Alameda County
Biographies
ROBERT S. FARRELLY
ROBERT S. FARRELLY. Though now beyond the age of four
score years, Robert S. Farrelly, who
resides on his farm a half mile northwest of San Leandro, Alameda county, is
still an active and energetic man, taking as keen an interest in the affairs of
his neighborhood as other men many years his junior. For nearly half a century
he has been a familiar and prominent figure in Brooklyn township,
and still occupies a conspicuous and influential position among his fellow-men,
by all of whom he is held in the highest esteem.
Mr. Farrelly was born in
Parkesburg, Pa., February 24, 1824, the son of Patrick and Sarah (Wetherlow) Farrelly. His father,
who was a native of Ireland, was a weaver by trade. In young manhood he came to
the United States and located in Pennsylvania, where the remainder of his life
was spent. He died in Philadelphia at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife
was a native of Coatesville, Chester county, Pa.
Robert S. Farrelly was reared and educated
in Philadelphia. At the age of seventeen he learned the carpenter’s trade,
working in that city and then at Reading, Pa. While still little more than a
youth the marvelous stories regarding the abounding resources of the Pacific
slope attracted his attention, and finally bred in his heart an ambition to put
his fortunes to the test in the land of great promise. Two days after attaining
his twenty-fifth birthday, or February 26, 1849, having enlisted as a
member of a company intending to go to California, he joined them in chartering
a schooner to carry them to Tampico, Mexico. From that point they traveled
overland to San Blas, on the Gulf of California, whence Mr. Farrelly and four of his companions, including
J. R. West, afterward U. S. Senator from Louisiana, re-embarked for
San Francisco. The rest of the company followed by sailing
vessel. Mr. Farrelly and his companions
arrived in San Francisco July 15, 1849, and almost immediately
thereafter he began work as a builder, taking advantage of the great demand of
the day for new houses to accommodate the rapidly increasing population. He
continued this work until March, 1850, when he went to the San Jose Mission.
There he was similarly employed for another year. In 1851 he removed to San
Lorenzo, Alameda county, then a part of Contra Costa county, and purchased of
William Castro sixty-five acres of land, upon which he engaged in general
farming until 1859. Disposing of that property in the latter year, in 1860 he
purchased that upon which he has since made his home. When the purchase was
made the property was in an uncultivated condition. Appreciating the
desirability of its location and its possibilities from an agricultural
standpoint, Mr. Farrelly at once set about to
develop it, and finally brought it to rank with the most valuable ranches of
Alameda county. This property, which consists of fifty-two and a quarter acres
of exceedingly valuable land, is valued by Mr. Farrelly
at five hundred dollars per acre. One half of it is devoted to general farming,
while the remainder is under orchard. A portion of his cherry orchard was
planted in 1861, and the yield therefrom ranks among
the finest cherries produced in the United States. Though still making it his
home he now rents the land and is practically retired
from the active duties which for so long a period engrossed his attention.
Mr. Farrelly is well known
in banking circles. He was an organizer of the Bank of San Leandro, has been a
director since its organization, and has served as vice-president of that bank,
besides being identified with other banks.
For many years Mr. Farrelly
was actively and prominently identified with the work of the Republican party in Alameda county. His fellow-citizens, recognizing
his ability, his integrity and his disposition to accomplish all in his power
for the furtherance of their interests, have called upon him at various times
to serve them in public office. For two terms he filled the office of county
treasurer, and for six terms served as supervisor of his district. During the
years of his public service his official acts showed that he desired zealously
to safeguard the best interests of the whole people. He was never defeated at
the polls, as the candidate of the Republican party,
and has invariably received the support of many of the best and most
liberal-minded men of the opposing party – men whose confidence in his
high-mindedness and honor compelled their support. Mr. Farrelly
has not identified himself with any of the secret or fraternal organizations,
his principal social connection being with the Society of California Pioneers,
of which he is a life member.
The marriage of Mr. Farrelly
December 26, 1852, united him with Henrietta Wilson, who was born in Pulaski,
Mercer county, Pa. Throughout the years of his most earnest effort she has
labored unselfishly with him, and now shares with him the fruits of the
prosperity with which this honored and venerable couple have been blessed.
Mr. Farrelly’s career has
been one of great benefit to the community in which he has resided for many
years. Probably no other citizen of Alameda county is
personally known to so large a number of the older class of residents as he,
and those who have been favored by the most intimate acquaintance with him
agree that no citizen stands higher in the esteem and confidence of the whole
people. During the years of his public life he earned the reputation of being
one of the most faithful and conscientious public servants ever called to
office in the history of the county. On all occasions when it has lain within
his power to render material assistance to promote the welfare of the
community, he has not shirked his duty; but on the other hand has given freely
of his time and means toward the advancement of the best interests of all and
the elevation of the industrial, educational and moral status of Alameda
county. A man of unimpeachable integrity and of abounding public-spirit, whose
religion is a spirit of good-fellowship and an adherence to the golden rule,
his name will long be remembered as that of one of the most useful and
representative men of California. In the twilight of his life he and his wife
are surrounded by those comforts to which their long labors entitle them,
honored and respected by all who know them. Throughout their lives they have
set an example which may well serve to guide those of the younger generations
who would win not only success, but the regard of their fellow-men.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 03 July 2016.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1254-1255. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Marie Hassard.
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