Santa Clara County
Biographies
MRS. MARTHA ZERELDA FARRINGTON
The mines of California are not owned exclusively by men, nor can the stronger sex claim a monopoly of prospecting, or the assaying of ore. Women have stepped into the development of this important resource with surprising results, and have made names for themselves in a field of human effort requiring nerve, coolness of judgment, and physical endurance. To be permanently successful in mining is a consummation attained by comparatively few, for the element of speculation has robbed the occupation of certainty, and the few who have their business upon a solid footing and can depend upon a substantial yearly income, regardless of fluctuation in quotations, must needs possess not only more than average sagacity, but extensive knowledge of the individual mines of the country. To this latter class belongs Mrs. M. Z. Farrington, one of the most prominent and wealthy mine owners and operators making their headquarters in San Jose. Her predilection for mining is a natural one, for her father, Cy Mulkey, is one of the best known miners in the state, and it was while he was living in Eugene, Ore., that Mrs. Farrington was born. Cy Mulkey is a typical 49er, brave, strong, honest and dependable, and wherever he goes he is loved for his generous heart, shrewd knowledge of human nature, loyalty to friends and unfailing good nature.
Mr. Mulkey was born February 26, 1832, near Lexington, Mo., whither his father, Rev. Thomas Mulkey, had removed from his native state of Tennessee. In the fatherland across the sea the ancestral home was known as a baronetcy, but out of deference to American brevity and disregard for distinction other than that won by personal merit, Von Moltke, has never appeared on birth or marriage certificates, or in land transactions, this side of the ocean. Rev. Thomas Mulkey was a preacher in the Christian Church in Missouri, and, thinking to find a broader field for well doing in the west, crossed the plains with his family in 1847, his death occurring four days after his arrival in Eugene, Ore. Cy Mulkey was fourteen years old at the time of this weary journey, and he settled with the family near Monmouth, Polk county, where he soon after heard of the discovery of gold in California. Crossing the mountains into the new Eldorado with a party of friends, he prospected in Placer county along the Feather river, discovering some of the richest placer mines known at that time. He was the discoverer of the Fraser river mines, and he also made discoveries on Queen Charlotte Island. Ups and downs and fluctuating success have never changed his opinion of mining, or his liking for its adventure and experience. At the present time he is engaged in mining in Eldorado county, and will probably end his days near the great deposits which first made the state famous. If Mr. Mulkey is an enthusiastic miner, he has found time to become equally interested in stock-raising and at one time owned several stock farms in Montana, Idaho and California. Some of the finest horses known in their day were bred on his farms, and it is only necessary to recall such names as Sinfax and Joe Howe to convince the public that his standard of excellence has been a high one. Since disposing of his own farms, Mr. Mulkey has managed farms for some of the best known magnates of the coast, having taken charge of the Stanford farm for two years, and of the Spreckels farm for seven years. He has always been active in Democratic politics and his special fitness to govern has resulted in his election to many important offices. Old timers like to recall his term as sheriff of Inyo county, and his wholesome lessons to the greasers, hitherto supposed to be a law unto themselves. The presiding sheriff instilled into their minds a proper respect for the constitution of the United States, and made them regard Inyo county with less favor than of old. So satisfactory were his services that he was elected to a second term, but resigned owing to having made arrangements to take a couple of hundred of fine horses to Montana, where he made his home for some time. In Eugene, Ore., Mr. Mulkey married Mathilda Jane Gibson, of Independence, Mo., and daughter of James Gibson of Tennessee, and Elizabeth (Burris) Gibson, of Kentucky. Grandfather Gibson was a large planter in Virginia, and in youth moved to Tennessee, in after years settling in Jackson county, Mo., of which he was an early pioneer. He brought his family overland to Oregon in 1853, his outfit including a heard of full-blooded shorthorns, with which he settled near Eugene, Lane county, in the vicinity of Pleasant Grove. Later he located in the Umpqua valley, near Oakland, and died there at an advanced age, an industrious, persevering man, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had ten children, five of whom are living. Besides Martha Zerelda Farrington, Mr. and Mrs. Mulkey have had three other children, and older daughter, Elizabeth Ann, who died at four years of age; and two younger sons, James Thomas and Horace B., the former of whom died in infancy, while the latter is engaged in mining on Queen Charlotte Island.
Mrs. Farrington completed her education at Mills College, and in San Francisco married Archibald Farrington, a mining and stock man. For several years she has occupied her imposing residence at No. 255 North Third street, San Jose. In 1895 she became actively interested in mining, having behind her the experience of her father and brother, and her own knowledge picked up since she was a child. She began with bonding, fitting up and selling mines, and achieved marked success with the La Porte Consolidated Mining Company of Plumas county, which is engaged in deep channel mining. She has since sold her holdings in this but is the treasurer of the Farrington Gold Mining Company, of Calaveras county, and holds extensive interests in other properties in Calaveras and the surrounding counties. She is an experienced prospector and assayist, and has herself discovered properties which have netted large returns. Mrs. Farrington has an interesting and charming personality, and notwithstanding her success as a business woman, retains her femininity, and is popular with her own sex. She holds as most admirable and worthy the career of her pioneer father, and depends upon him as her most excellent guide.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 655-656. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.