Contra Costa County Biography

ROBERT L. FERNALD

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Robert L. Fernald, a highly respected and representative citizen of Richmond, 
ably discharges the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of city 
council-man, having been elected to that office in April, 1913, for a six-year 
term. He was born near Lafayette, Indiana, January 11, 1859, and was educated in 
Topeka, Kansas, where his parents removed in 1866. He graduated from the Topeka 
High School in 1875. Mr. Fernald learned the carpenter trade with his father, 
and later took up the marble-cutting trade. He engaged with his brothers, W. H. 
and C. H., in the marble business in Topeka, where he remained two years. He 
sold his interest and removed to New Mexico, where he remained one year. He then 
returned to Topeka and engage in the marble business for himself for two years, 
and removed to Dodge City, Kansas, and engaged with the Santa Fe Railroad. He 
then went to Los Angeles for a time, but returned to Topeka, where he operated a 
grocery store for five years. This he sold and returned to Los Angeles and 
engaged in the grocery business there. Three years later Mr. Fernald was again 
employed by the Santa Fe Railroad, and was transfered to various places. In 
July, 1900, he came to Richmond as car foreman. He later went to Oakland in the 
planing-mill business for five years with Tilden & Eakle. Owing to his health, 
he disposed of his interest and went to Los Angeles. Returning to Richmond, he 
has since been engaged in contracting. He served one year as street 
superintendent, and in April, 1913, was elected councilman. Mr. Fernald is a 
member of Richmond Lodge No. 13, K. of P., and has served as master of finance 
since the lodge started, eleven years ago. He is president of the Richmond K. of 
P. Hall Association, and a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman. He was 
married to Miss Eva Estella Wild, a native of New York State, March 14, 1883. 
Their two children are Grace, wife of B. C. Dailey, of Berkeley, born June 9, 
1884, and Roy C., born November 19, 1889, at present deputy assessor and 
tax-collector of Richmond, also worthy patron of the Eastern Star and holds 
membership and office in McKinley Lodge, F. & A. M., of Richmond.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 481-482.