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:
