OBIT: John FARRELL, Sr., 1886, Tyrone, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller
<shabodeho@aol.com> 

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE
 
  John Farrell, Sr., died at his residence on north Logan street, 
shortly after 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon, last, December 31, 1886, 
in the seventy-third year of his age.  He had been afflicted with 
Bright's disease for some time, and for a short while had been confined 
to his bed, but was getting better and again able to be around the 
house, when he received an order to reduce his force of hands in the 
floating gang, which in his weakened condition was too much for his 
tender heart to bear, and according to the testimony of his family 
physician, the shock thus given, was the immediate cause of his death.  
  Mr. Farrell was born in county Langford, Ireland, in the year 1813, 
and came to this country about the year 1827.  He lived in New York 
about three years and then moved to Johnstown, where he was engaged on 
the old Portage road for a short time, when he entered the employ of 
David Leech, at the same place, and was engaged in some capacity in the 
canal business.  This service lasted until the great Pennsylvania 
Central railway was projected when he entered the employ of that 
company, and struck the first pick in the work that opened up the 
Western Division of that now great thoroughfare.  It did not take long 
for his great worth to show itself, and he was soon placed in charge as 
boss of the men in the construction of two sections of that portion of 
the road-bed lying west of the Allegheny mountain.
  The main line being completed, he left Johnstown and came to Tyrone 
twenty-five years ago, and was followed a year later by his wife and 
family, and here their home has been ever since.  On coming to Tyrone, 
he was at once placed in charge of all the trackmen on Tyrone Division 
of the P.R.R., and held this position at the time of his death, his 
title being Foreman of the Floating Gang, Tyrone Division, P.R.R.  He 
built the first tool house on the division, and superintended all the 
grading of Tyrone yard, as well as much other work of great importance 
in his department. 
  To many hearts in Tyrone the news of the death of John Farrell, Sr., 
was sad news indeed.  Wherever he was known, he was loved and esteemed 
for the many rare virtues which he possessed.  Kind of heart, full of 
unostentatious charity, even of temper, and with words of cheer for 
all, he was in very truth to many the personification of all that is 
good and noble here below. 
  His aged wife; and seven children, Michael, John, Robert, Maggie, 
Mary, Richard and Louie survive him and mourn the loss of an 
affectionate husband and father, while Annie, another daughter, went 
before him into the spirit world about six years ago.  One brother, 
Richard, lives in New York.  It is possible that he has some relatives 
still living in Ireland, but of these nothing is surely known.
  He was twice honored by the people by being elected to serve as a 
member of Borough Council, and also served on the Tyrone School Board.
  Being a member of the Relief Department of the Pennsylvania railroad, 
his heirs will be entitled to and receive from that source $1000.
  Mr. Farrell was a man of fine social qualities, an upright and useful 
citizen, and a consistent, faithful member of the Catholic church.
  The funeral took place Monday morning at nine o'clock, a solemn high 
mass being celebrated in the Catholic chapel, the pastor, Rev. J. C. 
Farran, officiating after which the body was conveyed to the Catholic 
cemetery and laid to rest.

Tyrone Herald, Tyrone, Pa., January 6, 1887