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Register of the Oullahan Family Papers,
1885-1975
Mss194
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Table of contents
Title: Oullahan Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1885-1975
Collection number: Mss194
Creator:
Extent: 8.5 linear ft.
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
Stockton, CA 95211
Shelf location: For current information on the location of
these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Oullahan Family Papers, Mss194, Holt-Atherton
Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
Oullahan, Denis Joseph
Oullahan, Alexander Carruthers (1871-1941)
Oullahan, Katherine River (1873-1955)
Oullahan, Leanore J. (1898-1978)
Phelan, James D. (1861-1930)
Martin, Irving
McAdoo, William Gibbs (1863-1941)
Flood control -California -Stockton
Politicians -California -Stockton
Democratic Party (California)
Harbors -California -Stockton -History
Stockton (Calif.) -Politics and government
Stockton (Calif.) -Social conditions
San Francisco (Calif.) -Politics and government
Women authors, American -California -Stockton
Alexander C. Oullahan (1871-1941), merchant, politician and Mayor of
Stockton (1916-1920), was an important figure in the California Democratic
Party from 1915 until his death. Son of Denis Joseph Oullahan, a pioneer Sonora
teamster (1850-67), San Francisco real estate salesman (1868-73), liquor
merchant and Stockton Democrat (1873-1886), Alexander Oullahan began his career
as secretary to J.D. Peters, a leading Stockton grain merchant. In 1897 he
married Katherine V. River (1873-1955) of San Francisco. The Oullahans had a
daughter, Leanore (1898-1978) who later wrote for the Stockton Record
(1930s-40s). Oullahan was elected to the Stockton City Council during the
Progressive era as a reform candidate. As Mayor, and later as Secretary-Manager
of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce (1921-1925), Oullahan championed the
creation of the Stockton Deep Water Channel. He was also instrumental in
facilitating the construction of the Stockton Civic Auditorium and in promoting
Stockton as the "gateway" to Yosemite National Park. He arranged for Luther
Burbank to visit Stockton in conjunction with a major celebration of San
Joaquin County's importance as a potato producing region (1924). Oullahan led a
flood control movement (1925-1926) that culminated in the passage of a bond
issue that made possible the construction of Hogan Dam. He also fostered
community support for the College of the Pacific's move from San Jose to
Stockton (1924).
The Oullahan Papers consist primarily of the correspondence, speeches
and writings of Alexander C. Oullahan (1890-1930). Among his correspondents
were: Grover Cleveland; James P. Phelan; William Gibbs McAdoo; Luther Burbank;
and, Franklin D. Roosevelt. There are also letters between Oullahan and his
fiancée describing political and social matters in San Francisco and Stockton
during the 1890s. The Papers further include: transcripts of Stockton civil
suits involving Denis J. Oullahan (1885); correspondence, financial records,
writings and notes of free-lance journalist, Leanore J. Oullahan (1930-1970);
and, a few family photographs.