Early Monrovia Structures Research

Richard Henry

Birthdate:

Richard Henry Mullally was the son of John, a brickmaker, and his wife Nancy Jane (Vincent).  The family lived in Hamilton County, Ohio.  On 7 January 1869, Richard married Julia Speer in Hamilton, but they moved after their marriage to Covington, Kentucky, where Richard ran a grocery store.

Their first three children were born in Covington: Gertrude Edna (1869-1950, Martha Speer (1873-1950), and Clara (1876-1969).  The family was living in Los Angeles by 1879 when their only son, Kenton was born.

Richard Mullaly had several different occupations.  In 1879 he was a clerk and then an express messenger. 

California Voter Registration records him living in Duarte in 1884.  One year later, Richard and Julia's last child, Maud was born.

The 1888 tax records show Richard's wife owned Lots 1-3 in Block CC in Addition #1 to the Town of Monrovia which is now 140-146 E. Maple Avenue.  These lots were valued at $250 each, and the house, which was built on Lot 2, was valued at $900, quite a nice house for 1888.  They may have found the area too expensive because in early 1889, the real estate boom of Southern California burst.  Richard Mullally's occupation is not given records around this time.  If the family had used the money from the Duarte property to buy the Monrovia property, they may not have been able to hold onto it.  The December 4, 1890, edition of the Monrovia Messenger reports the sale of the Mullally house to Dr. John Stewart who plans on moving the house elsewhere in Monrovia.

The 1892 Los Angeles City Directory lists Richard Mullally working for the railroad.  Richard's parents and uncles were living in Los Angeles by then, so there was a large family for support.  In 1905, Mullally is working for the Parks Commission.  His girls are all married, and his son Kenton is in the cigar business.  Richard Henry Mullally died on 19 February 1913.  Julia Mullally died 26 February 1936.