California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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


JOHN B. CUNNANE.  A prominent druggist of Santa Barbara, and one of the city's most substantial 
business men, John B. Cunnane has been an active factor in promoting the advancement and 
prosperity of this section of California for upwards of a quarter of a century, during which time he has 
fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of his associates and neighbors, and has built 
up a large and lucrative trade. A son of the late Bartholomew Cunnane, he was born in White County, 
Indiana. August 17, 1863. His father, who for many years was an employee of the Wabash Railroad 
Company, came to California in 1889, and subsequently lived retired until his death, in 1900. He was a 
native of Ireland, belonging to a family of note, while his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret 
Mullaney, was likewise born and bred in the Emerald Isle. She survived him many years, passing away 
in 1914.
 
Removing with his parents to Missouri when young, John B. Cunnane received his elementary 
education in the public schools of Moberly, Randolph County. Coming to California in 1884, he studied 
pharmacy in San Francisco, and four years later established himself in the drug business at Santa Ynez, 
Santa Barbara County, where he continued the business for twenty years. In 1905 Mr. Cunnane 
purchased the Guitterez Drug Store, located at 635 State Street, Santa Barbara, and immediately 
placed it in charge of his partner, C. E. Phoenix, who managed it until 1908, when Mr. Cunnane himself 
moved to the city and assumed the management of his store, which is the oldest drug establishment 
in the city, having been established in 1855, and run by the Guitterez family until it came into the 
possession of its present owner, who is still running it under its original name. Mr. Cunnane retained 
his business in Santa Ynez until 1914, when he sold at an advantage, although he still owns the store 
building in that place, and has other property interests in that vicinity.
 
Mr. Cunnane married, at Santa Ynez, December 9, 1891, Miss Alice N. Torrence, who was born in 
Illinois, a daughter of J. W. and Nancy Torrence, who came to the golden state in pioneer days. Mr. 
Torrence died in 1912, but Mrs. Torrence is still living in Santa Ynez. She comes from patriotic ancestry, 
being a direct descendant of Col. William Washington, a cousin of Gen. George Washington. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cunnane have three children, namely: Philip J., who was graduated from the medical department 
of the University of Southern California with the class of 1914, and is now a practicing physician in Santa 
Barbara; Thomas B., who is studying medicine in the same university, being a member of the class of 
1917; and Margaret N., who was graduated from the Santa Barbara High School in 1916.
 
A democrat in politics, Mr. Cunnane was for many years active in public affairs, representing his party 
at nearly all of the county conventions, and serving as a member of the Democratic County Central 
Committee for twenty years. In 1915 Mr. Cunnane was one of the committee of fifteen freeholders 
that framed the charter for the City of Santa Barbara. While living at Santa Ynez he served as 
postmaster during both of Cleveland's terms as president. He belongs to various fraternal and social 
organizations, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Modern Woodmen 
of America; the Knights of Columbus; the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commence; and the Commercial 
Club. He is also a stockholder in the Central Bank of Santa Barbara. - Religiously he is a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church.