Sacramento County
Biographies
C. ALLISON TELFER
The era during which accurate genealogical
records were lost in the midst of traditional lore found the Telfer family tilling the soil of Scotland, where their
broad tracts in the highlands and their large flocks of sheep gave indication
of their prominence. When religious persecutions arose
their devotion to their creed as well as their high standing in the country
endangered their lives. For that reason they crossed over to Ireland, took up
land and started anew amid the less encouraging conditions presented by the
Emerald Isle. Hoping to better their condition in the new world,
representatives of a later generation crossed the ocean to America and settled
on the bleak hills of Nova Scotia, where a scanty livelihood was secured by the
tilling of the soil.
Of Nova Scotian
birth, C. Allison Telfer became familiar with
agricultural conditions in that country through the difficult experiences of
boyhood labor. The rugged coast, the stern climate and the barren hills,
although not without a wild beauty of their own, rendered the task of earning a
livelihood so devoid of pleasure that he determined to seek another location.
With that object in view he moved to Massachusetts and settled in the vicinity
of Boston, where, finding agricultural efforts little less toilsome than in his
native peninsula, he turned his attention to the lumber business. In the search
for more satisfactory climatic conditions he came to California in 1889
and during October of that year arrived at Fresno, where he secured a position
with the Fresno National bank. Two years later, in recognition of his ability,
he was promoted to the office of cashier, and for eleven years he continued in
the same position, filling it with such tact, sagacity and intelligence that
universal regret was expressed among depositors when ill-health forced him to
resign in 1902. The physical need for outdoor exercise led him into the
irrigation business and for some time he took charge of the systems near
Fresno, after which for four years he engaged in the raisin business in that
valley.
The responsibilities connected with the
management and secretaryship of the California
State Agricultural Society, to which position he had been elected, led Mr. Telfer to remove to Sacramento in April of 1911, and since
then he has managed the society headquarters in the capital city, from which
point he works through the entire state in the interests of agricultural
progress. He is a firm believer in California as an agricultural center, finding
the soil and climate much better adapted to such work than the soil and climate
with which he became familiar in early life. While living in the east he was
united in marriage in 1884 with Miss Evoline Bennett,
a native of Beverly, Mass., and a descendant of one of the prominent old
families of Revolutionary fame. They are the parents of two children, namely: Abbie, who was born July 2, 1888, and Gerard, whose birth
occurred at Fresno October 5, 1894. The family have a
high social standing in Sacramento and likewise number many friends among the
people of Fresno, their former place of residence. The Republican party has received the support of Mr. Telfer
ever since he became a voting citizen and his support has been given to
movements for the progress of the party. In fraternal relations he is connected
with the Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 846-847. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.