TIERNAN, Farrell

Arizona Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, March 3, 1909, page 3 Aged Son Of Erin Greets Immortal Sunlight Farrell Tiernan Veteran And Pioneer Joins Majority Ancient Hibernian Leaves Romantic History Of Valorous Life (From Thursday's Daily) Farrell Tiernan is dead. He succumbed to general debility and old age at his home in East Prescott yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. He was 72 years old and a native of Roscommon county, Ireland. Although he had been failing in health since the death of his only son, Joseph Tiernan four and a half years ago, he did not retire from work until six weeks ago. He realized that his earthly career was nearing the end and enjoyed his senses until the last. His last request yesterday morning was that his remains be interred at the right side of his son, Joseph, in the Citizens's cemetery. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock under the direction of the Ruffner undertaking establishment, from the Catholic church. Surviving he leaves his wife and granddaughter, Miss Kate Tiernan, and sister, Mrs. Patrick Haley of New York. Mrs. Haley and her husband arrived here five weeks ago from New York. They and his other relatives were here at his bedside when the end came. Mr. Tiernan was among the early pioneers of this territory. From early manhood until he settled in this city his career had been one of adventures worthy of the pen of a Charles Lever. Reaching man's estate in his native land he was united in marriage with the now sorrowing wife who survives him. Two children, Kate and Patrick, were awarded to them, both dying at an early age. He immigrated to the United States and 1862, when the country within in the throes of the civil war. After a short stay in New York he came to San Francisco, where he espoused the cause of the union and enlisted in the 14th infantry. He shared in the fortunes of the command of his regiment in California, Fort McDowell, Wyoming, Washington territory, coming to Tucson in 1866. When Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1869 he was a member of the first command of United States troops that was sent there. While there one of the humorous events of his career, which he often times related in after life, occurred. He was an orderly for Capt. Baker of his company. The captain ordered him to procure firewood. Private Tiernan left the camp, presumably in search of dry wood, and feeling to find any, joined a party of placer miners returning to the interior. He spent several months mining, returning with his companions to the military can to secure another supply of provisions. Nearing camp he realized that his arrest for desertion would follow his appearance. With his usual resource under trying circumstances, he loaded himself with dry wood and appearing in headquarters, saluted the captain and told him at the same time that he had obeyed orders by securing a supply of dry wood. He was arrested, thrown in the guardhouse and courtmartialed. A verdict of guilty of desertion followed. The proceedings were reviewed later by the Secretary of War, who reversed the decision of the military court and ordered orderly Tiernan restored to his rank with full pay. Tiernan returned later with his command to Tucson where his son Joseph, now deceased, was born. He was honorably discharged at Fort Whipple in the early 70s, after serving with distinction in the Indian campaigns under Gen. Crook. He engaged in the dairy and stock business here, which flourished with the growth of the city. He disposed of his interest two years ago and retired from active business. Brave, generous almost to a fault, and possessed of an original and keen sense of humor, his friends were legion. His death is deeply regretted by all who enjoyed his acquaintance. It has been truly said of him that he was never known to wrong his fellow man or turned a deaf ear to distress.