Joseph W. Furey (1837 - 1909)

Born 28 Dec 1837 in Pleasant Gap, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Mary A. (McCulley) Furey — married 5 Sep 1866 in Milesburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA

Died 15 Mar 1909 at age 71 in Lock Haven, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA

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Biography

NEWS ITEM: Democratic Watchman: 26 Apr 1867

On the 5th of Sept. last in Milesburg by Rev. Joseph ADAMS, Mr. Joe W. FUREY, Editor of the Clinton Democrat, to Miss Mary McCULLEY. (Why the 6 month delay?)

OBITUARY: Democratic Watchman: 19 Mar 1909:

DEATH OF JOSEPH W. FUREY - It is with extreme regret that we are, this week, called upon to announce the death of that veteran newspaperman, Jopseph W. FUREY, which occurred at the home of his son-in-law, Edward B. O'REILLY, in Lock Haven, at 3 o'clock on Monday morning. For eighteen years or longer he has been an invalid, most of the time, almost helpless, and yet through all that period of time, he bore his affliction with Spartan-like resignation and was at all times the most cheerful one, outwardly, in the household. If his active mind and undaunted spirit ever chafed at the restrictions placed upon them by his physical disability, he bore it all in silence, always picturing his family and friends the infinite goodness of God in giving him life, full use of his mental faculties and a disposition to bear his burden uncomplainingly.

It was in 1890, while occupying the position of editor of "The Democrat", Lock Haven, that he suffered a severe attack of erysipelas. This disease was followed by a nervous prostration, which resulted in total paralysis of the legs. From that time on, he was confined to the house and most of the time to his bed, and only on a few occasions, did he have the pleasure of enjoying the pure outdoor air and sunshine, and that by being carried from his bed to an automobile for a ride out into the country. Early in November his health began to decline and from that time on he sank gradually until his death, general debility being the direct cause. During the past two months or more, his mental facilities degenerated with the weakening condition of his body, and for a week or two, it was known that his death was only a question of days.

Mr. FUREY came of old-time Centre County stock, having been born in Pleasant Gap, December 28, 1837, hence was seventy-one years old on that fatal day. His parents were Wiliam and Rachel WILLIAMS_FUREY, well remembered by a few of the oldest inhabitants hereabouts. His boyhood days were spent at home of his birth, where early education was received in the public schools. Later, he took a course in the Bellefonte Academy, then in charge of Rev. Alfred ARMSTRONG. Completing his course in that institution, he went to the Jersey Shore as an apprentice to learn the printing trade with Robert BAKER. Late in the year 1839 he, with the son of Mr. BAKER, went to Decatur, Alabama. where they engaged in printing a newspaper. About the time they got their business rightly launched on a paying basis, The Civil War broke out and the southern States seceded, the young men gave up their venture and came north. Mr. FUREY secured employment in the government printing office at Washington, where he worked for a short time, then came to Bellefonte and engaged in newspaper work, being associated with the late C. T. ALEXANDER, in the publication of "The Watchman" from December 1861 to May 1862, and with the present editor in the publication from February 1886 to January 1867.

In 1867, he, with his cousin, W. P. (Wiliam Potter) FUREY, purchased the plant of the "Clinton Democrat", in Lock Haven, from John H. ORTH, and became editors and proprietors of the same. Mr. FUREY remained there only a few months, when he withdrew from the firm and came to Bellefonte as associate editor of "The Democratic Watchman", a position he held for twenty-one years, or until 1888, when he resigned to accept the position of editor of the Lock Haven "Daily Democrat".

It was Mr. FUREY's work on The Watchman that brought him into prominence as a newspaper writer all over the country. He was not only possessed of special attributes in collecting the news, but had a peculiarly original style of writing all his own, which made anything that fell from his pen of a most readable character. There were always veins of humor and satire running through his writings, that could either flatter or be very cutting, as the occasion warranted. He was possessed of fertile mind and ever-ready vocabulary and many of his editorials were widely copied and freely commented upon. His pen was just as facile in the writing of verse as it was in chronicling local happenings, or commenting upon government affairs, and during his connection with this paper, they were published quite a number of poetic gems of which he was the author. Even during his long illness, he spent part of his time in indicting verse and those with all his former poetic effusions, were gathered together by his son-in-law, E. B. O'REILLY, and published in one volume as a present to the celebrated writer last Christmas.

In politics, Mr. FUREY was a Democrat, stauch and uncompromising, and his work for his party was at all times faithful as his writings were strenuous. For a number of years past, he had been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and it was, no doubt, his great faith in the divine teachings of the gospel that enabled him to live the cheerful and sunshiny life he did during the past eighteen years.

Mr. FUREY was united in marriage to Miss McCOLLOUGH, of Bellefonte. Four children were the result of this union, namely: Lewis, of New York City; Max, who was killed a number of years ago in a railroad accident; Mrs. W. J. MITCHELL, of Ithaca, N.Y. and Mrs. E. B. O'REILLY, of Lock Haven. Mrs. FUREY also survives as well as one sister, Mrs. Georgiana DALE, wife of Cornelius DALE, of Lemont.

Funeral services were conducted at the house at two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, by Rev. John A. McSPORRAN, after which private internment was made in the Highland Cemetery in Lock Haven.

Sources

• 1. Richard HUGHES, FUREY Genealogy

1880 Federal Census: Age 40

Marriage: Nancy Lee STOVER, "Marriages 1851-1873 Centre County, Pennsylvania (Apollo, Pennsylvania) CLOSSEN Press, 1990, Page 95