Farrell

(from Beers)

William Farrell (1821–1868) was in his teens when he came to Canada with his parents. He worked with them on their property in Plympton Twp. along what later became the Egremont Road, before starting out for himself. In about 1850 William bought 100 acres of bush land on Lot 10, Con. 7 NER, Warwick Twp. Here he built a log house and made a home for himself.

At this time the roads to Sarnia were swampy trails. To keep his family he was forced to trek to Sarnia though the bush and swamp to purchase flour and any other necessities and carry them on his back, a distance of 30 miles. His wife, Bridget (Whitely) Farrell (1830–1884), bore him nine children: James, Mary, William Jr., Edward, Samuel (m. Mary Malley), John, Annie, Ellie (m. Cornelius Malley) and Sarah Jane. She worked hard to raise and educate all of them after her husband’s death. While still in middle life William Sr. had to give up work, suffering from cancer for two years.

John Farrell, sixth child of William and Bridget Farrell, was born in Warwick Twp. in the log house his father had built on Lot 10. He was but a boy when he lost his father and enjoyed limited educational opportunities at SS#14 Con. 6 NER. From an early age he worked on the home farm with his brothers and sisters, helping to care for his widowed mother.

In 1889 John took up life insurance, starting as agent for Manufacturer’s Life. In 1890 he began working for Federal Life of Hamilton, where after five years he attained the post of District Agent responsible for western Ontario. John Farrell became one of the best known insurance men in western Ontario. Residing on the old homestead, he also farmed 200 acres of the best land in the county, after having, in 1875, added 100 acres to those originally purchased by his father. In 1905 he built a new residence to replace the little log house

A staunch Conservative and proud Irishman, John was a powerful political campaigner. He served as a trustee on the SS#14 school board for eight years. It was during his term a new brick school house was built. He was also involved in agricultural societies, serving as Director of the Union Agricultural Society of Forest, President of the East Lambton Agricultural Society, Director of the Western District Fair Association and, in 1904, Director of the Provincial Fair Association. His voice was heard in little log schools, churches and assembly halls across the province, addressing thousands of people on different subjects.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Farrell Family

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