RAY D. McFARLAND

Sacramento County

Biographies

RAY D. McFARLAND

The proportion of native sons of California engaged actively in commercial enterprises is as yet comparatively small. Even more rare is it to find an instance of two generations, father and son, both born in our state, both reared within its boundaries and both educated in its schools, both later following similar lines of business activity and impressing their forceful characters upon associates and acquaintances. Such in brief was the personal history of the late Thaddeus J. McFarland, a native of Vallejo, Solano county; such are the present prospects and the business possibilities of Ray D. McFarland, also a native of California, and now identified with the printing and publishing business in Sacramento county, following the occupation which engaged the attention of his father for a long period.

The son of an adventurous and resourceful pioneer who had been attracted to the Pacific coast by tales concerning the riches of the mines, the late T. J. McFarland became familiar with frontier conditions at an early age. As he became more mature in years he saw the gradual advancement of the state, witnessed the slow but sure development of its resources and grasped the possibilities of the commonwealth. No citizen was more loyal than he and his devotion to the state was one of the most pronounced attributes of his character. Through the medium of his paper he often dwelt upon the opportunities afforded by the coast country, the attractiveness of its climate, the charm of its scenery and the high character of its citizenship. While praising the loyalty of others and always disclaiming any merit of his own, he was entitled nevertheless to mention in the annals of his locality, for he was a true patriot and a progressive citizen. Early in manhood he had married Mary F. Dudley, who was born in Illinois on New Year's Day of 1861. Since his demise, which occurred in the year 1896, she has resided in Folsom.

Ray D. McFarland belongs to the younger generation of rising professional men, for he was born January 24, 1881. An excellent education secured in the Folsom grammar school and the Sacramento high school qualified him for responsibilities awaiting him. Early training in a newspaper office fitted him for journalistic work, so that when his father passed away he was able to assume the difficult task of acting as his successor as editor and manager of the Folsom Telegraph. For several years he has been managing editor and publisher of The Live Stock and Dairy Journal of Sacramento, and in addition he serves as president of the Agricultural publishing Company, owning the publication and printing plant. Besides his connection with and financial interest in the paper he owns the Bank building and the Folsom postoffice building, as well as a neat and tasteful cottage.

Mrs. McFarland, formerly Miss Carrie Hansen, was born in Sacramento county February 2, 1887, and is a young lady of education and culture, a hospitable hostess, welcoming friends to her home with simple dignity and genuine pleasure. Together with Mr. McFarland she is prominently connected with the local chapter of the Eastern Star, while he further holds membership with the Masons, Eagles and the Native Sons of the Golden West. The principles of the Republican party have received his ballot ever since he attained his majority. Political affairs are well understood by him, while his mastery of national problems is so complete that he is regarded as one of the best-posted Republicans in his home town.

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.

Source: Willis, William L., History of Sacramento County, California, Pages 625-626. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.