Born: Sep. 24, 1830
Where: Casey County, Kentucky
Died: Oct. 28, 1903

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A general farmer and potato grower who was achieved marked success in Multnomah county is William L. Farrell, sole architect of his growing fortunes, and dependent from earliest youth upon his own unaided efforts. Born in Casey county, Ky., September 24, 1830, he was six years of age when the family removed to Lafayette county, Mo., where he was educated in the subscription schools, and attained his majority on the paternal farm.

Equipped with a fair common school education and a practical knowledge of farming, Mr. Farrell started overland for California April 14, 1850, accompanied by four other men, and six yoke of oxen. The dangerous journey was accomplished in ninety-six days, and at its expiration the courageous overlanders went to work in the mines on the American river, at Horse Shoe Bend. After a short experiment Mr. Farrell engaged in placer mining at Placerville, Cal., and in February, 1851, engaged in street grading in San Francisco. May 1, 1851, he boarded the old steamer Sea Gull, bound for Portand, fare $80, and upon reaching his destination found employment in teaming for a sawmill company. At the expiration of a year he located near the land which constitutes his present home, but eventually found that the farm of one hundred and sixty acres was practically worthless on account of the high water. Therefore, in 1857, he disposed of his property and bought the one hundred and sixty acres upon which he now lives, and which is a part of the McChung donation claim. There were no improvements on this property, but a heavy growth of timber presaged an enormous outlay of personal effort before seed cound be planted or a yield guarenteed. After realizing satisfactorily as a result of his industry he began to sell off his land, until at the present time he owns about thirty acres. He has made a specialty of potato growing, his land yielding abundantly of this much wanted commodity. While developing his land Mr. Farrell has gained a reputation for devotion to the public welfare which is altogether commendable and argues a weath of shrewd common sense and progressiveness. A Democrat in politics, he was one of the very early suervisors of this county, and has served as school director for several years.

Married February 1, 1853, to Mary Logsdon. One child was born to Mr. Farrell, Mary O., who is now deceased. Mrs. Farrell died in March, 1853, and in February, 1960, Mr. Farrell was united in marriage with Eliza Sunderland, of which union there was born one daughter, Harriet L., who is now deceased. Mr. Farrell bears an honored name in the community of which he is a resident and his success furnishes an example to alll who rebel at early obstacles and the absense of visible encouragement.


Bio submitted by: Elisa Donovan, June, 2003