The following is the second in a series of historical reviews composed by Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster entitled the “Saturday History Series” where DA Eyster will review the county’s judicial history:
Before seeking a seat on the bench of the Mendocino County Superior Court, James Milton Mannon served as the 10th Mendocino County District Attorney.
In the days when the term of office was for two years Mannon served one term from 1887 -1888.
From “The History of the Bench and Bar of California,” edited by Oscar Tully Shuck:
“James M. Mannon, Judge of the Superior Court of Mendocino County, was born in Brown County, Ohio, and received his education in the common schools of that state. He was graduated from the Southwest Normal School at Lebanon, and after a few years passed in teaching school, he immigrated to California.
“He arrived in San Luis Obispo county in 1873, and engaged in stock raising and various other pursuits, until failing health compelled him to withdraw from active physical labor. He then began the study of law, and in 1881, was admitted to the bar. Shortly thereafter he moved to Ukiah.
“In 1875 he was married to Miss Mattie Clark of Windsor, Sonoma county, and two living sons are the issue of the marriage: Charles M. and J. Milton.
“The former was graduated with honor from Stanford University in 1898, and from Hastings College of Law in 1900. He is now in active practice in San Francisco.
J. Milton Mannon, the younger son, was graduated from the University of California in the class of ’99 and is now a middle-year student in the Hastings College of Law.
“Judge Mannon rose rapidly, not alone in his profession, but in the confidence of the people, and the years 1887-88 saw him occupying the position of district attorney, a place he filled with distinguished ability. When his term ended, he resumed the practice of the law, and soon attained the position of a leader at the bar.
“Among his clients were the large corporations of the State and the prominent businessmen of the county.
“In 1896 he was the Republican candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, and in a county that was strongly Democratic he was elected by a substantial majority.
“His decisions are regarded as having always been just and fair, and the attorneys of all parties have never yet expressed dissatisfaction at his rulings. The Judge possesses, in an eminent degree, the judicial mind. He is tolerant and patient under the most trying circumstances and has the entire confidence of the people of Mendocino County.
“His ambition in life has been the education of his sons, who are very bright young men. They have been given every advantage and are now entering upon careers which promise to be distinguished.”
As later summarized in a newspaper article published in the Ukiah Daily Journal on January 5, 1976:
“James Milton Mannon came to California from Ohio in 1873 and moved to Ukiah in 1881. In 1903 Mannon, by then a judge of the Superior Court of Mendocino County, and A. F. Redemeyer, a private banker and loan broker, met with friends and business associates to form the Savings Bank of Mendocino County.
“Judge Mannon retired from the Superior Court and he and his son, Charles M. Mannon, went into partnership in the firm of Mannon and Mannon in Ukiah. Judge Mannon was elected president of the Savings Bank in 1914 and served until his death in 1926.” Mannon and his wife, Mattie A. (Clark) Mannon [1848-1927], were both laid to rest in the cemetery in Ukiah.
