San Joaquin County
Biographies
LEONARD FURRY
LEONARD FURRY, one of the
old-time Californians now resident of Stockton, is a native of Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, born May 20, 1827, his parents being David and Mary
(Shipe) Furry. The father, a carpenter by trade, was born in Pennsylvania (probably
in Westmoreland County), and the mother was born in Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. Leonard Furry grew up to manhood in his native county, and
learned the carpenter’s trade with his father. In 1847 he went to Illinois, and
located at Quincy, where he followed his trade. In the following year his
parents removed out to Adams County, Illinois, buying and locating on a farm
eighteen miles from Quincy, where both lived until their deaths occurred.
Leonard Furry, the subject of this sketch,
embarked in farming in Illinois for a time, but his crops were drowned out and
he gave it up after an experience of two years. In 1859 he left Quincy by wagon
for St. Joseph, Missouri, taking his wife and two boys. At St. Joseph he bought
another wagon and three additional yoke of cattle, and started for Pike’s Peak.
After having started, however, he decided to keep on to California, and did so,
taking the Salt Lake route. He brought up at Murphy’s, California, and then
took up some land and planted six or seven acres of fruit-trees and
grape-vines. He also carried on work at his trade. He worked at Virginia City
during the excitement there, afterward at Quail Hill, and the next summer he
came down to Stockton and worked. The next season, the building of the Yosemite
House commenced, and he worked on it during its construction. In 1869 he came
to Stockton to live, and built his present family residence. He has followed
contracting in the building line ever since, his work being mostly in Stockton
and the surrounding country. Among other structures which he has built may be
mentioned the Eastern Insane Asylum barn, and the addition to Dr. Clark’s
Pacific Insane Asylum. His work mostly, however, has been on private
residences.
Mr. Furry was married in Quincy, Illinois,
to Miss Margaret Hoover, a native of Pennsylvania, but reared in Illinois. They
have three children, viz: William, a printer on the Independent; J. E.
and John Nathaniel.
Mr. Furry is a member of Stockton Lodge,
I. O. O. F., and of the K. of H. In politics, while liberal in his views, he is
a supporter of the Democratic party on national issues.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 598. Lewis Pub. Co.
Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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