Leo M. ROSECRANS

ROSECRANS, EMME, BRANNEN, KENNEDY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/17/2012 at 16:05:31

Admitted to the California bar in 1911, Leo M. Rosecrans has since been actively engaged in law practice in Los Angeles save for the period of his service in the United States Navy at the time of the World war, and since 1919 he has been a member of the firm of Rosecrans and Emme, with offices in the Black building at 357 South Hill Street. He was born April 16, 1888, in Belmond, Wright County, Iowa, where he acquired his grammar and high school education. In the fall of 1904 he came to Los Angeles, California, and entered old St. Vincent’s College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1908. He then enrolled in the law department of the University of Southern California, which institution conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. at his graduation in 1911. In 1912 he formed a partnership known as Irwin, White and Rosecrans and this association was maintained until 1915, when Joseph Smith succeeded Judge White in the firm, the firm being, Irwin, Smith & Rosecrans. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Los Angeles and here followed the work of his chosen profession until his enlistment in the United States Navy at the time of this country’s declaration of war with Germany. Promoted to ensign, he was honorably discharged from service with that rank following the signing of the armistice and the end of the war.

On resuming the pursuits of civil life in 1919, Mr. Rosecrans entered upon a professional relationship with Otto J. Emme, a comrade in the navy who had also as served ensign, the two forming the law firm of Rosecrans & Emme, which has maintained offices in the Black building in Los Angeles during the past sixteen years and has successfully handled much important litigation. He was attorney for the State Board of Medical Examiners by appointment of Gov. Stephens. Mr. Rosecrans is a member of the State Bar of California and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation among his professional colleagues and contemporaries because of his close conformity to the highest standard of legal ethics.

Mr. Rosecrans married in 1914, Marguerite Brannen, who died in 1915. His second marriage was in 1921 to Madeline Kennedy and they have a son, Leo M., Jr. Active in Catholic affairs, Mr. Rosecrans is a past grand knight and district deputy of the Knights of Columbus and for four and one-half years was president of Los Angeles Council of Young Men’s Institute and grand director of that organization; also affiliated with Lodge No. 99 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He likewise belongs to the American Legion.

­­California of the South, Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, pages 559-560, 1933.