Fallas, John (1839-1916)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J. Bilton

Mr, John Fallas, of the Market Street Church, Wakefield First Circuit, passed away to the Homeland on the 27th July last in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His early years were spent in Horbury, where he joined our Church over forty-five years ago. He came to Wakefield twenty-two years ago.

In the circuit he held the office of station steward for several years. On the City Council he had a seat for nine years. Delegation to both District Meeting and Conference were honours which he prized.

He passed away suddenly in the street while waiting for the tram-car. The funeral service in our church at Horbury was conducted by Rev. J. Bilton, and, with its large attendance, representative of the civic life of Wakefield, the church life of Wakefield. and Horbury, and the very many endearing family relationships, was a fine evidence of the large place he had occupied in the affections of the people.

A widow, two sons, and five daughters remain to carry on the noble traditions of Christ-like life and service which have been created.

Family

John was born in late 1839 at Horbury, Yorkshire, to parents John Fallas, a stone mason (1841), and Eliza Pickard. He was baptised on 29 December 1839 at St Peters, Horbury.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

1851 piecener in worsted factory
1861 woollen factory assistant
1871 hawker of woollen goods
1881 furniture broker
1891 furniture broker
1901 furniture broker & hotel proprietor
1911 furniture dealer

He married Charlotte Parkin (1846-1922) on 27 April 1862 at St Peters, Horbury, Yorkshire. Census returns identify nine of fourteen children.

George William (1863-1927) – an accountant (1891)
Ellen (b1866) – furniture broker’s assistant (1891)
Ann (1868-1903) – a dressmaker (1891)
Eliza (1870-1884)
Clara (1873-1965) – domestic servant (1891)
Emma Whiteley (1875-1953) – married Henry McLeod, commercial traveller for seed merchant (1911), in 1903
Edith (1877-1971) – married James Thomas Burrows, a picture frame maker (1911),
Herbert (1880-1947) – a furniture dealer (1911)
Charlotte Mary (1884-1975) – furniture broker’s saleswoman (1901); married Donald Alexander Balfour in 1906

John died on 27 July 1916 at Wakefield, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/927

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers