Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-11-26
PASTOR OF ST. PATRIcK's cATHo-
LIc CHURCH succuMRs TO
HEART DISEASE.
A SHOCK TO COMMUNITY

Though Well Known Priest Had Been
In Poor Health for Some Months He
Was Thought to Be lmproving-At.
tended Social Event Shortly Before
His Death.
From Fridays Daily.
Rev. Father John O'Farrell. for the
past four years pastor of st. Patrick's
Catholic church, passed away this
morning at 3:45 o'clock at the paro-
chial residence on Church street.
Death was due to heart failure, re-
sulting from some stomach trouble,
with which he had been afflicted for
the past year.
| The sudden demise Of Rev. Father
| O'Farrell came as sad news to the peo.
| pie of this city, both Of the Catholic
and Protestant faiths, when learned
this morning. Wednesday evening he
delivered in a vigorous manner an ex.
cellent address to the members OF Di-
vision No. g. A. O. H., and only last
might he attended small spread given
by the same organization, returning to
his home about IL o'clock, apparently
in healthy state. This morning,
Catherine O'Farrell, was attracted to
his room by noise Entering she
found her brother lying on the floor,
having left his bed to call her.
Miss OFarrell Immediately called
Very Rev. F.. W.. Hoppman and DR.. j.
F. Herrick. Father O'Farrell breathed
his last at 3:45 o'clock
4 Born In 1s4e.
j Father O'Farrell was born April Is,
1886, in County Longford, Ireland. He
attended the schools there and in 1869
when he was but % years DID, he was
! ordained a Roman Catholic priest at
All Hallows college In Dublin, He
was Immediately sent to this country
and assumed his first charge In the
same year at st. Therese, near Du-
buque. He remained there seven
years and was then transferred to
Deep Greek in Clinton county. During
his three years at that place, he had
charge of the Maquoketa and Delmar
parishes. From Deep Creek. he was
transferred to Mt Pleasant, where he
remained three years. Brooklyn was
. his next charge. Victor, Grinnell and
= Searsboro were also under his charge
:. while passing nine years at Brooklyn.
= Iowa City was his next charge, h.ving
= been pastor of st. Patrick's church
. . there for seven years prior to coming
y to this city four years ago.
Father O'Farrell Is survived by
$ three sisters and one brother. They
are Mrs. Francis Grady, Of Longford.
!, Ireland; Mrs. John Barrett, Of New
IS York City, Miss Catherine O'Farrell,
e Of this city, and Francis O'Farrell, Of
If Longford, Ireland
., Was Pioneer Clergyman.
s. Rev. Father O'Farrel was a learned
student of his faith. close admirer
, Of all that Is good and very pious
% man. He has studied much and equip
II ped himself well for the work Of a
# Catholic priest. Since his ordination
= in 1869 and his subsequent removal
ID to this country, he has studied the peo-
~ pie thoroughly and has become one OF
n that great body Of patriotic Irish born
=, citizens who reside In this republic.
!. In every charge he held prior to com
- = ing to this city, he was loved by Cath,
:, olics and Protestants alike and In the
- few years he spent kere his many
- acquaintances include every man
=. identified with the business and
~ church circles of this city. He was
~ prominent in the celebration of holi
NJ days here, because Of his eloquence
-. and his brainy views. Since his resi-
dence here he was particularly inter
ested in the Ancient Order of HI
bernians, of which order he was chap
ok lain.
Popular In Iowa City.
During the seven years which h,
r. served in Iowa City, as pastor Of st
ne Patrick's church, Rev Father O'Far
g.. 81 rell became closely identified with th,
ed State University Of Iowa. He wa,
of great friend of the students and til,
on, faculty of the university. St. Bren
lg. dams hall in Iowa City, was erecte,
is by Rev. Father O'Farrell This strne
". ", ture is being used as school for boy
,,o ~ and it is equipped with a large hal
which is at the disposal of the stud
ents of the university. While in low
City, Father OFarrell very often CAV
~ lectures TO the students in this hal
a and 1t was used on numerous occs
sions to hold debates between differen
- societies of the university.
When the Right Rev. Henry Co.
grove, bishop of Davenport, transfe
red Rev. Father O'Farrell to thi
-E city, the faculty of the university ,afte
making a strong plea to the bishop
allow Father O'Farrell to remain
rendered him farewell banquet, {
which the testimonials of this believe
priest were remarkable. He was a
-. ways considered strong, intellectul
iie man by those in high authority at tt
iys university.
is Was to Dedicate Church.
of Upon next Sunday Rev Faith,
zen O'Farrell had arranged to dedicate S
RS Patrick's church. The ceremony hi
The been Indefinitely postponed AS y
ui1I ia,r rro tova hoo,, mo da o.