Fresno County, California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


HAROLD E. DWELLE.� None other of the leading- professions, it is 
safe to say, was so early recognized as of necessity and almost unlimited 
possibility of good, or has been so often honored by the State of California 
as that of the law. Prominent among the members of the California bar is 
the Hon. Harold E. Dwelle, assistant district attorney of Fresno County, 
who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., while it was still the City of Churches. 
on December 17, 1882. His father was James C. Dwelle, and he married 
Miss Mary A. White, a lady widely esteemed in her youth as both a beauti- 
ful and an accomplished woman. In 1887 the family came west to the city 
of Fresno, and finding Fresno an attractive place. Mr. Dwelle located there, 
and for a few months worked as a wood engraver. Then he bought a place 
laid out as an orchard and vineyard on Cherry Avenue, which he operated 
for the period of one year ; then moved to a twenty-acre ranch on Elm Ave- 
nue, near Easton. In 1914, however, he was injured and after three years of 
painful suffering as an invalid, he passed to his eternal reward on January 
23. 1917. A hard worker according to the most progressive methods, straight- 
forward in all his dealings so that he scorned to take advantage of anyone, 
kindly and helpful in his relations to others, he was mourned by the entire 
community. His good wife is still living. 

Educated at the public school at Easton, Harold pushed on through the 
Washington union high school at Easton, and still determined to reach a 
greater and more difficult goal, he entered the University of California and, 
in 1907, was graduated with honors and the coveted B. L. degree. Pushing 
out into the world, he became a clerk in Department No. 2, of the Superior 
Court, and while holding that important position he also became law librarian 
and so systematized it as to greatly increase its value to the bench and bar 
of Fresno County. In 1911 he matriculated at the University of California 
Law School and graduated, with the class of 1912, with the degree of LL.B. 
Throughout his courses in the lecture-rooms, he was favored by a close per- 
sonal acquaintance with a number of his instructors, who were men of large 
calibre, with a profound knowledge of law, so that his superior training is 
at all times apparent in his own life and work. An active Democrat, but 
something much more � a loyal, public-spirited citizen � Attorney Dwelle was 
appointed, in February, 1913, deputy district attorney of Fresno County, he 
having already opened an office and begun to evidence the kind of stuff that 
is in him. He entered at once on the discharge of his complex and responsible 
duties, and ever since he has been making good. Neither pains nor expense 
is spared by him to come up to the full measure of his calling; and when 
there is work that should be done, the clock plays but a small role in his 
routine. On January 1, 1918, he resigned as deputy district attorney in order 
to give his entire time to his private practice, and since January 1, 1918, his 
offices have been 409 Cory Building, and his clientage is constantly on the 
increase. 

On June 27, 1912, in the town of Fowler, Mr. Dwelle was married to 
Miss Edith M. Blayney; and then and there he took to himself a mate who 
has indeed proven the greatest of possible helps. Five children have blessed 
this marriage � Harold E., Jr., Dorsey K. and Vernon R., Mary A. and Allan 
K.. all of whom contribute life and warmth to the hospitable Dwelle home. 
The family worship as Protestants, and Mr. Dwelle is a Woodman of the 
World. He is also a charter member of the University Club.