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Peter Farrell (1857-1932) (ref: tombstone)

    Patrick Henry Farrell and Peter H. Farrell were twin brothers. They were sons of John and Ann (Dunn) Farrel. They were born 13 March 1855 in Dushore, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Dushore is 3.8 miles north of Cherry Township where John and Ann lived all their lives. Even today there's not a paved road that goes to Cherry Township. Perhaps the boys were born in Dushore because Ann was having trouble pushing the twins out and they went to Dushore because there was a doctor or midwife there. In 1855 backwoods Pennsylvania they would have gone to Dushore by horse and buggy and it would have taken an hour or more if the roads and weather were favorable. Walking would have taken about the same amount of time, but if Ann had been having a difficult delivery of twins, then there's no way John and she would have undertaken the three mile journey on foot. But, it turned out OK. The boys were born alive and healthy.

    The 1860 US Federal Census for Cherry Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, enumerated the 3rd day of July 1860 by James Dume, has a record of the John and Ann Farrell household. John K. Farrell was a 34 year old, white, male, farming to make a living for his family. He was born about 1826 in Ireland. Ann Farrell was a white, female, 35 years of age, born about 1825 in Ireland. James Farrell was a twelve year old male. Margret Farrell was a ten year old female. Mary Farrell was a eight year old female. John Farrell was a six year old male. Peter Farrell was a four year old male. Patrick Farrell was a four year old male. Thomas Farrell was a four year old male. All the children were born in Pennsylvania.

    The 1870 US Federal Census for Cherry Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, enumerated the 10th day of June 1870 by T. A. Dent, has a record of the John and Ann Farrel family. John K. Farrel was a 45 year old, white, male, farmer, born about 1826 in Ireland. Ann Farrell was a white, female, keeping house for the family. While the census take wrote down that she was 54 years of age, she was only 45. Perhaps there was some dyslexia there on someones part. Ann Farrel was born in Ireland. James Farrel was a 22 year old male. Margaret Farrel was a twenty year old female. Mary Farrel was a seventeen year old female. John Farrel was a sixteen year old male. Peter Farrel was a fourteen year old male. Patrick Farrel was a fourteen year old male. Thomas was a twelve year old male. Annie Farrel was an eight year old female. William Farrel was a six year old male. Kate Farrel was a four year old female. All the children were born in Pennsylvania.

Based on information from the 1910 United States Federal Census
    Peter H Farrell, a 55-year-old white male, resided in Galeton Ward 2, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1910. Born in Pennsylvania in 1855, Peter was the head of the household, living on Prospect Avenue. He was married to Myrtle G Farrell, who was 43 years old at the time. Peter and Myrtle had been married for 27 years.
    Peter worked as an engineer in the locomotive industry, earning a wage. He was a skilled worker, able to read and write in English. Despite his occupation, Peter had been fortunate enough to remain employed and had not experienced any periods of unemployment.
    The Farrell family consisted of five members. In addition to Peter and Myrtle, they had three daughters. Minnie Farrell, the eldest daughter, was 21 years old. Ada Farrell, the second daughter, was 19 years old, and Ethel Farrell, the youngest daughter, was 16 years old.
    Living on Prospect Avenue, the Farrell family was likely part of a community of working-class individuals in Galeton. The details provided paint a picture of a stable and hardworking family, with Peter's occupation as an engineer providing a comfortable living for his wife and daughters.

    To be an engineer of a train Peter must have worked for the railroad for a long time. He must have started off working in any of several jobs in the shops where the trains were maintained. His next job might have been the locomotive fireman which provides the final training for the job of locomotive engineer. He had to learn about how the locomotive and cars work, the signals and rules, and what to do if anything goes wrong. After a period of time serving as fireman, a knowledgeable, physically fit, attentive, punctual, motivated man could expect to become an engineer. Sitting on the right side of the cab the engineer is responsible for making sure the train operates safely and within the rules. He and the fireman depend on each other to alert to any problems or oversights. If done right, they operate as a smoothly functioning team.
    Critical to the safe functioning of the railroad was the standard railroad watch. Railroad-approved watches needed to tell time plus or minus 4 seconds a day. Before starting a trip, railroaders had to check their watches with the standard clocks located at dispatching offices. Then, the engineer, fireman, and conductor compared times on their watches during the course of the trip.

Based on information from the 1920 United States Federal Census
    Peter H Farrell, a 64-year-old white male, was born in Pennsylvania around 1856. In 1920, he resided on First St, House Number 41, in Galeton Ward 2, Potter, Pennsylvania. Peter was the head of the household, and he was married to Murtle G Farrell, who was 52 years old. Peter's occupation was in labor, specifically in a repair shop, where he worked as a wage or salary employee. The family owned their home, although it was mortgaged. Peter was able to read and write, and he spoke English fluently.
    Living with Peter and Murtle were their two daughters, Carrie Farrell (34 years old) and Katie Farrell (30 years old). Carrie was married to Bern H Noles, who was 30 years old, and they had two sons together. The first grandson, Russeel Noles, was 5 years old, and the second grandson, Galen Noles, was 4 years old. Also residing in the household was Etheal Noles, who was 26 years old.
    The Farrell family's diverse heritage was evident through Peter's father's birthplace in Ireland and his mother's birthplace in Scotland. The household consisted of eight members in total.

Based on information from the 1930 United States Federal Census
    Peter Farrell, a white male born around 1856 in Pennsylvania, was the head of a household in Galeton, Potter, Pennsylvania in 1930. At the age of 74, he resided on First Street in the 2nd ward of the city, specifically at house number 41. Peter owned his home, which was valued at $1200. Although he did not have a radio set, he did not live on a farm. Peter had been married since the age of 27 and was able to read and write. His father and mother were both born in Ireland, but Peter was able to speak English fluently. He worked as a laborer in a furniture factory, employed as a wage or salary worker. Living with him were his wife, Myrtle Farrell, aged 62, and their daughter, Catherine Farrell, aged 39.

    In 1930, at 74 years of age, Peter was still working. He worked as a laborer in a furniture factory. In most countries the Great Depression started in 1930 and lasted until the late 1930s or middle 1940s. It was the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. The depression originated in the U.S., after the fall in stock prices that began around September 4, 1929, and became worldwide news with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday). Unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25%, and in some countries rose as high as 33%. On April 18, the BBC Radio Service from London, somewhat infamously, reports on this day that "There is no news". In 1925 10 percent of households had radios. Five years later, it was still unusual enough to have a radio in the home that it was a question on the decennial US Federal Census. According to the 1930 Census 40.3% of households had a radio. Peter's house was not one of those with a radio.

PETER H. FARRELL
    Galeton--Peter H. Farrell died at his home Friday, Mar. 11, 1932. Mr. Farrell was born at Dushore, Pa., in 1857, and had been a resident of galeton 29 years. He married Miss Myrtle Stephens of Coudersport in 1882. He is survived by his widow and three daughters, Mrs. Minnie Seeley of Painted Post, Mrs. Ethel Knowles of this place and Miss Kate Farrell at home; a twin brother, Patrick H. Farrell of Dents Run, and four grandchildren.
    The funeral was held at the home Monday at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. M. L. Lowe officiating. Burial was in West Hill Cemetery.
[Elmira Star-Gazette (Elmira, New York) 19 Mar 1932, Sat, Page 11]

    The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certificate of Death for Peter H. Farrell indicates he died in Galeton, Potter County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1932. The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage - sudden death, contributed to by arteriosclerosis, but there was no autopsy to confirm these diagnoses. The certificate was signed by G. A. Meilde, Coroner, M.D. on 3/12/1932 in Galeton, Pa. Peter was buried in Galeton, Pennsylvania, 14 Mar 1932.
    Peter was a male, white, and was married to Molley. He was born Mar. 13, 1856 in Dushore, Pennsylvania, and so was 75 years, 11 months and 27 days of age at the time of his death. His occupation was engineer and he was retired. His father was John Farrell of Ireland. His mother's name and nativity was not noted. The informant providing information about Peter was Mrs. P. H. Farrell of Galeton, Pennsylvania.

Aged Mrs. Farrell
Resident of Galeton Nearly Fifty Years Dies at Home.
    Mrs. Myrtle Grace Farrell, 84, of Galeton, highly respected resident for nearly fifty years, died at her home at 4:35 p. m. Wednesday, March 4, 1953, after a long illness, the past six months of which she had been confined to her bed.
    She was born at Coudersport, May 9, 1868, a daughter of the Rev. Franklin and Sallie Ann Horde Stephens. Her father, a Methodist minister, died when she was 12.
    In 1883, she was united in marriage to Peter H. Farrell and they made their first home in Coudersport, later residing at Cross Fork for a time before locating in Galeton in the fall of 1903. Five daughters were born to the Farrells, of whom three, Vera, Carrie and Mrs. Ethel Knowles, are deceased. Mr. Farrell died 21 years ago.
    For many years, Mrs. Farrell was unable to leave her home, but took a keen enjoyment in the visits of relatives, neighbors and friends, who were benefited and influenced by her Christian life. She lived her religious professions day by day with a graciousness of manner and innate goodness of heart and soul as outstanding characteristics. A kind and loving mother and grandmother, she will be greatly missed.
    Mrs. Farrell was a member of the Methodist Church. She had never become interested in lodges or other organizations as her time and interest were in her home and family.
    Surviving are two daughters, Miss Kate Farrell, at home, and Mrs. Benjamin Seeley, Painted Post, N. Y.; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren and several nieces.
    Funeral services were held at the family home at 2:30 p. m. Saturday, with the Rev. Howard Duell, pastor of the Galeton Baptist Church and the Rev. Mrs. Mabel B. Johnson, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was made in West Hill Cemetery. Pall bearers were Carl C. Crippen, Merle Bliss, John Parker, Silas D. Mattison, Theodore Mauz and Dauglas Vaughan.
[The Potter Enterprise (Coudersport, Pennsylvania) 12 Mar 1953, Thu, Page 4]

    Mrs. Myrtle Stephens Farrell, 84, of 41 First St., Galeton, Pa., widow of Peter H. Farrell. Wednesday, Mar. 4, 1953. Mrs. Farrell was a member of the Galeton Methodist Church. Survived by daughters, Miss Kate Farrell at home and Mrs. Benjamin Seeley of Painted Post; four grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren. The body is at the family home where the funeral will be held Saturday at 2:30 p. m. The Rev. Mrs. Mabel B. Johnson and the Rev. Howard Duell. West Hill Cemetery, Galeton.
[Elmira Advertiser (Elmira, New York) 06 Mar 1953, Fri, Page 10]