Dr. A.M. Farrell Dies In Hongkong
Word Received Of Death While On World Tour
Believed Victim of Heart Ailment; Was Widely Known as Surgeon and Civic Leader;
Sister Enroute Home With Body
Word was received in Two Rivers this morning of the death of Dr. A.M. Farrell,
former president of the city council and nationally-known surgeon, at Hongkong,
China. Dr. Farrell was on a world cruise in the company of his sister, Miss
Estelle Farrell.
Details are lacking. Only fragmentary details of the circumstances are available
in the two cablegrams received by Dr. A.P. Zlatnik, Dr. Farrell’s partner. One
received January 17, via San Francisco, but with the point of origin not given
said only “turning homeward.” The other received this morning, contained the news
that Dr. Farrell had died in Hongkong, and that Miss Farrell was returning with
his body on the liner "President", which is due in San Francisco February 8.
Miss Farrell’s message said that she would reach Two Rivers with her brother’s
body February 9.
Dr. Zlatnik believed from the message that Dr. Farrell was stricken suddenly
about the time of the first cable from Miss Farrell, and died between its date,
January 17, and the day the President left Hongkong, January 20.
Death was probably due to a heart ailment which had made terminal of Dr. Farrell’s
health for some time past, Dr. Zlatnik assumed. He had suffered several severe
attacks in the past year and had been urged by his associates to drop his practice.
It was in response to this insistence of his aides that he should take a rest that
Dr. Farrell finally consented to take the world cruise. Previous reports after
Dr. Farrell and his sister left Two Rivers were encouraging as to his health and no
fear had been entertained until the message that the cruise had been abandoned.
Dr. Farrell was one of the best known surgeons and medical men in Wisconsin,
although his practice was mainly confined to this city and Manitowoc. A fellow of
the American College of Surgeons since 1919, (illegible) men in his
profession not only in this state, but throughout the country. It was as a surgeon
of unusual diagnostic ability and remarkable skill that he was professionally known.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society
and the Manitowoc Medical Society.
Came here in 1899.
Dr. Farrell was intimately connected with the public affairs of Two Rivers for more
than a quarter of a century. He came to this city as a fledging physician, just out
of medical school, in 1899, and “hung up his shingle” in a suite of rooms he
occupied with Dr. Jos. Eggers, dentist, over the present Jansky Funeral Home. His
practice grew rapidly, and few doctors of this period had a more complete success
in their work. He was interested in the younger members of his profession, and a
half dozen or more of the well known medical men of this city and Manitowoc were
introduced to the practice as Dr. Farrell’s assistant.
Greatly interested in the political and material affairs of Two Rivers, Dr. Farrell
was always active in civic undertakings. He was one of the leaders in the movement
to adopt the city manager form of government, and was one of the first council
elected under that regime. He remained in the city council until a year ago, and
in the last two years of his service was the president of the council.
In addition to this, Dr. Farrell was a member of the Municipal Hospital Board from
the time it was organized. He was on the staff of the Two Rivers Hospital and of
the Holy Family Hospital at Manitowoc.
Served at Camp Riply.
Upon the entrance of the United States into the world war Dr. Farrell promptly
offered his services and was commissioned a major in the medical corps. He served
during the war as the chief surgeon at Fort Riley, Kansas. Returning to private
life he accepted a commission as lieutenant colonel in the medical reserve. Dr.
Farrell was a charter member of the Robert E. Burns post of the American Legion.
Dr. Farrell was a keen businessman as well as adept in his profession. His holdings
covered a wide range – he was active in banking, public utility corporations and
was president of the Schmitt Lumber Company. His knowledge and council in business
matters was much sought.
Dr. Farrell was born on a farm near Fort Dodge, Iowa, August 6, 1876. His mother
was left a widow when he was only 14 years old, and for some years he operated the
farm, while obtaining his education in the near-by schools. Without funds, he
worked his way through the University of Iowa, and graduated with the class of
1898 from the university medical school. He practiced only a short time in Iowa,
and then came to Two Rivers in 1899, at the age of 21.
Widely traveled and a student of literature as well as of his professional science,
Dr. Farrell was thoroughly modern in his medical equipment. His personality and
professional enthusiasm were famous throughout the state. To the last months of
his practice he insisted upon taking night calls in all sorts of weather, and
would drive as much as 50 miles to respond to a summons from some patient. He gave
little time to social activities, but spared himself no pains or hours as a doctor.
Yet he was the center of a widely-spread group of friends.
Active in club circles.
Dr. Farrell was a charter member and past president of the Rotary Club, a charter
member of the Manitowoc Elks, a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active
in every sort of civic work including the Red Cross (xxxx xxxx xxxx) His generosity
was proverbial. He gave freely to every good cause, and his private assistance to
friends in need was very large.
Funeral services will be arranged after the arrival of Miss Farrell on this country.
The American Legion Post here today sought the privilege of giving Dr. Farrell a
military funeral and it is presumed that this will be in keeping with the wishes of
Miss Farrell.
Two Rivers Reporter, (front page feature article) January 31, 1934
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Obituary – Front Page, Two Rivers Reporter, February 13, 1934
TWO RIVERS PAYS LAST TRIBUTE TO DR. A.M. FARRELL
HUNDREDS JAM ST. LUKE’S TO PAY REPECTS
Legion Escort of Honor Sounds Taps as Body Laid to Rest

Two Rivers today paid its last tribute of respect to Dr. A.M. Farrell in such an
outpouring of community affection and mourning as has seldom been seen.
At the solemn high mass in St. Luke’s church this morning every available foot of
space was occupied. Men and women filled the pews, the aisles and the vestibule, and
crowded the steps leading to the choir; even outside the church, in the near zero
weather, groups of people stood about. Along the route of the funeral procession to
the cemetery hundreds waited, to uncover as the hearse passed, and hundreds more
gathered at the cemetery for the burial service.
Legion Escort of Honor.
Many frankly wiped tears from their eyes in the church, as Most Reverend C.V. Hugo,
a life long friend of Dr. Farrell, delivered a brief but moving funeral sermon. Old
and young, even babies in arms, were present at the ceremony, and people of all
faiths mingled in St. Luke’s to pay the silent honor of attendance at the last ceremony
over the remains of one who for 40 years had served the people of this community.
The American Legion supplied an escort of honor, and the uniformed firing squad of
the local post gave Dr. Farrell the soldiers’ farewell over the open grave – the sad
note of “Taps” upon the bugle, and the crashing roar of the three rile volleys. Dr.
Farrell was one of the charter members of the Legion in this city, and held the rank
of Lieutenant Colonel as a result of his services in the medical cops during the world
war. An American flag covered his casket during the funeral service.
Father Hugo spoke first of Dr. Farrell’s loyalty to his church. He was, he said, a true
Christian, who not only performed his external duties as a member of the Catholic church,
but lived by the precepts and devotedly embraced the doctrines of the church. He would
come to early mass after having been out all night upon a difficult case before going
home to get the sleep he needed, Father Hugo recalled.
Recalls Many Good Works.
The priest dwelt with loving recollection upon the many good works of Dr. Farrell, both
in and out of his profession. None ever was turned away who sought his help, he said.
Rich or poor received the same service. And he recalled how devoted the doctor had been
to his people in Two Rivers.
“His skill as a surgeon and his power in diagnosis,” said Father Hugo, “won recognition
from the leaders of his profession during the war. He could have worked among the great
and prominent, but he chose to come back to the people he loved. It is characteristic
that the day after his return he started out early in the morning, in a blizzard, to
visit a sick person who had been anxiously awaiting his coming.”
Of Dr. Farrell’s public service, Father Hugo declared that he accepted public office as
a public trust.
“He believed in representative government and he took his election faithfully in the
affairs of the city. And he did so, regardless of public demeanor, or the opposition or
organized or unorganized minorities. In the discharge of his duty he was inflexible and
absolutely sincere.
Great Kindness.
Father Hugo spoke of Dr. Farrell’s great kindness, and quoted from St. Matthew the words
of Christ –“I was hungry and ye fed me, I was sick and ye visited me” and the rest of
that passage – as indication of the faithfulness with which Dr. Farrell has carried out
the precepts of true Christianity.
(One small paragraph could not be read and is missing here)
Active pall bearers were M.H. Dempsey, Dr. J.E. Meany, L.O. McCambridge and Dr. C.L.R.
MacCollum, all of Manitowoc, and F.W. Dicke and Dr. Joseph Eggers of this city. Honorary
pall bearers comprised members of the Manitowoc County Medical Society and former
Councilman William R. Kahlenberg, Charles Schmitt of Algoma, J.K. Stephany and Frank
Schroeder.
Every store and business place in the city closed its doors for a period of one hour and
a half, from 9:30 to 11:00 this morning out of respect to the late doctor.