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Rev. Obediah J. Farling – Church of God Minister Served Matamoras & County Almshouse
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 22, 2019
Obediah Johnson Farling was born in Millersburg, Dauphin County, on 19 April 1839, the son of Jacob Farling and Catherine [Christ] Farling. About 1868, he married Elizabeth A. Byers (1841-1924). There were no known children from the marriage. Following the Civil War, he became a minister of the Church of God. Obediah died on 14 August 1927, at Harrisburg.
His obituary, which appeared in the Harrisburg Evening News of 15 August 1927 only briefly mentioned his Civil War service and failed to mention his volunteer work at the Dauphin County Alms House:
Funeral services for the Rev. Obediah J. Farling, 89 years old, retired minister of the Church of God and a veteran of the Civil War, who died yesterday at his home, 1402 Regina Street, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock from the Penbrook Church of God. The Rev. Dr. C. H. Grove, the Rev. J. A. Detter, pastor of the Penbrook Church of God, and the Rev. J. C. Forncook, retired, of New Cumberland, will officiate. Burial will be in the East Harrisburg Cemetery.
The Rev. O. J. Farling was born in Millerstown [sic], and was for a number of years a resident in the vicinity of Linglestown. At the outbreak of the Civil War, hew enlisted, was captured and held for a while in Libby Prison. He began to preach shortly afterward, but was not ordained by the East Pennsylvania Eldership until 1883. He has served in charges in Chambersburg, York, Matamoras and East Steelton during the past fifty years.He has been retired for the past several years. Several nieces and nephews, of this city, survive him.
The obituary does not state how long Rev. Farling served in Matamoras. It should be noted though that he is not included in the list of Halifax Area Civil War Veterans that was published in the Halifax Bicentennial Book.
The Civil War record of Obediah J. Farling (sometimes referred to as Obadiah), is summarized on his Pension Index Card, shown above from Ancestry,com. From the regimental and company information available on the card, and from other records, his service was as follows:
- On 3 November 1862, he was drafted into Company C of the 177th Pennsylvania Infantry, as a Private. After serving the required 10 month term.
- On 4 February 1864, he was mustered into Company B of the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry, as a Private. It was probably during this service that he was taken as a prisoner as noted in the obituary (above). On 17 June 1865, this regiment was merged into the 1st Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry and on 13 July 1865, he was mustered out with his company.
- On 20 October 1879, as shown on the Pension Index Card, Obediah applied for a disability pension, which he was awarded and collected until his death in 1927.
More specific information about the military service of Obediah Farling would be found in his military records and pension application. These records are available from the National Archives and were not consulted for this blog post due to the expense of obtaining them. Of particular interest is whether the records confirm his imprisonment, including location, length of time, and condition of release.
Some information about his ministerial service was found in area newspapers (not in chronological order).
From the Altoona Tribune, 16 August 1927:
RETIRED MINISTER DIES
HARRISBURG, August 15 [1927] – (A.P.) – Rev. Obediah J. Farling, retired minister of the Church of God, and a Civil War veteran, died at his home here yesterday at the age of 88. He was ordained in 1883.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 23 December 1901:
Pastor Remembered
Rev. O. J. Farling, pastor of the Second Church of God, at Steelton, and who conducts religious services every other Sunday at the county almshouse, today received as a Christmas present from Poor Directors W. Scott Stroh, Isaac Hoffman and Joseph Early, and Steward Look, a good overcoat and a fine silk hat. Rev. Mr. Farling has been conducting services at the almshouse for the past several years and those in authority of the home appreciate his work.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 6 January 1908:
Presented With a Silk Hat
The Poor Directors and Clerk G. A. L. Row at the meeting held today presented Rev. O. J. Farling with a fine silk hat. Rev. Mr. Farling is pastor of the East Steelton Church of God, and with is work at that church conducts services every two weeks at the County Home.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, 14 May 1917:
The Rev. O. J. Farling 78 Years Old Next Saturday
The Rev. O. J. Farling, 1402 Regina Street, will celebrate next Saturday his 78th birthday anniversary. He was born in Millersburg, this county. He has been a minister of the Church of God for many years and has long been chaplain of the county home. He is a Civil War veteran, having served as 1st Lieutenant in Company B, First Provisional U.S. Army [sic].
January 23, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Byers of Cumberland County. On Saturday from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 9 p.m. they will be at home to their friends. It has been suggested that it would be an opportune time for the extending of congratulations to the aged couple as well as the presentation of some substantial gift.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, 9 May 1924:
Mrs. Elizabeth Farling, 82 Years Old, Dies
Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Farling, 82, wife of the Rev. Obediah J. Farling, 1402 Regina Street, who died at her home yesterday, will be held from the Penbrook Church of God Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial will be in the East Harrisburg Cemetery.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, 11 May 1927:
Celebrate Anniversary in Green Street Church
The fifty-eighth anniversary of the Green Street Church of God, Green and Calder Streets, pastor the Rev. E. F. Asper, will be celebrated today.
Special services at the church this evening will mark the celebration.
The church was founded on May 5, 1869, at 1317 Williams Street, the home of the Rev. O. J. Farling, by seven members. Two survive. They are the Rev. Mr. Farling and Mrs. Jones.
The public is invited to attend the celebration this evening.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 14 May 1917:
Birthday Anniversary of the Rev. O. J. Farling
The Rev. O. J. Farling of 1402 Regina Street, for many years a minister of the Church of God and chaplain of the County Home, will celebrate his seventy-eighth birthday on Saturday, May 19. He is a Civil War veteran having served as 1st Lieutenant of Company B, 1st Provisional U.S. Army [sic] and on January 23, 1869, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Byers of Cumberland County, so their golden anniversary is nearly here.
The Rev. and Mrs. Farling will be “at home” to their friends Saturday from2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. It has been suggested that a general visit from their friends at that time will be greatly appreciated and that accompanying the congratulations and good wished serviceable gifts or substantial donations will be in order.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 28 November 1917:
Tomorrow’s services at the East Steelton Church of God will be conducted by the pastor, Rev. O. J. Farling. He will preach in the morning at 10:30 o’clock and in the evening at 7:30. Sunday School and other services at usual hours.
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Some additional information is found at the Findagrave Memorial for Obediah J. Farling. The information includes his birthplace as Millersburg. In the obituary (above near top of post), his birthplace is given as Millerstown, which apparently is incorrect. The death certificate states that he was born in Millersburg (see below).
Additional information is sought on this Civil War veteran who became a minister of the Church of God. Of particular interest is a photograph of him taken later in life.
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The Civil War portrait is from a local history newsletter. News clippings are from Newspapers.com and from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The death certificate is from Ancestry.com.
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