Obituary - Elizabeth Firmage McBride

Mrs. Elizabeth MacBride, 79, 160 North Ninth West street, died Sunday evening at a local hospital from infirmities incident to her age.

She was born August 30, 1852, in Fifeshire, Scotland, and had been a resident of Salt Lake for 30 years.

She was a widow of John MacBride, who died in 1915.

With her at the time of death was her niece, Mrs. R.C. Barrass, who had cared for her during the past seven years.

Mrs. MacBride is survived by three brothers, William Firmage of American Fork, John Firmage of Salt Lake and James Firmage of Minnesota.

--Salt Lake Tribune, May 2, 1932

Learn more about Elizabeth on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/elizabeth-firmage-1852.

Obituary - Margaret Farmer Firmage Williamson

Mrs. Margaret Williamson nee Mrs. William Firmage, quietly slept away at the home of her son, Mr. John Firmage, on Fourth street, on last Friday morning, aged 72 years.

The funeral took place on July 1st from the Mormon church where appropriate services were held, Mr. W.B. Rae being the principal speaker on this mournful occasion.

Every seat in the church was occupied and many mourners followed the remains to their last resting places.

The sands of life had well run down and the end came peacefully after a lingering illness. For many years she was a sufferer from acute rheumatism.

Her maiden name was Margaret Farmer, a farmer’s daughter, and was born at Sellar Dyke, Fifeshire. When William, her oldest son, was 17 years old, her husband died leaving her with a family of five to raise. She went to the work and by laboring night and day she educated them and brought them all to manhood and womanhood. Four survive her, Mr. Wm. Firmage, Mr. John Firmage, Mrs. John McBride, all of Rock Springs, and Mr. James Firmage, now living on a farm in Minnesota. One daughter died in Dundee, Scotland, leaving three children.

The deceased has several brothers in Scotland, veterans of the Crimean war. Up to the time she crossed the Atlantic, seventeen years ago, she was an exceptionally strong woman, but as soon as she arrived in Utah she was attacked by rheumatism and she became a martyr to it up to her death.

She married a second time to Mr. Williamson, but there was no issue, and for several years her sons and daughters were her support. The deceased lived an upright Christian life; a life of usefulness; one of love and duty to her family. Now she is at rest and may she sleep in peace.

--Rock Springs Miner no. 28 July 06, 1899

Learn more about Margaret on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/farmer/margaret-farmer.

Obituary - John Leonard Firmage

John Firmage, Sr. Passes

Mr. John Firmage, Sr., member of the Union Pacific Old Timers Association and 40-year Class of 1928, passed away at the Wyoming General Hospital on Thursday, April 6, 1944, where he had been a patient for over a year.

Mr. Firmage was born in Kirkealdy, Fifeshire, Scotland, and came to America at the age of 17 years. In 1886, at the age of 23 years, he arrived in Rock Springs and entered the employ of The Union Pacific Coal Company, working in No. 1 Mine until it was closed down in the year 1910. For a number of years he was boss driver at this mine when all hauling of coal underground was accomplished by the use of mules and horses. After the closing of this mine, Mr. Firmage was employed in similar capacity at No. 8 and No. 10 Mines, Rock Springs, rendering loyal and faithful service until his retirement in 1929. After retiring from the service of the company, Mr. Firmage moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Each year on the occasion of the Old Timers celebration he never failed to be present. Some years ago on the death of his wife, he returned to Rock Springs and has made his home here. Mr. Firmage has made many friends in The Union Pacific Coal Company who regret to hear of his passing.

The funeral was held at the L. D. S. church of Rock Springs, of which he was a member, on April 9th, First Councilor James J. Johnson officiating. Participating in the services were two nephews, Mr. John Firmage of Salt Lake City, and Mr. Andrew Firmage, of American Fork, Utah. Surviving are his son, Mr. John Firmage, Jr., of Rock Springs, who is ill at the veterans' hospital in Salt Lake City; three daughters, Mrs. R. C. Barrass and Mrs. Edward Hoye, of Rock Springs, and Mrs. James Buchanan, of San Francisco; to whom we extend our sympathy.

--Union Pacific Coal Company Employees’ Magazine, May 1944

Learn more about John on the Firmage Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/firmagefamilyhistory/families/firmage/john-leonard-firmage-1863.