scope and Contents
Photograph album depicting the family of W.I. Foley.
Box 9
W.I. Foley's copper engraved calling card plate
Viola Lillian Foley Morrow
1902-1944, undated
Biographical note
Viola Lillian Foley Morrow, daughter of W.I. Foley (1861-1921) and Sara Dolores Sepulveda (1965-1906), was born in Los Angeles.
She married Bernard Morrow in April of 1921; they had a daughter Zelinda, from whom the collection originated. Viola had
three siblings, Zoraya (who died in 1911), Elsa Zelinda, noted coloratura soprano, and Rupert. Her mother was the duaghter
of Jose Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo. Her father was the son of Francis Foley, a 49er who settled in
San Francisco. Viola died in Los Angeles in 1960.
Scope and Contents
This series contains photographs, letters and scrapbooks, created by Viola Lillian Foley (later Morrow), from the time she
was a young girl through motherhood. Of particular note is the correspondence between Viola and her husband Bernard Morrow,
from 1919-1922 (prior to and after their marriage).
Arrangement
The series is arranged chronologically.
Box 6
Autograph/friendship book
1902 November-December
Box 1, Folder 6
Emile Choffet
1909-1919
Scope and Contents
Letters and postcards, in French. Includes an inscribed photograph of Choffet.
Box 1, Folder 7
Zoraya Foley
1910-1911
Scope and Contents
Letters to Viola.
Box 1, Folder 8
Mario Hediger
1916-1917
Scope and Contents
Letters to Viola in Spanish. Also includes photographs of Hediger, some in costume, some inscribed to Viola. Hediger was
a composer who worked with both William I. Foley and Elsa Zelinda Foley.
Box 1, Folder 9
Ephemera
1922, undated
Scope and Contents
Viola's calling card and wedding announcement.
Box 1, Folder 11, Box 2, Folder 11, Box 5, Folder 1
Photographs
undated
Scope and Contents
Group photograph of Viola, Bernard (Morrow), Elsa, and Mr. I.E. Levi. Portrait photographs of Viola.
Box 2, Folder 9
Bernard Morrow correspondence
1919-1921
Box 6
"Wedding Memories" scrapbook
1921 April
Scope and Contents
Viola's wedding scrapbook, containing notes, clippings, guest lists, honeymoon itinerary, and photographs.
Box 3
Photograph albums
1923-1944
Scope and Contents
Two photograph albums in which photographs of Zelinda Morrow as a baby and young girl feature prominently. Probably compiled
by Viola who also featured prominently in both. Two photograph albums of Viola and family and friends.
Box 6
The Longfellow Year-book
Scope and Contents
"A Year Book of Quotations from the writings of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with spaces for autographs and records", annotated
with notes by Viola.
Box 9
Bernard Morrow realia
Scope and Contents
Bernard's naval epaulettes; copper engraved plate for Bernard's calling card.
Box 1, Folder 17
Elsa Zelinda Foley
Biographical / Historical
Elsa Zelinda Foley (1904-1953), sister of Viola and daughter of W.I. and Sara Sepulveda Foley, was a singer who began her
career as a young child. She often sang on the radio in Los Angeles, and made many public appearances in Los Angeles. She
married Frank Carlson.
Scope and Contents
Hand written biography; photograph of Zelinda with Viola and Rupert, and unidentified individuals.
Zelinda Morrow
1920s-1945, undated
Biographical / Historical
Zelinda Morrow was the daughter of Viola Foley and Bernard Morrow, granddaughter of W.I. Foley and Sara Dolores Sepulveda,
and granddaughter of Jose Dolores De Jesus Sepulveda and Maria Antonia Lugo.
Scope and Contents
This series consists primarily of photographs, with some clippings and other ephemera. The photographs of Zelinda range in
age from infant to young woman. Included are photographs of Zelinda as a young child when she performed as a gypsy girl at
the Ebell Theater in 1929.
Box 2, Folder 10
Clippings, photographs and ephemera
1928-1940, undated
Scope and Contents
Clippings of Zelinda as a child performer; photographs of a performance; 1 postcard; high school diploma.
Foley family
1850-1953, undated
Scope and Contents
This series consists primarily of photographs, but also includes some letters and printed ephemera created and collected by
various members of the extended Foley family. Included are items created by Zoraya Filema Foley, W.I. Foley and Sara Sepulveda
Foley's eldest daughter, who died in 1911 at age 18.
Box 10
Hanora Foley's Ursuline Manual (prayer book)
1850
Scope and Contents
Inscribed "Hanora Foley/San Francisco/1856" on front flyleaf. Inside front cover is inscribed (in a different hand) "Hanora
Godfrey Foley/Buried San Francisco/Mission Dolores Cemetery/1856".
Box 10
Foley family [?] Catholic devotional prayer book
1862
Box 1, Folder 12
Reverend William Foley
1871
Scope and Contents
Printed letter to Reverend Foley from citizens of San Francisco regarding his trip to the city to collect funds to complete
the cathedral in Cloyne, Ireland; "Oration Delivered by Rev. William Foley at the California Theater, on St. Patrick's Day,
1871".
Box 1, Folder 16, Box 9
Zoraya Foley
1902, 1911, undated
Scope and Contents
Zoraya's calling card; letter to Rupert; letter to William I.; handwritten and illustrated poem. Box 9 contains the original
copper plate for Zoraya's card.
Box 1, Folder 18, Box 5, Folder 2-4
Foley family photographs
1953, undated
Scope and Contents
Elizabeth Foley (Sister Mary Perfecta); Francis Foley. Unidentified individuals, presumably Foley family.
Box 1, Folder 20
Foley family ephemera
Scope and Contents
Calling cards for Francis Foley, Mrs. W.I. (Sara Sepulveda) Foley; invitation to the Woman's Christian Temporance Union gathering;
miscellaneous printed ephemera; Irish-related items.
Box 1, Folder 21, Box 4, Box 5, Folder 7, Box 7, Box 8
Unidentified family photographs and photograph albums
Box 8
Commercial photographs and postcards
Box 9
Embroidered silk portrait of Charles Steward Parnell, M.P.
Sepulveda family
1870-1902, undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains printed ephemera, photographs, some letters and a diary, created by various members of the Sepulveda
family. Of particular note is the daily diary of Jose Dolores de Jesus Sepulveda, which contains notations on the births
of various members of the extended Sepulveda family, as well as a letter (in Spanish) from W.I. Foley to Jose Dolores de Jesus
Sepulveda.
Box 10
Maria Antonia Lugo de Sepulveda prayer book
1870
Scope and Contents
Includes a small envelope encasing a lock of hair; envelope is inscribed "Your Dear Departed Mother's Hair".
Box 1, Folder 13
Death announcements for Vicente Lugo and Maria Albertina Sepulveda
1879, undated
Box 1, Folder 14
Jose Dolores Sepulveda
1884, undated
Scope and Contents
Pocket diary with entries in Spanish detailing births; letter to William I. Foley (in Spanish); 2 photographs.
Box 1, Folder 15
Albertina Sepulveda--Rupert Sepulveda [Foley]
1902 June 28
Scope and Contents
Letter to Albertina Sepulveda from Rupert Sepulveda [Foley].
Box 9
A. [Albertina?] Sepulveda handkerchiefs