John Dustin Bicknell
Encyclopedia
John D. Bicknell was an American
real estate
attorney and investor. From 1872 to 1907 he participated in the Los Angeles
real estate boom, and founded the law firm that is presently known as Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
.
, elder son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Thompson) Bicknell, and a direct
descendant of Hannah Dustin.
Bicknell moved to Wisconsin
where he attended college. In 1860 Bicknell went to Missouri
, where he taught school for two years. Troubled by his asthma he decided to move to California
. In 1862 he joined a group of emigrants and was elected captain of the expedition directing them to Knights Landing, California
. Bicknell stayed in California until 1863, then resolved to return to Wisconsin to study law. Bicknell was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin
in 1865; and engaged in practice in Greenfield, Missouri
.
Bicknell’s first marriage was to Maria Hatch, in Vermont, in 1868. However, the bride died two months later, dying in Wisconsin where they resided. Bicknell's second marriage, to the widow Nancy (Christian) Dobbins occurred in 1871.
. He participated in the real estate boom both as an attorney and through his own investments. In 1887 the Southern Pacific Transportation Company
chose Bicknell as its counsel because of his real estate reputation. Bicknell later became a lawyer for Huntington
and the Los Angeles Railway
. Bicknell was the attorney for General William Rosencrans' action to establish title to a large tract south of Los Angeles. In 1890 Bicknell was president of the Los Angeles County bar association.
From 1872 to 1875 he practiced in Los Angeles as Bicknell and Rothchild; from 1875 to 1886 he maintained an office alone; from 1886 to 1890 as Bicknell & White. From 1890 as Bicknell & Trask - this was later changed to Bicknell, Trask & Gibson, while a succeeding change added the names of Crutcher and Dunn. Bicknell retired in 1907.
; Azusa, California
, and the development of oil in the Santa Maria Valley. Bicknell Park in Montebello, California
, Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica, California
, and the ghost town of Bicknell on the Orcutt Oil Field
, south of Santa Maria, are named for him.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
attorney and investor. From 1872 to 1907 he participated in the Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
real estate boom, and founded the law firm that is presently known as Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a global law firm, founded in Los Angeles in 1890. The firm is one of the most prestigious and selective in the nation, and ranks among the most successful firms globally. Gibson Dunn has nearly 1,000 attorneys and over 2,000 staff located in 17 offices around the world,...
.
Early life and career
Bicknell was born in Jericho, VermontJericho (town), Vermont
Jericho is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,015 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles , of which 35.4 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
, elder son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Thompson) Bicknell, and a direct
descendant of Hannah Dustin.
Bicknell moved to Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
where he attended college. In 1860 Bicknell went to Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, where he taught school for two years. Troubled by his asthma he decided to move to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1862 he joined a group of emigrants and was elected captain of the expedition directing them to Knights Landing, California
Knights Landing, California
Knights Landing is a census-designated place in Yolo County, California, USA founded by William Knight. It is located on the Sacramento River in the northeastern portion of the county. Knights Landing's ZIP Code is 95645 and its area code 530. It lies at an elevation of 36 feet...
. Bicknell stayed in California until 1863, then resolved to return to Wisconsin to study law. Bicknell was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
in 1865; and engaged in practice in Greenfield, Missouri
Greenfield, Missouri
Greenfield is a city in Dade County, Missouri. The population was 1,358 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dade County.-History:The Greenfield square is lined with buildings built in the 1880s out of bricks made in the Greenfield Brickyard...
.
Bicknell’s first marriage was to Maria Hatch, in Vermont, in 1868. However, the bride died two months later, dying in Wisconsin where they resided. Bicknell's second marriage, to the widow Nancy (Christian) Dobbins occurred in 1871.
Los Angeles legal practice
In 1872 Bicknell moved to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He participated in the real estate boom both as an attorney and through his own investments. In 1887 the Southern Pacific Transportation Company
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
chose Bicknell as its counsel because of his real estate reputation. Bicknell later became a lawyer for Huntington
Henry E. Huntington
Henry Edwards Huntington was a railroad magnate and collector of art and rare books. Born in Oneonta, New York, Huntington settled in Los Angeles, where he owned the Pacific Electric Railway as well as substantial real estate interests...
and the Los Angeles Railway
Los Angeles Railway
The Los Angeles Railway was a system of streetcars that operated in central Los Angeles, California and the immediate surrounding neighborhoods between from 1901 and 1963. Except for two short funicular railways it operated on tracks...
. Bicknell was the attorney for General William Rosencrans' action to establish title to a large tract south of Los Angeles. In 1890 Bicknell was president of the Los Angeles County bar association.
From 1872 to 1875 he practiced in Los Angeles as Bicknell and Rothchild; from 1875 to 1886 he maintained an office alone; from 1886 to 1890 as Bicknell & White. From 1890 as Bicknell & Trask - this was later changed to Bicknell, Trask & Gibson, while a succeeding change added the names of Crutcher and Dunn. Bicknell retired in 1907.
Real estate investor
Bicknell was associated with the founding of Monrovia, CaliforniaMonrovia, California
Monrovia is a city located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 36,590 at the 2010 census, down from 36,929 at the 2000 census...
; Azusa, California
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
, and the development of oil in the Santa Maria Valley. Bicknell Park in Montebello, California
Montebello, California
Montebello is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, in the southwestern part of the San Gabriel Valley. It is located on of land just east of downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities, and the city is a member of the Gateway Cities Council of...
, Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
, and the ghost town of Bicknell on the Orcutt Oil Field
Orcutt Oil Field
The Orcutt Oil Field is a large oil field in the Solomon Hills south of Orcutt, in Santa Barbara County, California. Discovered in 1901 by William Warren Orcutt, it was the first giant field to be found in Santa Barbara County, and its development engendered the boom town of Orcutt, now the major...
, south of Santa Maria, are named for him.