Alameda County CA Archives Obituaries.....Harlan, George Washington January 3, 1906
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Oakland Tribune, January 4, 1906
“PIONEER RESIDENT HAS PASSED AWAY.

[portrait with caption: “The Late George W. Harlan”]

George Harlan, One of the Early Settlers of Alameda County, Dies.

George W. Harlan, one of the earliest pioneers of California and one of the 
oldest residents of San Leandro, died Wednesday morning of a paralytic stroke, 
and was buried this afternoon [in the San Lorenzo Cemetery], thee [sic] funeral 
being held from the family home.

Mr. Harlan was born on the county line of Wayne and Henry countries [sic], 
Indiana, July 21, 1820, and was therefore somewhat over 86 years of age at the 
time of his death. His father was William Harlan of Kentucky.

As a young man he learned the miller’s trade and at the age of 25 went to 
Michigan, where he stayed a year, and where he outfitted for California, 
arriving in this State at Santa Clara, November 21, 1846 [with the Harlan 
Party.]

After three months’ service in the Mexican war under Captain Aaram, he engaged 
in milling in San Jose, also raising wheat, and finally bought a ranch between 
San Jose and San Francisco, being at that time the only American farmer between 
the two points.

But he had scarcely started into that before the news of the finding of gold at 
Sutter’s mill came, and he started out for that point.  On the way, however he 
stopped at Folsom and panned out $600 in a week, and returned.

In 1850 he went to Los Angeles and bought 100 head of cattle, bringing them 
overland to San Jose, where he sold them at good prices, and in 1852 went to 
New York by the Golden Gate steamer and the Isthmus route, and bought 800 head 
of cattle which he brought successfully to Eden township [in Alameda County], 
opening a dairy where the County Infirmary now is, in the midst of a large 
tract of land which he had secured.

In 1855, however, he bought the small place in San Leandro and erected the 
house in which he ever afterward lived, making him, after Mrs. Mary Haas, 
probably the oldest continuous resident of this town and in one house.

In [Lexington,] Missouri [in 1846], while still a young man, Mr. Harlan married 
his cousin, Sarah Harlan, who preceded him to the next life but a few years 
ago.  Their children are Noel C. who has business in San Francisco; Miss D. 
Belle, the teacher, residing at home, and Mrs. Maud Henry, who for years has 
been the housekeeper of the family.

Mr. Harlan was typically a pioneer, rugged, honest, kindly, beloved by all who 
knew him.  Originally a Whig in politics, when that party went to pieces he 
became a Democrat, and as such was twice elected Treasurer of Alameda county.  
In later years he became a Republican.  He was a cousin of J. A. W. Harlan 
[Jacob Wright Harlan?], author of “My Recollections of California” 
[“California ’46 to ‘88.”] END

Additional Comments:
Oakland Tribune, January 4, 1906 (Thursday), Page 12, Column 6. Suburban News 
page.



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