San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1482
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/14/2009
MRS. W.L. BRENNAN
A favored native daughter of San Joaquin County is found in Mrs. W.L. Brennan, daughter of the late John O'Malley and the widow of the late W.L. Brennan, both prominent and highly honored citizens of this county. She was born on the John O'Malley ranch two miles above Atlanta, on the French Camp Road, where her father owned 1,320 acres of grain land, which he farmed successfully for many years. John O'Malley was born in Ireland and in young manhood came to the United States and settled in Connecticut, where he was later married to Ann Elizabeth Brennan, also born in Ireland. John O'Malley came to California in the early 'fifties alone and upon arriving in Stockton became steward of the Weber House, now known as the Occidental Hotel. His wife and two children, born in the East, joined him in Stockton in 1855. This worthy pioneer couple were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living. John O'Malley retired from the hotel business on account of his health and went to the mines near Copperopolis, but soon became interested in farming and became unusually prosperous in the raising of wheat and other grain. The O'Malley family have always been prominent in the Catholic Church and John O'Malley donated large sums of money for its advancement. Both parents are now deceased, and while their heirs have sold considerable of the property, they still retain the old home place of 130 acres because of its tender associations.
Mary Agnes O'Malley attended the Van Allen district school in the vicinity of her father's ranch and finished her education at St. Agnes Convent in Stockton. On November 13, 1882, she was married to William L. Brennan, familiarly known as Billy Brennan, a native of Ireland, who came to California in 1872. He was the proprietor of the San Joaquin livery stable, the leading one in Stockton for many years. He was a public-spirited citizen and among his various civic duties he was park commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan became the parents of nine children: John James, Vincent John, William Leo, Sylvester Ambrose, Austin Edward, are all deceased; the living children are Cyril Joseph; William Leland married Ruth Irene Craven and they have one child, William Leland, Jr., and reside in Stockton; Anna Clare; and Reginald Vincent, a student of dentistry at the Affiliated Colleges in San Francisco. Mr. Brennan owned considerable valuable real estate in Stockton, including a number of store buildings. He passed away November 23, 1914, mourned by all who knew him as a man of strict honesty and upright dealings. He was known throughout the county as a stanch Democrat. Mrs. Brennan is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the family home is located at 1119 North San Joaquin street.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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