FRANCIS BUCKLEY

 

 

Among the notable pioneers of San Francisco was Francis Buckley, who when a young man was largely influenced by an ambitious and adventurous inclination.  He was born in the famous City of Cork, Ireland, on June 2, 1817, and was there reared and educated.

 

Upon reaching his majority he concluded to leave the Fatherland and started in the early part of 1838 for Sydney, Australia, where he landed in the latter part of that year.  He married in Sydney in December, 1841, and after remaining there for about four or five years, the climatic conditions being unfavorable to the health of both, he embarked across the Pacific Ocean for Valparaiso, Chile, where he arrived in 1843.  He remained in Valparaiso until the latter part of 1848, where he followed the carpentering and contracting business, constructing many of the Government buildings in that city.

 

He heard of the gold discoveries in California, its magnificent climatic conditions and opportunities, and sailed from Valparaiso in the later part of 1848 on the sailing vessel "Chateau Brian," arriving in San Francisco on April 18, 1849.  Here he found hundreds of gold seekers swarming the coast, but determined that his best opportunities would be found in the City of San Francisco, where he remained following the contracting business, building many of the prominent edifices of those early days.

 

 He made both life and business a success and was involved in all the historic and laudable movements to build up a fine city and a sound government, and stood high as a substantial citizen.  He was one of the charter members of the Society of California Pioneers.  As stated, he married while in Australia on December 28, 1841, Miss Honora Guerin, and to them was born thirteen children, of whom nine reached maturity as follows:  Mary, Francis J., Joseph A., Honora A., Daniel J., Gertrude M., Ambrose J., Agnes J. and Elizabeth A.

 

 Mr. and Mrs. Buckley celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary in San Francisco.

 

Mrs. Buckley passed away in May 1900, and was followed by Mr. Buckley in May, 1901.

 

 

Louise E. Shoemaker, Transcriber April 29, 2004