Re: SINNOTT-LUCE Families
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In reply to:
Re: SINNOTT-LUCE Families
anthony O'Connor 6/27/04
Hi Folk,
I know it's years later, and no one may see this, but ...
I've just been doing some research on Moses Augustine Luce for my website (http://aotw.org) and think y'all may be confused about his place and date of death, and why his children were in San Diego.
He died 23 April 1933 in San Diego, where he had been prominent as a city founder, lawyer, railroad exec, and county judge.
Born in Illinois, he left Hillsdale College (Michigan) in June 1861 to join the 4th Michigan InfantryRegiment early in the American Civil War.He enlisted as Private, and was promoted to Sergeant early in 1863.He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action in May 1864 near Spottsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, when he pulled a wounded comrade to safety under fire.He honorably mustered out of the service at Detroit, with the unit, in June 1864.
He was defeated for Illinois state senator in McDonough County (2755 to 2736 votes!) in November 1872 - I would guess he practiced law there after the War.He won a case which netted him some property in California, and he moved there in 1873.
According to the still-going San Diego law firm he founded,Luce Forward (formerly Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP):
"In 1873, Moses A. Luce started his law practice and joined the bankers, builders and visionaries who shaped San Diego, California's first city. He drafted the first City Charter. The organizational meeting for the San Diego Public Library was held in his office. Moses rode the economic boom of the 1870s, first as an attorney and then as Vice-President for the Santa Fe Railroad, to become Postmaster and County Judge ... He practiced law as one of the county's leading citizens for nearly 50 years until 1922, when he retired at 80. He died at 91".
He's buried at Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego.
Hope this helps someone!