John P. Moran (June 17, 1857 – December 6, 1916) was for three years a member of the Los Angeles, California Common Council, beginning in 1879. He was council president for two years.

John P. Moran
Moran in 1890
Member of the Los Angeles Common Council from the 5th ward
In office
December 5, 1879 – December 8, 1883
President of the Los Angeles Common Council
In office
December 10, 1881 – December 8, 1883
Preceded byEdward Falles Spence
Succeeded byWalter Scott Moore
Personal details
Born(1857-06-17)June 17, 1857
DiedDecember 6, 1916(1916-12-06) (aged 59)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic

Family

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Mrs. Mary Moran, who lived at East Ninth Street and Maple Avenue, was the head of the family. She died on December 11, 1894, and was survived by her son, John P., and two daughters, Mrs. Mary A. Dennison and Mrs. Catherine O'Connell.[1]

Community activities

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In the 1880s, Moran was a member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee.[2] He was also the president of the Young Men's Institute in Los Angeles,[3] and was grand first vice president of the California unit of the organization.[4]

In 1925, Moran was one of the organizers of a social and historical group called the Sons of Los Angeles, restricted in membership to those born in Los Angeles County before 1881.[5]

Common Council

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Moran was elected to the Common Council—the legislative arm of the city—in December 1879 and served until December 1882. He was president of the council for two years.

Administrator

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In the 1890s, Moran was the center of a legal dispute over the validity of the will of one Bridget Wilson, who had amassed a considerable fortune—some $300,000—since she immigrated to the United States from Ireland. While the matter was tied up in litigation, Moran was appointed administrator of her estate, but when it came time to settle, it was alleged that he was short by some $9,300.[6] The suit was settled in compromise for $3,066.[7]

References

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Access to the Los Angeles Times links may require the use of a library card.

Further reading

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  • Harris Newmark, Sixty Years in Southern California, page 363.