My Genealogy Hound

HENRY F. FAHERTY. Conspicuous among the influential citizens of Chester, whom it is a privilege to know, is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice, and who for a number of years has been serving as Chief Deputy County Clerk and Secretary of the Democratic Central Committee. He is well known by the citizens of Chester, and is also prominent throughout Randolph, his native county. He was born near Red Bud, Ill., October 6, 1856.

As the name would indicate, the Faherty family is of Irish descent. Grandfather Edmund Faherty was a native of the Emerald Isle, and thence emigrated to America in 1818, settling in Randolph County, Ill., during the following year, and becoming one of the pioneers of this section of the state. His son James, was born near Red Bud, and grew to manhood amid the primitive scenes of this section, acquiring such information as was obtainable in the early schools. A farmer by occupation, he pursued his chosen calling near Kaskaskia, on the Kaskaskia River bottom lands, from 1857 until 1869, when he returned to the old homestead.

In 1886, James Faherty removed from Randolph County, this time locating St. Louis, where he now resides. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Hammond, was born in Ohio, and was of English parentage and descent. They were the parents of eight children, the third of whom is Henry F., of this sketch. He received the rudiments of his education in the district schools near Kaskaskia, and later attended St. Patrick’s College at Ruma, Ill., and also prosecuted his studies in Cape Girardeau, Mo. At the age of twenty years he commenced in business for himself, opening a livery and sale stable at Red Bud, where he remained for four years.

We next find Mr. Faherty interested in the mercantile business for nine years at Red Bud and Ruma, an enterprise in which he met with fair success. In January, 1889, he came to Chester and entered the office of the Circuit Clerk as Deputy, serving in that capacity for a year or more. In December, 1890, he became Deputy County Clerk, a position which he is still creditably filling. He is among the most popular officials of the county, and though now but in the prime of life, has already gained a success which an older man might well desire to have.

September 23, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Faherty to Miss Julia, daughter of Zachariah and Ann (Wall) Moore, natives of Illinois, where the father resided until his death. The mother now makes her home in Prairie du Rocher. Mrs. Faherty was born in Monroe County, and is the mother of five children: Henry, Maggie, Thomas, Moore and Genevieve, all of whom reside with their parents. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Faherty are identified with the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, being prominent in the order. He has been a life long Democrat, and is quite active in politics, having, as above stated, filled the position of Secretary of the Democratic Central Committee for a number of years.