San Francisco County
Biographies
JOHN J. O’FARRELL
JOHN
J. O’FARRELL,
a well-known real-estate dealer in San Francisco, was born in Sonoma county,
California, October 11, 1856. His father, Jasper O’Farrell, a noted pioneer
of the State, was a native of Ireland, born in 1822; he received his education
in his own country and was given a diploma as Civil Engineer. He left England on a surveying expedition to
the coast of South America, arriving there in 1841. After remaining one year in Valparaiso,
Chili, he came to California on a United States coast surveying vessel, landing
in October, 1843. In 1844-45 the Mexican
Government employed him to run the lines of Alta California, and he also
surveyed many of the ranches owned by Mexicans, having his headquarters at
Yerba Buena. In 1846 he settled on a
large tract of land which he had obtained from the Mexican Government; he named
this place “Anally” after his old home in Ireland. In 1849 he married the youngest daughter of
M. McChristian, who arrived in California in 1845. She was a woman of many rare gifts and their home was ever open to their friends, and many a
wanderer in those early days enjoyed the shelter of their roof and their
generous hospitality. In 1847, under
instructions from the alcalde, W. A. Bartlett, Mr. O’Farrell extended and
completed the survey of San Francisco, and the residents of this city are under
lasting obligations to him for the ample width of Market street,
as the establishment of its present boundary was strongly opposed at that time
by many of the property owners. It was
at this time that O’Farrell street was named in his
honor. Many of the contracts made with
the town have been found among his papers.
Politically he was a conservative Democrat. He was elected a member of the State Senate
to represent Sonoma and Mendocino counties, and he was at one time a member of
the State Legislature. By the
Legislature he was elected a member of the State Board of Harbor Commissioners;
he discharged every public trust in a most capable and efficient manner. He was a man of culture and refinement, and
was highly esteemed by all who had the honor of knowing him. His death was sudden and occurred in
November, 1875. Eight children survive
him.
John
J. O’Farrell was educated in his native city, and was a student of St. Mary’s
college. When quite a young man he held
the responsible position of purser for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company,
retaining the office seven years; he was the youngest purser ever employed by
the company. In 1879 he engaged in the
real-estate business, and has met with good success. He is now the head of the real-estate firm of
O’Farrell & Quay, at 11 Montgomery street, where
he enjoys a large patronage. He is a
member of the Pioneer Society of California, by reason of his father’s having been a member. In 1886 he was married to Miss Mary Loughran
of Missouri, and they are the parents of three children, all born in San
Francisco. Politically Mr. O’Farrell
holds independent views. In commercial
circles he is recognized as one of the leading spirits, and is regarded as a
reliable, upright business man.
Transcribed by Donna L.
Becker.
Source: “The Bay of San
Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 640-641, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Donna L.
Becker.
California Biography
Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library