Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1926-03-11
CIVIL WAR VETERAN AND 81
WE'LL KNOWN CITIZEN DIES

Friday morning, March S. nj
about 10 O'Clock, the earthly ex.
istence of Mr.. j. b. Farra Of this
place ended. Death followed an Ill
ness of a couple Of months. and for
several weeks prior to his death his
condition was critical Death was
due to a general breaking down and
complication OF troubles. Up until
his last illness he had enjoyed splen-
did health.
John Bozman Farra was born Oct
25, 1841, on a farm in Meigsville
township, this county. His parents
were the late William and Frances
Bozman Farra. He was the sixth in
a family of eight children, now all
deceased. He was three times mar
ried. His first marriage was to
Miss Barbara Deyol, in the year
1864. They went to housekeeping
on farm in Morgan township,-the
same farm on which Mr.. Farra re-
sided until he moved to McConnels-
vile. 10 years ago. BY the first mar
riage two children were born: Flor
ence, wife of Arthur Merchant, and
William Ezekiel, both of whom are
deceased, the former dying in the
year 1897, the latter in 1912 Fol
lowing the death OF his wife Mr..
Farra was married to Olive Walter
whose death occurred in 1898. They
were the parents of three children:
Mrs. Stella Durbin of this place; Mr..
John Walter Farra of GAINESVILLE,
and Mrs. Bernice Shaw of Jefferson,
O. His third marriage was to Miss
Annie Whipple, who survives. He
also leaves six grandchildren: Mrs.
Mabel Smith of Cleveland: Mrs. Ha-
eel Walsh, St. Petersburg, Fla; Miss
Beulah Merchant, Syracuse, ". Y:
Robert A. Durbin of Stockport, and
Miss Margaret Durbin and John
VIM. Durtin of McConnelsville;
and four great grandchildren.
John B. Farra served his country
in the Civil war, in Co. B, 62nd o.
V. l., from 1861 to 1865. AT the
age of "a years he joined the Meth
odist Episcopal church at Wesley
Chapel, under the pastorate of the
late Rev. j. l. A. Miller, and remain
ed an active member of that congre-
cation until his death. He was most
devoted TO his church, taking an ac-
tive part, having held all the offices
in his local church; also served sew
eral terms as district steward, and
was delegate to the lay electoral
conference several times
In the year 1864 he joined Valley
lodge l. 0. o. F., where he faithful
ly attended during the remainder of
his life. At the time of his death
he was the oldest member in point
of original membership, in that
lodge. He always took an active in
terested part. He was also a member
of Morgan grange, and of Phil Fl.
Sheridan Post, G.. A. R., in both of
which he showed a keen interest.
He held the highest office in these
organizations, and was a splendid
presiding officer.
Mr.. F'arra was a man with a
friendly, sunny disposition, who
readily made friends. While he
was always pleased to make new ac-
quaintances, if any difference he
liked his old friends best. He dear
ly loved the companionship of his
friends. During his last illness he
retained his mental faculties with
all clearness, and knowing that he
was on his death bed, he asked to
see all his friends in the vicinity of
the Wesley Chapel church, where he
had spent so much of his life. His
request was granted, and their COM
ing to see him did him a world of
good. To the writer a few days be-
fore his death, he stated that he low
ed everybody; that his closing days
were made happy and comfortable
by the tender'care given him by the
members of his family; that while
he had enjoyed life he was ready to
go. The fact that he knew he was
soon to cross the dark river, had no
fear for him, the same abiding faith
that had been his during his long
life, sustaining him in the hour of
death.
For many years while residing on
his farm, he wrote regularly for the
Morgan County Democrat, as cor
from Harmony Hill,
and even after leaving that locality,
he still kept in such close touch,
that he continued to write oc-
from that community.
His friendly, sociable characteristics
were always reflected in his writ
lngs. During the many years he
never did he write a
line that could in any manner be
contrued to slam or injure anyone
He was man who keenly enjoyed
good. wholesome humor. His friend
ly, happy, sociabIe greetings will be
missed by his wide circle of near
friends and acquaintances-he hav-
ing at the time of his death perhaps
as wide an acquaintance as any man
IF the county
Several years ago he made his fu-
neral arrangements, and his request
was that the pastor of Wesley Chap
Il conduct his funeral, and that
Mrs. Walter Barkhurst of that
church sing his favorite hymn-"Je-
'us Lover of My Soul" The pail
bearers as he selected them should
De two from the Chapel church. two
rom the G. A. r., and two from
Valley lodge 1. O. o. F. His re-
luest could be but partly complied
with. Mrs. Barkhurst was ill and
could not sing, and the G.. A. r.