Jasper O'Farrell papers, approximately 1845-after 1924

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Summary

Creators:
O'Farrell, Jasper, 1817-1875
Abstract:
Papers belonging to Jasper O'Farrell, California pioneer, politician, and surveyor.
Extent:
2.50 Linear Feet (1 box and 1 oversize folder)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jasper O'Farrell papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of letters, documents, seven sketches, maps, and one manuscript related to the life and business activities of Jasper O'Farrell. The collection's subject matter and contents include rough surveys and sketches of California ranchos and towns, from 1845 to 1850, receipts, bills, etc., 1850 to 1870, and deeds, leases, and other papers pertaining to O'Farrell's land in Sonoma County, 1855 to 1870. There are also letters to O'Farrell about various business, personal and political topics, from 1846 to 1874, and personal letters from O'Farrell to his daughter, Elena, 1871 to 1875. The collection also contains notes and excerpts from printed accounts of O'Farrell's life and copies of letters dealing with the San Francisco survey, from 1924 and after.

Biographical / historical:

Jasper O'Farrell, pioneer California politician and surveyor, was born in Ireland, where he received a degree in civil engineering. In 1841 he joined a surveying expedition to South America and spent a year in Chile before his arrival in San Francisco in 1843. O'Farrell was employed as a surveyor by the Mexican authorities from 1844 to 1846, continued in government service under American rule, and made an official survey of San Francisco in 1847. He later engaged in mining on the Yuba River and in farming, ranching, and surveying in Sonoma County. He married Mary McChristian in 1849. He was active in politics and was elected state senator from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties in 1858. From 1871 to 1873 he served as a member of the State Board of Harbor Commissioners. He died in San Francisco in November 1875.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Edwin Grabhorn, January 1945.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff. In 2022, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jasper O'Farrell papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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