California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 SILAS BARRON FARNSWORTH.� The owner of the Sherwood creamery ranch in Mendocino county is an influential member of a pioneer California family that has been connected with the history of San Francisco since the '50s, the first of the name on the coast having been his father, the late David L. Farnsworth, a native of New Hampshire and a man of remark- ably forceful characteristics. Innate individual attributes, quickened b}' the circumstance of association with the west during an epoch-making era, enabled him to attain an unusual degree of success. From a most humble beginning that included the work of a hired hand on a milk ranch, he rose to be the executive head of a large enterprise. The purchase of a team proved the foundation of a teaming business which, with the later admission of John Ruggles into partnership and with the incorporation of the firm of Farns- worth & Ruggles, utilized thirty-six large draft horses in one team for the hauling in one load of the heaviest freight and machinery brought to San Francisco. At the time of his death in 1899 the business had developed into the largest teaming concern in the entire city, and he was then succeeded by a man who had learned the business under him, George A. Hart, as president and general manager. Politics interested him little nor was he solicitous to identify himself with local affairs, although he yielded to the persuasions of friends and consented to serve for one term as representative from the eighth ward upon the county board of supervisors. For years he was associated with Masonry and exemplified in his life the doctrines of philanthropy and brotherhood enunciated by the order. Eight years after his demise occurred the death of his wife, Fannie (Locke) Farnsworth, who like himself claimed New Hampshire as her native commonwealth. The family of this influential pioneer of San Francisco numbered three children, two of whom survive. The eldest, Silas Barron, was born in San Francisco February 28. 1868, and received an excellent education in the Lin- coln grammar school and the commercial department of Litton Springs College. After the completion of his business course in 1889 he entered the office of Farnsworth & Ruggles as bookkeeper and collector, continuing as such for six years, and he is still a large stockholder and a director in the concern. The necessity of superintending the Sherwood creamery ranch brought him to the Sherwood valley Mendocino county, where he has since remained, although since 1904 he has leased the ranch and stock and has made his headquarters in Willits. The ranch lies ten miles north of town on the Humboldt county road and comprises fifteen hundred and twenty acres well adapted for the raising of hay and grain and for the pasturage of stock. Usually about one hundred and twenty-five tons of hay are cut from the meadows, and this is used for the winter feed of the dairy herd of one hundred and fifty head of milk cows. Some of the finest full-blooded and high-grade Holsteins to be found in the entire country are on his ranch, included among them being winners of first prizes at the 1913 State Fair in Sacramento. At this writing about eighty-five head are being milked. The butter sold from the ranch is purchased in the markets of Willits, Fort Bragg and Ukiah. and the perfection of quality results in the sale of all the product at the highest prices. Since leasing the ranch and the fine herd of Holsteins, Mr. Farnsworth has main- tained only a general supervision of the property and has thus had leisure for the due consideration of other large and valuable interests elsewhere in the state. Aside from membership in the Eagles he has no fraternal connections. nor has he been active in politics except in the respect of casting a straight Republican ticket at general elections. Enterprises for the upbuilding of the town and county have depended upon his wise counsel and energetic partici- pation, and in Willits there is a general recognition of his executive ability, progressive spirit and devotion to public interests.