PATRICK O’CONNOR
Was born in County Kerry, Ireland, February 1, 1837. His father was John O’Connor, and his mother, before her marriage, Mary Mahoney. They had ten children, of which Patrick was the eldest. When he was nine years of age his parents moved to America and settled in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. There the young immigrant spent his youthful years attending the public schools and working at farming, acquiring a fair education, together with habits of industry and a full knowledge of the neat and exact farming as practiced in the New England States. These lessons have proven of great advantage to him in after life.
In 1861 he came by steamer to California, with the object of seeking his fortune in the mines. His first venture was in the mines of Scott River, Siskiyou County, where he delved for one year for the glittering dust. Subsequently came the news of gold discovery in the Salmon River country of Idaho, creating a great excitement and causing a rush of miners to that distant region. Mr. O’Connor was one of the mass who went to that new el dorado, spending some time in Washington Territory. After a thorough trial of the mines he returned to the Pacific Coast, eventually to the great dairy farm of the Steele Brothers in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. In 1866 he changed his location to the dairy farm of the Steele Brothers in San Luis Obispo County, where, for four years, he remained, taking charge of one of their dairies which he worked on shares. After the expiration of his lease he established a dairy of his own on a part of the Los Osos Rancho, five miles from San Luis Obispo. The residence and its surroundings form the subject of an illustration in this book. The farm has an area of 1,191 acres, well located in the Los Osos Valley, is well improved and supplied with an abundance of pure, soft water. The dairy numbers 140 cows of choice quality, from which he manufactures daily 335 pounds of fine cheese for San Francisco, where it is consumed or exported to other cities and markets. Mr. O’Connor has had long experience as a practical dairyman, and his products are of unsurpassed excellence. He has the credit of being the pioneer cheese-maker of San Luis Obispo County. His pride in the fine quality of his stock is justified in their appearance, and he claims the ownership of one of the best teams of horses in California. While industriously engaged in the works of his farm he has time to attend to public affairs, in which he takes great interest and pleasure. He has served his district many years as School Trustee, and through his liberality a fine school house was built.
Mr. O’Connor was married April 28, 1860, to Miss Ellen Corhory, a native of Ireland, and seven children live to bless the happy union.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p229. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
HENRY M. OSGOOD
The Member of the Assembly from this county at that time [1858] was Hon. Henry M. Osgood, whose name appears frequently in this history. He had borne a prominent part in the affairs of the county, settling here among the first of the American residents, here marrying and raising a family, and here remaining until his death, November 29, 1882. Mr. Osgood was born in New York, September 21, 1828. When a yotith of eighteen he joined the regiment of New York Volunteers, known as the Stevenson Regiment, for service and settlement in California, and arrived here in the spring of 1847. After the close of the war he was detailed, or employed in the service as express rider, or mail carrier, through this region, and in 1850 became a prominent settler in San Luis Obispo. He first located on the Arroyo Grande and began life as a farmer, subsequently removing to the town of San Luis Obispo. Here he was elected Justice of the Peace, acting as Associate Judge, and held various other offices, also following the business of jeweler, which he continued until his failing health caused him to cease his labors. Mr. Osgood was a popular man, a useful and highly respected member of society, and one of that firm and honorable class of pioneers who aided in establishing and maintaining a substantial government in California. He was a member of the orders of Chosen Friends and of Good Templars, both of which assisted at his funeral. In respect to his memory the following proceedings were published:—
IN MEMORIAM.—San Luis Obispo Lodge, No. 444, I. O. G. T., at its regular meeting, held December 8, 1882, adopted the following resolutions, in memory of Henry M. Osgood, deceased.
WHEREAS, The hand of Divine Providence has removed our esteemed brother, Henry M. Osgood, from our midst, and
WHEREAS, In view of the loss we have sustained by the decease of our friend and brother, and the much heavier loss sustained by those nearest and dearest to him, therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of Henry M. Osgood this Lodge laments the death of a brother, who, though a staunch adherent to temperance principles, never forgot to show charity to those who had fallen by the curse of drink; a worthy member of this Order, whose utmost endeavors were exerted for its welfare and prosperity; a friend who was esteemed by all; a citizen whose consistent, upright life served as a standard of emulation to his fellows.
Resolved, That the heartfelt sympathy of this Lodge be extended to his family in their affliction; that while we deeply grieve at the dispensation with which it has pleased Divine Providence to afflict them, we commend them to the consolation of Him who orders all things for the best, and whose chastisements are meant in mercy.
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of the Lodge, and a copy thereof be transmitted to the family of our deceased brother, and to each of the newspapers of San Luis Obispo, for publication.
C. H. WOODS,
H. P. FLOOD,
D. M. MEREDITH,
Committee.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, pp142-143. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.