General Notes

John Farren one of Brooklyn's best known old citizens, died at his residen
ce,381 Pearl St., on Sunday and was buried from the Church of St. Charl
es Borommeo in Sydney place this morning. In early life Mr. Farren was kno
wn as the proprietor of the First Ward Hotel in Furman Street, and bei
ng an Old Jacksonian democrat, he accepted a position in the New York Cust
om House when Franklin Pierce was President.  Before the outbreak of the w
ar Mr. Farren became theSenior Partner in Farren & Fullam, whose busine
ss was that of dealing in naval stores, resin, pitch, tar, etc. Mr. Farr
en counseled laying in a heavy stock of these goods just before the wa
r.  In the progress of the struggle, his partners, who had agreed with h
im in this, realized the foresight of his calculations.  This was the subs
tantial foundation of the firm's fortune.  Mr. Farren was always a promine
nt Democrat and took an active interest in party matters.  He was one of t
heprincipal supporters of J. Lott Vanderbilt when that gentleman ran for L
ieutenant Governor on the ticket with Amasa J. Parker.  Mr. Farren was o
ne of the early members of St. Pauls Catholic Church, in Court Stree
t. He was an extensive owner of real-estate in the fourth and tenth ward
s, and was recognized as a man of integrity and character. (Brooklyn Dai
ly Eagle July 21, 1885)   
John Farren sold his interest in Farren & Fullam shortly after the war, in
vesting the proceeds in downtown Brooklyn real estate.  Among his many pro
perties were: 128, 129, 130 Smith St.  338, 339 Pearl Street and the build
ing on the corner of Furman and Jarolomen St