JAMES O’MARA, of Madera, was born in Ireland, in September, 1847.  When he was seven years old his father departed this life and he lived with his mother until he was sixteen years old, when he started out in life, first going to Australia, and there connecting himself with the sheep industry, working upon small and large ranches, one company having owned 5000,000 sheep.  After six years in Australia he came to California, arriving in San Francisco in January, 1870.  He then followed ranching in Stanislaus County until 1876, and having accumulated a little money by economical living, he purchased 700 sheep in the fall of 1876, which were the nucleus of his later success.  In 1878 he moved his sheep to Fresno County, near Madera, purchased 700 more sheep, and remained in that part of the County.  With his knowledge of the business his sheep prospered and the band increased to 6,000 head, though at the present his is keeping but 3,000.  He thinks sheep raising for wool and mutton the best stock industry in the State, provided one has a practical knowledge of the business.  In 1887 be bought a block of land in Madera, including his neat cottage home.  

Since then he has built four cottages upon his block for renting, and made other important improvements, including the ground about his house, which is being laid out in a lawn, with a variety of shrubbery and trees.

Mr. O’Mara was married in San Francisco October 29, 1882, to Miss Sarah Conley, and they have three children, Maggie, James, and Sarah.  Mr. O’Mara is greatly pleased with California, both as to climate, soil and resources, and though he has been a hard working man he is now in the enjoyment of home and family.




Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern, California.  Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1891

Transcribed by Liz Brase 2006 ©).