Oliver Perry Dennis was born on August 25, 1858, in Delaware County, New York, to Oliver H. Dennis, a farmer, and Julia Ann Brumley. Oliver lived with his family including his maternal grandmother from 1858 to at least 1865. The family moved to Sanilac County in northeastern Michigan sometime between 1865 and 1870, and by 1875 they had moved again, this time to a farm in Chautauqua, New York.[1]
Oliver's mother died of paralysis sometime between 1880 and 1892, after which his father remarried, then died in or after 1899. Oliver had four brothers, two sisters, and at least two step-brothers.[1]
By 1880, Oliver P. was working as a carpenter.[1] He worked as an architect in Tacoma, Washington from 1888 to 1901, with the majority of his work done in partnership with John G. Proctor.[2] In 1896, he partnered with Lyman Farwell to create Dennis and Farwell in Los Angeles, California. In 1914, he once again worked on his own, and the following year he became partner at Dennis and Rasche. He went solo again in 1919.[1]
Oliver P.'s most notable works were done during his time at Dennis and Farwell. These projects include (in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted):
Oliver P. married Rosella Miller on December 22, 1887, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They had two children together and divorced some time before 1910. Both children lived with their mother after the divorce.[1]
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