David Edward Peckinpah

Find a Grave

Birth: Jul. 18, 1895 North Fork Madera County California, USA

Death: Oct. 30, 1960 Sanger Fresno County California, USA

David E. Peckinpah an attorney of the City of Fresno, was born seven miles east of North Fork on what is known as Peckinpah Mountain. His parents were Charles Mortimer Peckinpah and Isabelle J. Toner Peckinpah. C. M. was one of the pioneers of California, having crossed the plains in 1852 in a covered wagon, settling first at Placerville, and later in Sonoma county. C. M. Peckinpah was a pioneer lumber man of California.

In 1885 he moved from the Russian river to the mountain above North Fork, then in Fresno county, where he established one of the early saw mills and created the Peckinpah Lumber company. In 1890 he married Isabelle J. Toner, of San Francisco. Three children were born of that marriage, seventy miles from the nearest doctor, on the mountain that bears his name.

David E. Peckinpah attended the public schools near North Fork, until his family built a residence in Fresno. Thereafter he attended the grammar school and high school in Fresno.

In 1915 he married Fern Church, daughter of Congressman Denver S. Church of Fresno. He later spent three years in Washington, D. C., where he attended the National University Law school, and where he received his L. L. B. degree. The time after he left high school and before entering the university, he spent in the cattle business in the mountains of Madera county.

He was admitted to the bar of California in 1920, and began the practice of law in association with Denver. S. Church and Earle J. Church of Fresno, on January 1, 1922, under the firm name of Church, Church & Peckinpah. About a year later Denver S. Church was elected to the superior bench and Earle J. Church was elected city justice.

Mr. Peckinpah formed a partnership with Rae B. Carter, now chief deputy district attorney. This partnership continued until January 1, 1927, when Mr. Carter joined the district attorney's staff. Since Judge Church's retirement from the superior bench in 1930, the association in the practice of law between Judge Church and Mr. Peckinpah was renewed and the association continued. Mr. Peckinpah never held any political office, but has from the beginning of his career as an attorney, been actively interested in civic affairs and good government. He is an active member of the highway committee of the San Joaquin Valley branch of the State Chamber of Commerce, and the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce. He has shown an interest in Indian Welfare work with the Indians of his native county, and of Fresno county, and donates his professional services as a lawyer to assist them in their legal problems whenever the same is necessary.

Mr. and Mrs. David E. Peckinpah have two sons, Denver Charles (Denny)Peckinpah, and David Samuel (Sam) Peckinpah who was to become one of the film industries most notorious directors, and one daughter Fern Natalie. His greatest interest, outside of the law, is in going to the Sierra Nevada mountains as often as possible. His two hobbies are a summer home and ranch located at Bass Lake, Madera county, and the early pioneers of California.

He is a past president of Parlor No. 25, of the Native Sons of the GoldenWest ; a member of the Woodmen of the World; and of B. P. 0. E. Lodge, No. 439, Fresno, Charter member of E Clampus Vitus, Jim Savage Chapter 1852 and the Exchange club of Fresno.

Family links:

Parents:

• Charles Mortimer Peckinpah (1848 - 1925)
• Isabelle J Toner Peckinpah (1866 - 1948)

Spouse:

*Fern Louise Church Peckinpah (1893 - 1983)*

Children:

*Denver Charles Peckinpah (1916 - 1996)*

• Sam Peckinpah (1925 - 1984)*
• Calculated relationship

Note: Father of noted film director Sam Peckinpah

Burial: Belmont Memorial Park Fresno Fresno County California, USA

Created by: Lester Letson Record added: Feb 22, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 34079910