John O'Farrell 1845-1917

OFARRELL, SPAIN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

16 April 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

Petersville, Ia., April 16--The death of Mr. John O'Farrell, an old resident of this place, occurred Saturday evening at 10:30, after a lingering illness. The funeral will take place Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock at Immaculate conception church, Petersville.

20 April 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 5

Petersville, Ia. April 20--The death of Mr. John O'Farrel an old and respected resident of this vicinity, occurred Saturday night at 10:30 o'clock. His death was caused from kidney affection, following an operation at Mercy hospital about three months ago. He seemed to rally for a while after the operation, and was brought to his home a month ago, but the disease had weakened his system and in spite of the best medical treatment and careful nursing, his death occurred at the hour stated, fortified by the last sacrament of the Catholic church, of which he was a staunch and pious member.

The deceased was born in Bally James Duff, County Cavin, Ireland, in 1845. He came to America about 25 years ago, first settling at Castle Grove, and later at Petersville, then known as Quigley. He made his home with the late Rev. Peter O'Dowd. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Kate Spain, widow of William Spain, in 1897, and resided on a farm one and one-half miles south of Petersville, moving to the Quigley homestead about seven years ago.

One child, Patrick, died in 1894 at the age of 5 years. The wife and her two sons, Joseph and Edward Spain; a daughter, Mrs. Daniel Spain and a sister in Ireland are the immediate relatives left to mourn. The deceased was a kind husband and father, a staunch friend, and will be missed not only by his wife and household, but by his numerous friends for whom he always had a smile and glad welcome. He was a devout member of the Immaculate Conception church and a man of the strictest integrity; a gentleman of good mind, domestic in his tastes, not avaricious, but frugal in his habits, and generous to a fault.

The funeral occurred Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. A host of friends gathered at the house to pay a last respect to the dead and sympathy to the living. The Knights of Columbus, of which he was a good member of St. Edward's council, Clinton, marched in a body to the church, where a solemn mass of requiem was sung. Rev. James Ryan of Welton was celebrant, Rev. Thomas O'Dowd of Charlotte, was deacon, Rev. John Leen of Fillmore was sub-deacon, and the pastor, Rev. D. J. Ryan, was master of ceremonies. Rev. James Ryan delivered the funeral sermon, which was a beautiful eulogy of the life of the deceased. He traced his early life from his birth in Ireland and said he had the pleasure of visiting at his home on the occasion of his last trip to Ireland a few years ago. He dwelt on his good Christian life and his many fine traits of character. The veneration he had for his mother church and the clergy and all the beautiful ceremonies connected therewith. He said he was truly an "Irish gentleman."

St. Mary's choir rendered the requiem mass with Miss Mabel Costello at the organ. During the mass "Thy Will Be Done' was effectively sang by the choir. The remains were tenderly laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. The pallbearers were A. J. Mallon, John O'Mears, Edward Welsh, Richard Hughes, James Dunlavy, William Cleary. Twenty members of St. Edwards' council Clinton, came out Sunday evening to pay their last respects to the brother Knight.