From: California Memories by Jackson Graves (published 1930)

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)
Wednesday, 2 May 1877 • Page 3



Notes

"DEAD.

Hon. John B. Felton Breathed His Last at 1 O'clock this Afternoon.

Hon. John B. Felton, who was stricken with paralysis of the right side at 6 o'clock on Friday evening, the 20th ultimo, breathed his last, at his residence, corner of Eighth and Adeline streets, at 1 o'clock this afternoon, having been unconscious since an early hour yesterday morning. The deceased, John Brooks Felton, was born in Sangus, Massachusetts, in June, 1828, and was consequently in the forty-ninth year of his age. He attended the public schools in his native village until he was nineteen years of age, when he entered Harvard College as a student. His brother, C. C. Felton, who was Professor of Greek in the same institution at the time, was noted for his literary attainments, and afterward became President of the College. John B. Felton graduated with honor in 1851, entered the Law School at Harvard and graduated in 1853, with the degree of LLD. After graduating from the law school he visited France, and devoted two or three years to the study of French law, which he mastered. Immediately after returning from France.

HE CAME TO CALIFORNIA,

Locating in San Francisco and subsequently in Oakland. As an attorney he was engaged in some of the heaviest land suits in the State, and probably received as large fees as were ever paid any lawyer in the United States. From the time he came to California he was the attorney for Michael Reese and other large capitalists. While in Europe he acquired an intimate knowledge of French law, and a general knowledge of Spanish law, and was a fine scholar in both languages, which gave him a large practice among the people of those nationalities.

HIS LEGAL ATTAINMENTS

Were of the highest character, and aside from this he was a m and of great erudition and learning. He was thoroughly grounded in his profession before he commenced the practice of law. As a Supreme Court practitioner, he had no superior, and before this tribunal he had always a very large practice, and was generally successful in his cases.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Had no stronger friend than Mr. Felton, and it was owing to his zeal, combined with that of the late Edward Tompkins, that this institution of learning, and the Board of Regents, of which he was a member, were placed upon their present firm foundation. He was President of the Associated Alumni of the Pacific coast, and took a great deal of interest in that organization. Mr. Felton was a resident of Oakland, and always evinced a great deal of pride and interest in its local government and prosperity. In politics he was Republican after the advent of the rebellion. He was one of the Electors at the first election of Grant in 1868, and was also chosen for the same position on the Republican ticket at the last Presidential election, and was always looked upon as a prominent member of the party. He served one term as

MAYOR OF OAKLAND,

And was twice a candidate for United States Senator before the caucus of his party, only receiving each time but a few votes. He was possessed of generosity of the soul, and so trusting was he with his friends that he was led into many unfortunate speculations which cost him large sums of money. In a very quiet and unostentatious manner Mr. Felton gave a great deal to charitable objects.

HE MARRIED,

In the year 1862, Miss Kate Baldwin, daughter of the late J. G. Baldwin, Justice of the Supreme Court of California, the fruits of the union being two children, girls, 12 and 5 years of age, respectively. Mr. Felton was a very hearty liver and his table was always loaded with the choicest viands which could be procured, and this fact undoubtedly was the cause of the slight stroke of paralysis which attacked him two years ago and from which he had almost entirely recovered when stricken down this last time."