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Thomas Lewis McFarlane Jr.'s parents were:
Thomas Lewis McFarlane Sr., b. Oct. 26, 1796 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, PA. and d. July 22, 1873 in Jackson county, IA.
Susanna Alexander, b. May 12, 1809 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and d. May 12, 1890 in Jackson county, IA.
Thomas & Susanna McFarlane's children were:
1. Margaret Lewis McFarlane, b. Oct. 30, 1828 in PA. and d. abt. 1894 in IA. Margaret marr. Elijah Johnson.
2. Andrew Lewis McFarlane, b. Mar. 3, 1830 in PA. and d. May 23, 1905 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.
3. Eliza...
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Thomas Lewis McFarlane Jr.'s parents were:
Thomas Lewis McFarlane Sr., b. Oct. 26, 1796 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, PA. and d. July 22, 1873 in Jackson county, IA.
Susanna Alexander, b. May 12, 1809 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and d. May 12, 1890 in Jackson county, IA.
Thomas & Susanna McFarlane's children were:
1. Margaret Lewis McFarlane, b. Oct. 30, 1828 in PA. and d. abt. 1894 in IA. Margaret marr. Elijah Johnson.
2. Andrew Lewis McFarlane, b. Mar. 3, 1830 in PA. and d. May 23, 1905 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.
3. Eliza Spark(s) McFarlane, b. abt. 1832 and d. Jan. 22, 1864. Eliza marr. Israel Davis.
4. John McFarlane, b. Mar. 8, 1834 in PA. and d. May 17, 1881 in Ivanpah, San Bernardino, CA. John was marr. to Anne Phoebe Nowland.
5. Anna St. Clair McFarlane, b. Mar. 7, 1836 and d. Mar. 17, 1911. Anna marr. David A. Seymour.
6. Susannah Alexander McFarlane, b. Sep. 8, 1839– (alive in the 1910 census). Susannah marr. Cleveus C. Kendall.
7. Thomas Lewis McFarlane, b. Jan. 8, 1841 in Allegheny City (now known as the north side of Pittsburgh), Allegheny county, PA. and d. Jan. 12, 1888 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles county, CA. Thomas marr. Caroline Ann Seeley.
8. Agatha Lewis McFarlane, b. May 16, 1843 in PA. and d. Oct. 20, 1862 in Jackson county, IA.
9. William Alexander McFarlane, b. May 1845 in IA. and d. Jun. 2, 1920 in Vanderbilt, San Bernardino County, CA.
From the book: “An Illustrated History of Southern California: History of San Bernardino County, P. 501 (or 504)
Thomas L. McFarlane, one of the oldest and most expert miners on the Pacific Coast, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, in January 1840.
Meeting with financial reverses by which he lost his property, Mr. McFarlane’s father moved with his family to Iowa when Thomas was four years of age. He died in that State some twelve years ago.
In 1859 Mr. McFarlane drove six yoke of oxen across the plains for a company who were freighting for the United States Government from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake. The train was composed of thirty wagons and thirty-six men and the company received an average of fifty cents per pound for transportation. On reaching Salt Lake, Mr. McFarlane and seven comrades bought a team and came through to California that fall, reaching Placerville late in September. The same autumn he came down to Kern County, where he had two brothers engaged in farming, and joining them he pursued the same vocation for two years.
In the fall of 1861 he came to San Bernardino County and spent the winter in Holcomb valley. This was the season of the great flood, and the low lands of the San Bernardino valley were entirely inundated, forming a continuous lake of water many miles in extent.
In the spring of 1862 Mr. McFarlane returned to the Kern river country and went into the mines, where he and his three comrades took out $1,600 apiece in six weeks.
In 1863 and 1864, he and his brothers built what is known as the McFarlane toll road, which extended from the Kern river to the Tulare valley, a distance of about forty miles of mountain road. They kept the road until 1870, when a lack of travel, owing to a change of outlet by way of Los Angeles to the seaboard, they were compelled to surrender their charter and lost their investment.
In February, 1870, he and his brother started for Ivenpagh (Ivanpah), their total capital being $450. After reaching their destination and prospecting until they were about worn out and disheartened the subject of this sketch accidentally ran on to an uncovered ledge of rich silver ore, and hence was the first discoverer of that now famous mine from which several million of dollars have since been taken. He and his brother incorporated as the Ivenpagh (Ivanpah) Mining Company, which was afterward reincorporated as the Ivenpagh (Ivanpah) Consolidated Mining Company: this firm has taken out nearly two million dollars. Mr. McFarlane still owns valuable mining property there. His brother, A. J. McFarlane, was the discoverer of the Long Tom gold mine in Kern County, which has been very productive. There were four of them interested in it, and after working it profitably for a time they sold it for $20,000.
In 1876 Mr. McFarlane started into the livery business in San Bernardino. He has also tried merchandising and dealing in real estate, but his chief success has been in mining.
In 1878 he married Miss Seely, daughter of David Seely, one of the early pioneers of San Bernardino valley, and they have resided in the city ever since. Their homestead comprises nearly an acre of land on Sixth street between L and D streets. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
In the 1870 U. S. census, 30 yr. old Thomas McFarlane, a miner, b. in PA., was living in Township 2 (post office: Linn's valley), Kern, CA. with his
36 yr. old brother, John McFarlane, a miner, b. in PA.
24 yr. old brother, William McFarlane, a miner, b. in IA.
Thomas' real estate was valued at $3,000 and his personal estate at $200.
On Nov. 7, 1877, T. L. (Thomas Lewis) McFarlane (Jr.) and Caroline 'Carrie' Ann Seeley were married in San Bernardino County, CA., according to San Bernardino County Marriage records.
Thomas and Carrie McFarlane's children were:
1. Thomas Lewis Barton III, b. Mar. 15, 1879 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. and d. May 16, 1960 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.
2. Emma Lewis Barton, b. Jan. 25, 1881 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. and d. Jan. 27, 1965 in San Bernardino County, CA. Emma marr. Harold B. Beamer.
In the 1880 U. S. census, 40 yr. old Thos. McFarland (McFarlane), working in mining, b. in IA., was living at 86 Sixth St. in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with his
23 yr. old wife, Caroline McFarland (McFarlane) , b. in CA., was keeping house and
1 yr. old son, Thomas McFarland (McFarlane), b. in CA.
Caroline's father was b. in Canada and her mother in NY.
Thomas Sr's father was b. in Canada and his mother in IA.
Thomas McFarlane Jr. was a mining engineer, who owned and developed the Ivanpah silver mines deep in the Mohave Desert.
The Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Fri., Aug. 12, 1881
Item from: LOCAL BREVITIES
Mr. Thomas McFarlane of San Bernardino, one of the owners of the McFarlane mine, Providence mountain, is a guest at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Thomas and Caroline divorced sometime before 1899 and
on Jun. 21, 1899, Caroline marr., 2nd, John Henry Barton in San Bernardino County, CA.
In the 1900 U. S. census, 59 yr. old 'widower (divorcé)', Thos L. Mc Farland (McFarlane), a miner, b. Jan. 1841 in PA., was living alone in a rented home at 386 E St. in San Bernardino Ward 1, San Bernardino, CA.
Thomas' father was b. in PA. and his mother in Ireland.
In the 1910 U. S. census, 69 yr. old widower (and head of household), Thomas L McFarland (McFarlane), a self-employed miner in the mines, b. in PA., was living at the Ranch House Barstow which he owned in Barstow, San Bernardino, CA. with 26 lodgers, all laborers.
Thomas' father was b. in PA. and his mother in Ireland.
Thomas was out of work for 20 weeks in 1909.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 8, Col. 3
Sun., Dec. 21, 1913
Excerpt from: Pioneers
The new log cabin filled with Pioneers and visitors, created enthusiasm at the regular meeting yesterday, President Silas C. Cox presiding, having Sisters McElvain and Smithson as his supporters.
The applications of Thomas Lewis McFarlane, Sr., and of Miss irma Boren, for membership, were presented, and they were elated and congratulated, both acknowledging the honor conferred. Brother McFarlane was present in Hanover county, Illinois, where he heard one of the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas (in 1858), which he says can never be forgotten. He crossed the plains to California, driving an ox team.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 2, Col. 6
Fri., Jan. 13, 1922
DIED
M’FARLANE - In Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, January 11, Thomas L. McFarlane, native of Pennsylvania, age 82 years.
Funeral service will be held in Los Angeles.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P.13, Col. 1
Fri., Jan. 13, 1922
*Note: The left-hand part of the article is cut off. Wherever it is illegible, I will put a _?_.
PIONEER MINER DIES AS RESULT OF HIP INJURIES
Funeral Services Will Be Held Today for Thomas L. McFarlane
_?_RT TEN DAYS AGO
_?_ One of Discoverers of Famous Ivanpah Mine in Northern District
Thomas L. McFarlane, well-known mining man for the past half century, passed away in a Los Angeles hospital just before midnight Wednesday night at the age of 82 years. Death came as a result of a serious _?_ received in Los Angeles about _?_ days ago which caused a fracture of the hip. Because of his enfeebled _?_ because of his age he was _?_ ment will be made.
Visiting Daughter
The funeral service will be held in Los Angeles today, several friends _?_ down from this city for the _?_rites. Word received here last evening did not indicate where the interment will be maid (made).
McFarlane went to Los Angeles about two weeks ago for a visit with his daughter, Mrs. Emma Beamer and met with his injury a few _?_ afterward. His son, Thomas L. McFarlane Jr. (III), was in Los Angeles yesterday. The son and daughter are the only members of his family surviving.
McFarlane was one of the remaining links between the _?_ of Gold and the present. He had been in the state for more than _?_ years, the greater part of that having been spent in mining activities. In spite of his years he made prospecting trips to the desert until very recently.
The best known mining project which Mr. McFarlane was inter_?_ was that of the famous Ivanpah mine in the northeast part of the county which was discovered by him and one of his brothers in
_?_
They organized the Ivanpah Consolidated Mining Company and _?_ted the property until the price of silver stopped production. Several million dollars were taken out of the Ivanpah property in the years the McFarlanes operated it.
Came In Ox Team
Mr. McFarlane was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 6, 1840. When he was four years of age, the family moved to Iowa where they lived until 1859 when he drove _?_yoke of oxen across the plains for a company which was freighting for the government from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake. The train was composed of 30 wagons and 36 men in the company received an average of 50 cents a pound for handling the freight. On reaching Salt Lake, McFarlane and seven comrades bought a team and came through to California, reaching Placerville late September. The same autumn he _?_ to Kern County where he and two brothers engaged in mining for two years.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. McFarlane came to San Bernardino county and spent the winter in the Holcomb _?_ey mining camps. This was the season of the great floods when the San Bernardino Valley was literally a lake. In the following spring, McFarlane returned to Kern county and went into the mines on the Kern river, where he and three companions took out $1,600 each in six weeks.
Built Toll Road
In 1863 and 1864 McFarlane and his brothers built what was known in those days as the McFarlane toll road from the Kern river to the Tu_?_ country, a distance of 40 miles. They operated the road until 1870 when they surrendered their charter _?_ag to travel to and from the _?_h being diverted by another _?_e. It was then that he and his brothers went into the Ivanpah coun_?_. With his brothers he was at one time interested in the Long Tom Mine on Kern river which was discovered by A. J. McFarlane.
In 1876, business opportunities attracted Mr. McFarlane and he operated a livery _?_le at one time.
Deceased was a charter member of Valley Lodge No. 27, Knights of _?_nias of this city, the lodge having been organized in 1874. He was also a member of Phoenix Lodge 178, F and A. M. For some years, he had resided on South E Street.
Mr. McFarlane was the last of a quartet of brothers. all of whom were prominent in their day in the mining history of the county. The brothers were William, Andrew and John, beside Thomas, just died. During the Ivanpah days they had in their employ Ed Sheflin, who became famous afterward as the discoverer and founder of Tombstone, Arizona.
San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 9, Col. 7
Sat., Jan. 14, 1922
Big Price for Silver Paid Here
DEATH OF McFARLANE CAUSES REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS TO CIRCULATE
many mining reminiscences were in circulation yesterday among the old timers by news of the death of Thomas L. McFarlane, who was one of the oldest mining men in the city.
McFarlane spent most of his mining activities in digging silver. One of the stories he used to tell was that he sold a large shipment of silver bullion at $1.36 an ounce. Those who had heard the story did not remember when the sale was made, but believe it was sometime in the sixties.
That is probably the highest price every paid for silver in this county, or at least McFarlane claimed it was.
Statistics of the World Almanac show that at only one time in the history of the country did the price of silver reach the $1.36 mark, in 1859. As McFarlane did not arrive in California until the fall of that year, it is probable that the sale was made later. Mining men agree however, that it was possible that silver might have touched the high mark later in 1859 for brief periods, as it remained very high for more than a decade after that, it having been $1.29 at the time of the “crime of ’73.”
Since those days silver has had many ups and downs. At the present time it is selling at about $1 and the market has caused considerable activity in silver properties in the past year or more.
*Burial location from list of burials at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. |
