Guide to the Lewis Riley Papers MS 92

Finding aid prepared by Lauren Rasmussen
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.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
March 22, 2012


Title: Lewis Riley Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 92
Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1899-1922
Abstract: The collection contains business papers of the lawyer Lewis Riley while practicing in Colorado and San Diego, California.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
creator: Riley, Lewis S.

Arrangement

Items in the collection are arranged by subject.

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.

Preferred Citation

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

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials.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

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 Notes

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Braiden, John C.
Braly, Robert L.
Carlisle, Amelia
Elam, Cora
Finkbohner, W. J.
Finley, J. E.
First National Bank of San Diego.
Griffith, C. O.
Lobato, Jesus M.
Lobato, Manuelita
Macomber, Carrie R.
Richardson, Mary E.
Riley & Heskett.
Riley, Joyce
Riley, Lewis S.
Riley, Louise J.
Antonito (Colo.)
Conejos County (Colo.)
Estate planning
Estates (Law)
Lawyers
Lemon Grove (Calif.)
Mortgages
Practice of law
Real property
San Diego (Calif.)
Stockton (Calif.)
Ventura (Calif.)

Box-folder 1:1

Business correspondence: real estate, 1917 March 11–1922 July 8 and undated

Includes:

Correspondence related to mortgages, property sales, purchases, and sales inquiries.
Box-folder 1:2

Business correspondence: divorce cases, 1921 August 27–1922 July 22

Box-folder 1:3

Business correspondence: court cases, 1921 May 9–1922 March 9

Box-folder 1:4

Business correspondence: insurance policies, 1920 April 6–1922 May 17

Box-folder 1:5

Business correspondence: claims and collections, 1920 July 12–1922 July 22

Box-folder 1:6

Business correspondence: miscellanea, 1918 October 10–1922 July 14

Includes:

Correspondence from Riley’s niece, Cora, and her husband requesting legal advice.
Correspondence with Robert Braly, Riley’s client who was serving time in San Quentin Prison.
Box-folder 1:7

Lobato Estate (some in Spanish), 1899 September 22-December 27

Box-folder 1:8

Macomber Estate, 1917 December 18–1921 December 29

Box-folder 1:9

Braiden Estate, 1922 April 5-13

Box-folder 1:10

Richardson Estate, 1920 April 28–1921 August 5

Box-folder 1:11

Misner Estate, 1920 November 3–1921 April 14

Box-folder 1:12

Carlisle Estate, 1921 April 29–May 4

Box-folder 1:13

Miscellaneous estates, 1921 November 12–1922 April 5

Box-folder 1:14

Finances, 1918 October 30–1922 February 1

Box-folder 1:15

Joyce Riley correspondence, 1920 January 26–1921 October 14

Box-folder 1:16

Miscellanea, 1899 November 8–1920 August 21

Includes:

Post Office delivery receipts
Recommendation letter
Order of the Elks bulletin
Thank you note to Dr. Gillaspia