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- Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County, New Jersey
John A. Farrel
This gentleman, a manufacturer of paper boxes at Butler, was born in Hammersley street, now a part of West Houston, in the city of New York, in 1849. He lost his mother when only four years old, but continued to live with his father, who was a man of considerable intelligence, highly respected by those who knew him. His early youth was passed in much the same manner as that of other boys of that period, attending school in his early years. Wishing, however, to be independent, he left the school room for business life and at the age of fourteen years secured a position in a paper-box factory, where his fidelity to duty and application to the tasks assigned him won him constant promotion. After six years he was made manager of a box factory for a cable-cord manufacturer in Sixth avenue, New York. During this time, realizing the need of a better education, he attended the Cooper Institute and the New York Evening High School, in which institution he was graduated. In 1871 he accepted an offer of a position which came to him from New Haven, Connecticut, and remained in that state for seven years, spending three years in Waterbury. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Butler Hard Rubber Company as foreman of the box department, and served there until 1898, when he entered into the business of manufacturing paper boxes on his own account.
Mr. Farrel has taken a deep interest in the movements that tend to promote the education, social and material Welfare of the community. At the formation of the Butler school district he was appointed school trustee, and was afterward elected to that office, and has since played an important part in locating and building the present Butler school. While a resident of Connecticut Mr. Farrel became associated with several temperance organizations and soon drifted into the Prohibition party, where his enthusiasm caused him to receive their nomination for justice. He is now, however, a stanch Republican in his political views and is a recognized leader in the local ranks of his party, having served as a member of the county executive committee and several times as a member of the township executive committee. Socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is secretary of Silentia Lodge, F.&.A.M.
While connected with the Good Templars Society Mr. Farrel was first introduced to Miss Ella E. Bassett, a daughter of Lewis Allen Bassett, a veteran of the Civil war, and a member of an old Connecticut family, and on the 4th of July 1875, the young couple were married. Their union has been blessed with three children: Charlotte, Edna and Inez. In Butler the family have many warm friends. Mr. Farrel is rather reserved in manner, but his friendship once won is highly prized. He is a man of unswerving honesty, true to his convictions and in all life?s relations is esteemed for his genuine worth.
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Bassett Family Association Database
