Among the honored dead of Alameda county is numbered Robert Farrelly. His career was one of distinct usefulness and benefit for many years to the community in which he lived. He stood as a high type of American manhood, citizenship and chivalry, and he ever represented the highest standards of industrial, educational and moral activity. He contributed much to the welfare and prosperity of Alameda county through the development of its fruit-growing possibilities and his place, Elmhurst, became famed as one of the most important horticultural centers in the vicinity of Oakland. A native of Parkesburg, Chester county, Pennsylvania, he was born February 24, 1824. His father, Patrick Farrelly, was a native of Ireland and there learned and followed the weaver's trade, but in early manhood sought the opportunities of the new world, crossing the Atlantic to the United States. Thereafter he was a resident of Pennsylvania until called to the home beyond, his death occurring in Philadelphia when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years. It was in that state that he married Sarah Wetherlow, who was born in Coatesville, Chester county.
The family home being established in Philadelphia, Robert Farrelly was there reared and educated and, as usual with the boys of the period, he began learning a trade, taking up carpentering, when seventeen years of age, in that city and in Reading, Pennsylvania. At a period in life when a story of opportunity and adventure takes a strong hold upon one, he heard of the west and resolved that he would try his fortune upon the Pacific coast, where the discovery of gold seemed to open a limitless field for ambitious young men. On the 26th of February, 1849, two days after celebrating his twenty-fifth birthday, he joined a company intending to go to California, a company that chartered a schooner which was to convey them to Tampico, Mexico. From that point they traveled overland to San Blas on the Gulf of California,, at which point Mr. Farrelly and four companions embarked on another ship for San Francisco, where they arrived on the 15th of July. There was a great demand for carpentry work, and Mr. Farrelly, therefore, resumed activities in the line of his trade. He had no difficulty in finding not only all the work he could do but more and was thus employed until March, 1850, when he went to San Jose Mission, where he also spent a year carpentering. In 1851 he became a resident of San Lorenzo, Alameda county, then a part of Contra Costa county, and purchased of William Castro sixty-five acres of land, turning his attention to general farming, in which he continued until 1859. He then disposed of his land and in 1860 purchased the farm on Stanley road, near Oakland, on which he continued to reside until his demise. He came into possession of an uncultivated tract and at once began the work of development, the result of his labors being manifest in one of the most valuable ranches of Alameda county. His place comprised fifty-two and a quarter acres, rich and productive, and as the result of the improvements which he placed upon it, it became worth five hundred dollars per acre. He soon proved the possibilities of his place for general farming and then turned his attention to the cultivation of fruit, planting a cherry orchard in 1861. Within a few years his cherries became famed throughout the United States. Year after year he continued his horticultural activities until he retired in the later years of his life. No man did more to demonstrate the possibilities of California for fruit production, and the example which he set was followed by many others, resulting greatly in the benefit and prosperity of his section of the state. Mr. Farrelly, as success attended him, made large investments in bank stock and was one of the organizers of the Bank of San Leandro, of which he became a director, so continuing until his death, while for many years he was also vice president. Other banks profited by his wisdom and judgment and his life at all times was one of distinct worth and value to his county.
On the 26th of December, 1852, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Farrelly and Miss Henrietta Wilson, who was born in Pulaski, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Theirs was a union of kindred interests in every particular. Mrs. Farrelly is prominent among the pioneer women of Alameda county, where she has lived for more than three score years. She has witnessed the entire development and upbuilding of this section and the transformation of towns into thriving metropolitan cities. She is a daughter of William M. Wilson, who owned a ranch in this section in pioneer days, having been drawn to California by a desire to win wealth in the gold fields. Mrs. Farrelly was born in 1837 and afterward became a resident of Cincinnati, whence she came to California with her stepmother by way of the Isthmus route in 1851, joining her father in Alvarado. The following year she became the wife of Robert Ferrally and for a number of years they were residents of Alvarado, removing thence to the place which became notable as their home.
In politics Mr. Farrelly was an active figure for an extended period, exerting a wide influence in support of republican principles in Alameda county. He was frequently called to office, serving as county treasurer for two terms and as supervisor for six terms. The validity and value of his public acts were never questioned and his public spirit was a marked force for good. He never met defeat at the polls and had the general support of broad-minded citizens, who recognized his fitness and ability. His life was always one of benefit to the community. He had an extensive acquaintance and his influence was invariably on the side of progress and improvement. His were the blessed accompaniments of old age--honor, riches and troups of friends. Ere his death it was written of him after he had passed the eightieth milestone on life's joruney:
"On all occasions when it has lain within his power to render material assistance to promote the welfare of the community he has not shirked his duty, but on the other hand has given freely of his time and means toward the advancement of the best interests of all and the elevation of the industrial, educational and moral status of Alameda county. A man of unimpeachable integrity and abouning public spirit, whose religion is a spirit of good-fellowship and an adherence to the golden rule, his name will long be remembered as that of one of the most useful and representative men of California. In the twilight of his life he and his wife are surrounded by those comforts to which their long labors entitle them, honored and respected by all who know them. Throughout their lives they have set an example which may well serve to guide those of the younger generation who would win not only success but the regard of their fellowmen."
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 8/11/2008, Pages 574-577
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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