California Biographies

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 the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


GEORGE D. FARR. The grain and stock resources of Merced county have made independ- 
ent fortunes for many industriously inclined land owners, with the result that it is one of the 
best known sections of the state to be devoted to these commodities. One of the most promi- 
nent of the grain and stock raisers in the vicinity of Geneva is George D. Farr, owner of two 
hundred and fifty acres of land, including the town site of Geneva. Prior to the purchase of 
his present home place he farmed three and one-half sections of land. In his family lives Michael 
Farr, the father to whom he owes his early training and education, and whose ambition and hard- 
ihood resulted in establishing the family on the coast. The elder Farr was born in Canada, and 
there married Catherine Nash, with whom he began housekeeping on a northern Canadian 
farm. He was successful and saved money, and with his wife came to California in 1852, sailing 
from New York to Aspinwall, and from Panama to San Francisco. After three years of success 
and failure in the mines along the American river, he began farming in Santa Clara valley, 
in 1856 removing to San Joaquin county, and from there to Contra Costa county. In the lat- 
ter county he had a ranch of two thousand acres devoted mainly to stock. He lived for a short 
time in Livermore, Alameda county. In 1889 he sold his land and came with his son to his 
present farm near Geneva, where he is enjoying fair health and is in good spirits, notwithstand- 
ing that seventy-six years have passed over his head. 

George D. Farr was born on his father's farm in Contra Costa county, May 11, 1867, and when 
old enough to assume responsibility entered into a business partnership with his father. It was 
largely through his advice that the Contra Costa farm was sold and the one near Geneva pur- 
chased. Mr. Farr has effected a transformation in his property, has made many improvements 
and has exerted every energy to make his ranch a model of its kind. He is progressive, cautious 
and painstaking, and is one of the best authorities on grain and stock raising in the county. 
Since locating here he has married Frankie Whealan, a daughter of William Whealan, a 
prominent rancher in their neighborhood. Four children have been born into the Farr household : 
Viva, who was accidentally killed September 7, 1904; Zyta, Curtis and Stanley.