|
|
THOMAS FARMER
By his unwavering courage and determination, Mr. Farmer has achieved success in life and though practically retired
from active pursuits, maintains an interest in the progress of the community which he has assisted in developing.
As a man of sterling qualities, ever considerate of the rights of others, he has made countless friends who respect
him for his ability and unfailing generosity. and now in the twilight of life's activites he and his wife are living
quietly at their home on Central avenue, San Jacinto.
Thomas Farmer was born in Breewood Parish, England, July 7, 1842, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Farmer, both lifelong
residents of that country. Only one other member of the family is living in California, a brother of Thomas, and
a pioneer of San Jacinto, but now a resident of Covina. Mr. Farmer received a common school education and as soon
as old enough was apprenticed to the wheelwright's trade, but did not follow it. After he had served his time he
worked at various occupations, learning parts of several trades in the course of his career, having a natural mechanical
ability. He worked as a contractor in the construction of a plant at a large colliery in Hednesford, England, and
after completing it accepted a position as foreman of the colliery, remaining so employed until he left there,
in 1888, for California, coming direct to San Jacinto, where he had a brother who had written of the wonderful
climate of this section. Upon his arrival he built a small cottage and engaged in any employment that would bring
an honest living for his family. He carried on truck gardening with success, supplying in season the first and
best plants produced in this place. For two years he engaged in working for the San Jacinto Lumber Company and
the O. B. Fuller Company, at their lumber camps in the mountains. Returning to town, he opened a wood working shop,
meanwhile his wife and daughters started a hotel, known as the San Jacinto Hotel. Some time later the family moved
to a ranch on the river, but the high waters washed away part of their land and they returned to town. He resumed
woodworking and the wife and daughters opened up the Farmer Hotel. Beginning on a small scale the business increased
to such proportions that Mr. Farmer gave up his work and assisted in the management of the hotel. For many years
they carried on the business, developing the property until he sold out. The hotel is now conducted by W. G. Vosburgh,
who in 1912 added improvements costing over $12,000.
The marriage of Mr. Farmer occurred in 1868, uniting him with Miss Jane Williams, a native of England, and of this
union four children were born, three living and residents of San Jacinto: Florence married Percy Walker and died
in 1898; Frank, an engineer on the Santa Fe, has two daughters; Emma Jane is Mrs. E. J. Dunham and the mother of
two children; and Hannah is the wife of W. G. Vosburgh and they are parents of two children.
From:
History of Riverside County, California
With a Biographical Review
History by Elmer Wallace Holmes
And other well known writers
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, California 1912
Privacy Policy for
OnlineBiographies
|
NAVIGATION
Riverside County, CA
Biographies
Online
Biographies
New York
Histories
New York
Biographies
Maine
Histories
Pennsylvania
Histories
Pennsylvania
Biographies
For all your genealogy needs visit Linkpendium
|