Los Angeles County

Biographies

 

 

MATTHEW BERNARD O’FARRELL

 

O’FARRELL, MATTHEW BERNARD, Land Investments, Los Angeles, Cal., was born in Toronto, Canada, Dec. 11, 1882, the son of Andrew O’Farrell and Joanna (Fitzgerald) O’Farrell. He married Viola Talamantes at Tampico, Mexico, June 17, 1908. They have a son, Jose Felipi O’Farrell.

Mr. O’Farrell received his early education in a country school at Ayton, Ontario, Canada, and spent 1899 in preparation for the Catholic priesthood, but abandoned this and entered a commercial school.

He began work in a wholesale house at Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, but soon transferred to a lumber firm of the same town and in 1901, after six months gave up his position and went to Montana, U.S., and engaged with a firm of Indiana traders on the Belknap Indian Reservation. After two years he went to Ely, Nev., and became associated with Tex Rickard as a mining broker.

In 1904 Mr. O’Farrell went to New York City, where he opened brokerage offices with branch offices in San Francisco, St. Louis, Detroit, St. Paul, Philadelphia and Toronto.

After three years, however, Mr. O’Farrell was caught in the financial panic of 1907 and experienced such a tremendous setback that his health was impaired and he went to Tampico, Mexico, for recuperation. He remained there for about a year and a half, practically out of business life.

In 1909, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., and became interested in the oil business with J. E. O’Donnell.

After about a year, Mr. O’Farrell became identified with the El Segundo Land & Improvement Co. As a salesman, but within a few months was made Secretary and Sales Manager.

In 1911, Mr. O’Farrell, with his old partner in the oil business, J. E. O’Donnell, formed the firm of O’Donnell & O’Farrell, and engaged in a general real estate and land business.

 

Transcribed 9-1-11 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: Press Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I,  Page 784, International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta.  1913.

© 2011 Marilyn R. Pankey.

 

 

 

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