Mendocino County Obituaries

Mendocino County, California Obituaries Website updated with new data 5-15-2010
McGARVEY, ROBERT Death Has Claimed Robert M’Garvey In this city yesterday morning at one o’clock, Judge McGarvey passed away. His demise has been expected for some time. For the past month, he has gradually grown weaker, until death came as a relief to the sufferer. Following is a brief sketch of the life of the deceased:Robert McGarvey was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 1, 1825. During the year 1830 he accompanied his parents to Dearborn County, Indiana. At an early age, young Robert began to evince a spirit that showed that he would overcome obstacles, no matter how great they were. He earned enough money by his own work to keep him in the best schools of that section, and at an early age of 20 years, he was a professor in the Seminary at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He decided to adopt the profession of law and entered the office of W. S. Holman of that place. While a student of law, the war with Mexico broke out and he enrolled as one of the nation’s defenders. He served during the war and was in several big battles. At Buena Vista, he received two wounds. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Indiana and entered again on his study of law. Early in 1849 he joined a company of gold seekers and started for California across the plains. They arrived to this state in October of the same year, being about seven months on the journey. He remained on the Feather River engaged in mining for several months, then traveled to Tuolumne County where he mined for the balance of the season. He then carried on the business of freighting for a while, and finally embarked in merchandising until 1853. He made a trip to the states in that year to bring his mother out to the “land of gold.” On his return trip, he brought out a large herd of cattle, disposing of the same to the miners to a good advantage. In 1854 he located to Stanislaus County. Here he was elected to the office of county clerk. At the next election, he was elected county judge. He resigned this position, however, after serving about half his term, and in 1861 he moved to Ukiah where he resided up to the time of his death. After moving to Mendocino County, he immediately assumed the position as one of the leading members of the bar. He was elected and served as county judge of the county and also as district attorney and two terms as state senator, during his last term as chairman of judiciary committee of that body. On the adoption of the new constitution in 1879, he was elected superior judge of this county and was twice reelected to that position, filling it for seventeen years. After his retirement from the bench, the subject of this sketch entered into practice of law again, but old age and other physical infirmities forced him to retire. About four years ago, the deceased was stricken with paralysis and up to the time of his death, he was practically helpless.He was united in marriage with Charlotte L. Davis in Stanislaus County on December 25, 1854, who survives him. Six children, Mrs. Belle Day, Mrs. Mollie Holman, Mrs. Sallie Rice, and Mrs. Victor McMullen, and two sons, Stephen and Robert, were the issue of this marriage.Judge McGarvey was one of the best known men of Mendocino County – always a leading citizen, and prominent in all things for the advancement and welfare of the community and the entire county. He was a man of wonderful intellect attainments, scholarly, and a profound student. His memory and deeds will live long and always be identified with the history of the county. Another one of that hardy band of rugged pioneers has passed to the Great Beyond. Gone but not forgotten. The funeral will take place tomorrow, Saturday, at 3 PM from the late residence of the deceased and will be under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of this city, of which Robert McGarvey was a craftsman for many years. [NEWSPAPER: unknown, Oct. 1907. Submitted by Kathie Marynik]