Biographies
JOHN FARREN
With his aspirations directed beyond the
mere struggle for a daily livelihood and turned toward the acquisition of a
competency, John Farren passed an exceedingly busy
life in his adopted city of Sacramento. When eventually in 1909 death summoned
him from the quiet little home which he and his capable wife had occupied for
many years, he passed into the grateful peace justly earned by the honorable
and industrious citizen. Unselfish toil had sanctified his existence and kindly
humor had cheered his intercourse with his fellowmen. Acquaintances unite in
attributing to him the possession of the wit and optimism that characterize the
Celtic race. Although it was not possible for him to secure an education in his
native Ireland, nor did any good fortune come his way through early life, by
dint of industry and frugality he made a place for himself in his own chosen
circle of society and had a host of friends among the other pioneers of
Sacramento county, where he had made his home from an early day.
The lady with whom John Farren was united in 1896 and whose devotion cheered his
last days was, at the time of their marriage, the widow of William Mehary, a native of Ireland and a pioneer of California.
She likewise was of Celtic blood and claimed the Emerald Isle as her native
home, but, her parents having died when she was very small, she was brought to
the United States in 1850 by one of her brothers, settling first in New York,
where all of her kindred still remain. When first she came to California she
bore up bravely against the depression of homesickness and isolation from
relatives, but as her circle of acquaintances enlarged and as she found more to
admire in the vast country beside the sunset sea she became a devoted champion
of its progress. Especially is she interested in Sacramento, which she has seen
develop from an insignificant western town into a prosperous and progressive
city, worthy of the great commonwealth whose capital it is. For more than forty
years she has lived in the town and for a quarter of a century she has owned
and occupied the residence at No. 523 M street, where surrounded by an
environment grown dear through long associations she is passing into life's
twilight fortified by a deep Christian faith, cheered by the good will of the
pioneers who still survive and crowned by a realization of an existence
unselfishly devoted to the welfare of others. Were it not for the warm
friendship of so many old friends her days would be lonely, for husband and
near relatives are gone, and with her departure from the east long ago she
passed out of intimate touch with the kindred there, but is surrounded by those
evidences of affection so precious to all who have passed out of youth.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 937-938. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.