O'Farrell

Biography of John A. O’Farrell

John Andrew O’Farrell was born in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, on the 13th day of February 1823. He pursued his education in the common schools until his thirteenth year, and was then placed in a naval school where he remained for two years. He went to sea in the Oriental Steamship line when fifteen years of age, sailing from the East India dock on the Thames, London, England, to the city of Calcutta, Hindustan, East Indies. The return trip occupied seven months time and the vessel delivered and received mails and passengers at the isle of … Read more

O’Farrell, Margaret – Obituary

Mrs. Margaret O’Farrell, aged 56 years, died at one of the city hospitals last evening [March 7, 1904]. She had been a well-known resident of Orting, coming there from Australia with her husband 34 years ago. A husband and five sons and a daughter survive her. The cause of her death was cancer, from which she had been suffering for more than a year. The funeral arrangements are not yet complete. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

O’Farrell, Daniel – Obituary

Daniel O’Farrell, a resident of the State of Washington for the last 43 years, died Monday morning [March 2, 1914] at 4 o’clock in the Puyallup Hospital. He was 79 years old and was well known throughout the state. Mr. O’Farrell was born in Ireland. In 1870 he came to Washington, settling in the Puyallup valley at the junction of the Puyallup and Stuck rivers. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in the Puyallup Catholic Church. The body will be brought to Tacoma for interment in Tacoma Cemetery by the Spurr & Dunlap Company. Mr. O’Farrell … Read more

O’Farrell, Thomas E. – Obituary

Thomas E. O’Farrell, 77, of 4506 No. 27th St., died Sunday [November 16, 1952] in a local hospital. Born in Orting, he had lived in Pierce County all his life. A retired machinist for the Northern Pacific Railway, he was a member of the Catholic Church, the Washington State Pioneer Society and the 50-Year Club of Tacoma. He was formerly chief park ranger of Rainier National Park. Surviving are three sons, Howard, Tacoma; Allen, Everett, and James, Las Vegas, Nev.; a daughter Mrs. Ethel McNabb, Tacoma; a brother, James R. Orting; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be … Read more

O’Farrell, Owen E. – Obituary

Owen E. O’Farrell, 74, Rt. 13, Box 650, died at his home Sunday. O’Farrell, a grocer, had lived in Pierce County all his life, having been born at Orting. He was a member of the St. John of the Woods Church and the Clover Creek Grange. He is survived by his wife, Anna; daughter, Mrs. Leo Fanning, Tacoma; sister, Mrs. William Swain, Tacoma, and three grandchildren. Gaffney’s will announce arrangements. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

O’Farrell, James R. – Obituary

James R. O’Farrell, 80, a native of Orting and a former Pierce County commissioner, died Friday night [September 25, 1953] at his home in Orting. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert O’Farrell, were pioneers in area, taking up a 120-acre homestead in the Puyallup Valley in 1870. Mr. O’Farrell was the last of four sons of the pioneers. He married Lena Bruce of Tacoma in 1898 and they set up housekeeping in Orting. For many years he was active in community and political affairs. He served at various times as mayor, councilman and school director in Orting and from 1916 … Read more