Riley (Lewis) Papers, 1899-1922

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Summary

Title:
Lewis Riley Papers
Dates:
1899-1922
Creators:
Riley, Lewis S.
Abstract:
The collection contains business papers of the lawyer Lewis Riley while practicing in Colorado and San Diego, California.
Extent:
0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Lewis Riley Papers, MS 92, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection pertains to Riley’s business endeavors between 1899 and 1922, though the bulk of the collection covers 1918 to 1922. The business correspondence covers topics related to Riley’s cases, including general real estate matters, divorce cases, client claims, and estate administration. Some miscellaneous business correspondence is also present, in which Riley consults with his clients on more minor topics. Financial paperwork includes correspondence from First National Bank, accounting notes, and records of client payment. Of particular interest is a set of more personal letters between Riley and Joyce’s employer, W.J. Finkbohner of Republic Motor Sales Co. The letters discuss both Joyce’s acrimonious divorce and financial trouble, and a matter of $150 that Joyce owed to Finkbohner.

Biographical / historical:

Lewis S. Riley practiced law in Antonito, Colorado and San Diego, California in the late 1800s and early 1900s, respectively. He married Louise J. (maiden name unknown) and had a son, Joyce. In the late 1800s, Riley was the County Attorney in Antonito, Colorado, a small town in Conejos County. The first listing for Lewis Riley in the San Diego City Directory appears in 1905. Riley’s occupation is listed as an attorney, working in firms including Holcomb, Shaw & Riley; Holcomb, Riley, & Hubbell; Riley & Hubbell; and Riley & Heskett. His practice of law included estates, divorce, and property damage. In 1922, the Laurel Building Company was formed by George Gans and his wife, Amalia, along with their attorney, Riley. The Company is noted for constructing homes in North Park during the 1920s. It appears that Riley suffered from poor health in the early 1920s, as mentioned in correspondence to his clients and his niece, Cora Elam, but it is not known when he died. The last listing of Lewis S. Riley occurs in the 1923 San Diego City Directory.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on March 22, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

Items in the collection are arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Lauren Rasmussen
Sponsor:
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Date Prepared:
March 22, 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-08-01T10:18-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Lewis Riley Papers, MS 92, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website