Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Lonergan, Frank J. May 27, 1882 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 26, 2010, 6:16 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 589 - 590 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company FRANK J. LONERGAN, numbered among the leading members of the Portland bar, has attained this standing by virtue of his legal learning, his ability and resourcefulness as a practitioner and his forceful personality, being regarded as one of the strongest and most effective pleaders at the Multnomah county bar. Mr. Lonergan was born at Polo, Ogle county, Illinois, May 27, 1882, and is a son of John S. and Mary (Lynch) Lonergan. The father was for many years in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad and both parents are now deceased, the father dying in June, 1927, at the age of eighty-six years, and the mother on December 17, 1918, at the age of seventy-six years. After graduating from high school, Frank J. Lonergan entered the law school of Notre Dame University, from which he was graduated in 1904, and in September of that year came to Portland. He taught history and economics in Columbia University for four years, and then engaged in the practice of law at Oregon City, associated with Franklin T. Griffith. One year later they came to Portland and remained associated in professional work until November, 1921. During his association with Franklin T. Griffith he represented the Portland Railway Light and Power Company, now the Portland Electric Power Company, in the defense of many damage actions. He now handles both civil and criminal cases and has been notably successful as a jury lawyer, his logic, earnestness and eloquence being important factors in his success. He commands a large practice in the courts and as an office counselor is thoroughly safe and dependable. On August 19, 1912, Mr. Lonergan was united in marriage to Mrs. Jean (Davidson) James, of Portland, who was born in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Lonergan is an active supporter of the republican party and has evinced a deep interest in public affairs. He represented Multnomah county in the state legislature in 1925 and 1927 and in that body rendered effective service in the public interests. He introduced the bill to close the Willamette river to commercial fishing, and also the bill to restrict the carrying of revolvers. During both sessions he was the chairman of the committee on the revision of the laws and introduced the bill for the reform of court procedure. Since 1921 he has been a member and is now chairman of the Portland municipal boxing commission. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of which he was exalted ruler; and the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a past state deputy and a member of the supreme board of directors for six years, ending September 1, 1926. He holds life membership in the Multnomah Athletic Club and the Portland Motor Boat Club and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. He has always taken a great interest in athletic sports, and while at Notre Dame University played the position of halfback on the football team during 1901-2-3, while in 1907 he was captain of the Multnomah team. He was instrumental in the organization of the Grammar School League in Portland and also of the Interscholastic High School League of this city. His sterling character, combined with a pleasing personality and cordial and friendly manner, has gained for him a myriad of warm and loyal friends throughout this city, while all who know him hold him in high regard. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/lonergan1288gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb