Timothy O'Farrell

Timothy O'Farrell (1835 - 1915) was a mine manager in Ballarat. He later became publican at Berringa.

History

O'Farrell's obituary was printed in the newspapers in May 1915:

Obituary. MR TIMOTHY O'FARRELL. On Monday of last week death claimed Mr Timothy O'Farrell, who was widely known at Berringa as the proprietor of the local hotel. A few years ago he decided to live a retired life, and after leasing the hotel took up his residence in the metropolis. Although in advanced years he enjoyed good health until a few months ago, when complications set in that ended fatally as stated. The deceased was born in Togher, near County Cork, Ireland, in 1838. He was educated in the town of his birth, and in the year 1851 entered the ranks of the Phoenix boys, and was officially sworn in by the well-known O'Donovan Rossa in the barracks in the township (of) Skibbereen. In 1867 a Fenian Society was started in that town by the late Mr Jas. Stevens, the Irish rebel, and Mr O'Farrell's keen sense of liberty for the Irish people led him to join the Fenian Society, together with a number of other Phoenix boys. After a sensational period, the Phoenix boys were secured by the authorities, and Mr O'Farrell was one of those who secured their liberty. Mr O'Farrell's fine physique led to his selection as a member of the constabulary, and to proficiently did he undertake his duties that out of over 200 officers and men he was selected to occupy the position of drill instructor. In 1863 he resigned his position, and left for Australia, landing in Melbourne in the month of June, 1864, in the sailing ship "The Empire of Peace."

After a short stay in the metropolis, the gold fever at Ballarat attracted his attention. In this direction he was particularly fortunate, and was subsequently appointed manager of the Kohinoor for two years. In 1875 he went to Clunes, and took the Lothair mine on tribute, but without success. In 1877 he proceeded to the Western, district, and selected land near Penshurst, and gradually acquired a good area of country, including the reclamation of a 300-acre swamp, for which, two years afterwards, was offered and refused £22 an acre. "Berrydale" was also purchased, and this selection carried with it a good hotel and post-office. In 1885 he purchased the Criterion Hotel at Hamilton, afterwards leasing the property and living privately in Melbourne. In 1898, when Berringa came into prominence as a mining field, Mr O'Farrell purchased the Kangaroo Hotel, also taking an active interest in the development of the mines on the field, and paying as high as £7/- a month in calls. In 1905 he acquired the Albion Hotel at Horsham, for which he paid £3500. The late Mr O'Farrell married twice. His first wife was the daughter of Mr Jas. O'Grady, school teacher in the town of Tipperary; and his second wife was the daughter of Mr Francis Adderly, an English retired army officer. The remains of deceased were interred, in the Ballarat Old Cemetery, the funeral being of a private character. A grown-up family of one son and two daughters are left to mourn their loss, viz., Mr Thos. O'Farrell and Mrs Dumphy, of Melbourne, and Mrs Bert Wallace, of Nyang.

His sons Thomas and James were working as a barman at the Kangaroo Hotel in 1903. Thomas must have taken over the license of the Kangaroo in 1906 after Timothy bought the Albion Hotel, and James was sent there to manage the business.

Auctioneer's Report. Mr Chas. Mossman reports having sold the freehold of Mr J. B. Thomas' Albion Hotel. Horsham, together with furniture, effects and stock, at a highly satisfactory figure; Mr T. O'Farrell, of Melbourne, being the purchaser. The price given in this case affords a striking instance of the increase in value of hotel properties in Horsham, being just about double the amount paid three years ago. Mr O'Farrell took possession of the property on Tuesday last and business will be conducted by Mr Jas. O'Farrell, formerly proprietor of the Kangaroo Hotel, Berringa. Mr O'Farrell itends making extensive alterations to the property.

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