John Dustin Bicknell Papers, 1872-1914, bulk 1887-1897

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Summary

Creators:
Bicknell, John Dustin, 1838-1911.
Abstract:
This collection consists primarily of correspondence related to the professional activities of John Dustin Bicknell (1838-1911), who was a partner in several Los Angeles, California, law firms and an attorney for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. The collection includes letters from individuals who wished to buy or sell property or had a claim against someone concerning their land. In addition, the collection also contains approximately 650 letters (1883-1902) from various individuals who worked in the Frazier Mine near Gorman, California, which Bicknell jointly owned.
Extent:
9,802 pieces. 20 boxes. 51 bound volumes. 6 rolls. 2 photographs.
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists primarily of correspondence related to the professional activities of John Dustin Bicknell (1838-1911) who was a partner in several Los Angeles law firms. Bicknell specialized in land patents, and many letters are from individuals who wished to buy or sell property or had a claim against someone concerning their land. As an attorney for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Bicknell received correspondence from Collis and Henry Huntington asking for his advice on right-of-ways and other matters related to the railroads and interurban lines.

In addition to the Huntingtons, Bicknell received business letters from several prominent individuals including: Reginaldo F. (Reginaldo Francisco) Del Valle (1854-1938), J. A. (Jackson Alpheus) Graves (1852-1933), Isaias W. Hellman (1842-1920), William F. (William Franklin) Herrin (1854-1921), George Wharton James (1858-1923), Thaddeus Sobieski Coulincourt Lowe (1832-1912), Henry Harrison Markham (1840-1923), William Mulholland (1855-1935), Henry William O’Melveny (1859-1941), Joseph D. (Joseph Deighn) Redding (1859-1932), Frederick Hastings Rindge (1857-1905), William Starke Rosecrans (1819-1898), Charles H. (Charles Hansen) Toll (1850-1901), Moses Hazeltine Sherman (1853-1932), James Slauson (b. 1865), Jonathan Sayre Slauson (1829-1905), Harriet Williams Russell Strong (1844-1926) and Shirley C. Ward (b. 1861). Bicknell is the author of 72 letters in the collection.

A few letters are from various relatives and friends of Bicknell. Perhaps the most prominent of these individuals is Warren Newton Dusenberry (1836-1915), from whom he received seven letters. Dusenberry established Timpanogos University in Provo, Utah, which he presided over until 1875 when it became Brigham Young University and he became superintendent.

The collection also contains approximately 650 letters from 1883-1902 from various individuals who worked or supervised the Frazier Mine near Gorman, California, which Bicknell jointly owned. These detailed letters describe not only the activities of the mine but also the living conditions and the problems of receiving mail, supplies and equipment. At first the mine appeared to be producing ore, with more and more money spent on new processes. By the end of the correspondence, however, the miners urged Bicknell to sell the mine.

Biographical / historical:

John Dustin Bicknell was born on June 25, 1838 in Vermont. He began studying law in the early 1860s and was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin in 1865. After establishing a law firm in Greenfield, Missouri, he relocated to Los Angeles, California in early 1872. He formed a new firm with John R. McConnell and Joseph M. Rothschild, which existed until 1876 when he formed a partnership with Stephen Mallory White (1853-1901). This association lasted ten years until White left to take an active part in California politics. George J. Denis became Bicknell’s new partner until 1890 when Bicknell joined forces with Walter J. Trask (1863-1911). Seven years later James A. Gibson (1852-1922) joined the firm, which became known as Bicknell, Gibson & Trask. In 1903, Bicknell and his partners merged with the Los Angeles law firm of Dunn & Crutcher which eventually became known as Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher after Bicknell’s retirement and Trask’s death in 1911.

For many years Bicknell served as counsel for the Southern Pacific Railroad working for both Collis Potter Huntington (1821-1900) and his nephew, Henry Edwards Huntington (1850- 1927). Bicknell specialized in land patent law, was one of the owners of a gold mine near Gorman, California, had several real estate holdings, and owned two citrus orchards. He died on July 7, 1911.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Roy F. Bagg and Barbara Bagg Heath, April 1981.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series:

  • 1. Correspondence (19 boxes arranged chronologically)
  • 2. Oversize correspondence (1 box)
  • 3. 51 bound volumes
  • 4. 6 rolls
  • 5. 2 photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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