[From Manx Quarterly #19,1918]

DR. WILLIAM CREGEEN FARAKER,

Died March 16th, 1918.

Dr Faraker, who passed peacefully away at his residence, Glen View, Peel, on Tuesday, March 26th, in the 80th year of his age, was only for a very short period associated with the public life or governance of the Island. Yet there were few men better known to the large circle of our most distinguished visitors. Scholar, soldier, sailor, doctor, actor, singer who voyaged here either in the pursuit of their avocations or for rest and change, all came ultimately to know and " chum-up" with Dr Faraker, of Peel. A man of wide experience himself, he seemed to have no difficulty in finding an angle of sympathy with every newcomer of intellectual or professional standing. What was the secret of this approach? Was it the glamour of London, which over-spreads everyone who has had the luck to live and earn one's living in the great city? Certainly it was not by any concession of principle or personal habit, because there never lived any man more devoted to his own ideals in truth, his career, as an example of what character, grit, energy, sterling honesty, and unflinching attachment to deeply-rooted principles, is worthy of all commendation. no son of our soil ever lived a life of more honourable achievement. No man goes down to his grave with a record freer of all reproach.

William Cregeen Faraker was born in Peel in September, 1838. His mother, Jane, was the daughter of Archibald Cregeen, the philologist, and compiler of the well-known Manx dictionary published in 1835. William, his father, was a tradesman in the town in a modest way of business, who met with a sudden death before he had been enabled to start this only son on a path in life. Seventy years ago, communication between Douglas and Peel was maintained by a rather ramshackle diligence that made two journeys either way every day. Faraker, the elder, was a passenger on the occasion when the coach overturned at the foot of the incline at Union Mills, and died as result of his injuries. Thereafter, William, the son, had to make his own way in the world, with such poor educational equipment as the Island then afforded. The sea is the natural expedient of every Peel boy, and arrived at Liverpool, the youthful William Faraker succeeded in getting a job on a schooner making the voyage from the Mersey to Iquique and Callao, South America. Only steamers were enabled to take the Straits of Magellan; sailing vessels had to make Cape Horn, with its never-ceasing fierce blasts of icy cold, only to be succeeded a week or two later with the tropical heat of the Peruvian port. This voyage, and the ill-treatment to which all boys following the sea were subjected, led William Faraker to plan other means of earning a living.

Back again in England, he managed to get to London, where a relative, Daniel Cregeen, civil engineer, was making a name for himself in connection with the construction of the Thames Embankment. His cousin, Archibald Cregeen, got his foot on the ladder by the aid of Daniel. Archie qualified for Government service in India, and died a few years ago in Douglas, having for many years enjoyed a very substantial pension. William found a willing helper in another family connection, Dr Joseph Cregeen, who had a large and lucrative practice near the London Docks at Rotherhithe. He learned to dispense, and Dr Joseph Cregeen, finding his cousin had a natural liking and aptitude for the medical profession, enabled. William to qualify for his degree by entering him at Guy's Hospital, whence he took his M.R.C.S. diploma.

William rewarded his helper with the full of both hands. He acquired a. sufficient knowledge of the languages of Norway and Spain as to enable him to give special attention to all cases belonging to the ships of those countries. A sick Norse-man was cheered by the speech of his own land. Medicine could not be wanting in virtue when dispensed by a man who was such a lover of the Scandinavian peninsula as to learn its rather guttural speech. The practice grew apace, and William was taken into partnership, none too soon as it happened, because Dr Joseph Cregeen died in comparative early life, leaving a widow and six young children, all girls. Widows are said to be able to size up a situation and take all measurements before a mere man has had the sense to look for a two-foot rule. A delicious touch of tender dissimulation began to manifest itself in the relations of Dr Faraker with the widow and her bonny children. In their bereavement, the young and fatherless girls did all the love-making that was necessary to bring the doctor and their mother into sympathy, mutual dependence, and marriage. Stepchildren are reputed to be a bitter thorn to second marriages. Let the exception prove the rule. No father could have been more devoted to the moral and material welfare of his children than was Dr Faraker to the girls of his wife's former marriage. And it is only fair to add that no stepchildren were ever more sincerely attached to a father united to them only by the link of marriage to their widowed mother.

By the time of his wife's death, Dr Faraker was well on the way to a secure competency. Some of his, patients were comparatively unlettered; but they had large hearts and bulky purses, and neither heart nor purse were borne in tight strings. Dr Faraker had an abundance of tales of grateful patients who would listen to no " nay." Their gratitude found expression not in words, but in fat cheques. He never recalled a bad debt; he had scores of tales of men and women who insisted on the family doctor sharing in all the family's good luck as well as ill-luck. He was a lifelong teetotaler; yet he was constrained to act as trustee for men whose assets largely consisted of valuable London public-house property. The humour of a member of the United Kingdom Alliance going up to London to look after a ward's public-house was never lost on him; he discharged his obligations to the approval of the Court of Chancery, and to the advantage of the beneficiary with the most correct rectitude, never allowing even his personal expenses to be refunded to him from funds made on the sale of drink.

Social convention, as it applies to doctors, has largely changed since Dr Faraker's prime. In his day it was necessary for a medical man in London to wear a frock coat, a silk hat, spotless linen; and to make his calls in a carriage and pair, the coachman in livery, the horses decked out in glittering silver harness. No baby could come into the world without these polite attentions birth; no old man could go out of it without such dignified observances. The convention was rigid; it must be observed and Dr Faraker's turnout left no balance worth speaking of out of £450. without counting the cost of the horses in stable resting. Now a doctor may come on foot; and he may even wear a jacket suit — if he gives no thought for the morrow.

On his retirement, Dr Faraker married Miss Mary Hobman, a friend and neighbour, and relative of Holman Hunt. — great painter of " The Light of the World." (Hunt changed the "Hobman" into " Holman," because, as be said, "it slipped more easily from the tongue"). Returning to the Island, Dr Faraker :and his new bride settled in the house called Ravensdale, now the home of Mr and Mrs F. C. Brownfield (the latter is one of the stepdaughters above alluded to). Mrs Faraker died in 1911, and since that date he has had the companionship and zealous care of his only sister, Miss Faraker, formerly of Douglas, and frequent visits from his half-brother, Mr R. E. Morrison, of Liverpool; the well-known portrait painter.

In London, Dr Faraker was a regular habitué of the grand opera at Her Majesty's Theatre, which then stood at the corner of the Haymarket and Pall Mall East. He had a fund of memories of the great stars; and of the production of many of the most famous French, German, and Italian operas of the mid-Victorian era, from the early days of " La Triviata," of Verdi, to the production of " La Cavalleria Rusticana" of Mascagni. He was on intimate terms with the leaders of his profession: Sir Wm. Gull, Sir Samuel Wilkes, Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, and a dozen more. He could recall an age when in London, to confess oneself a geologist was, to proclaim oneself a lost soul ; when Lyell was anathema, and Darwin and Huxley spoken of from the pulpit as low-down conspirators. But he lived to see Lyell the father of a great school in which his old friend, Professor Boyd-Dawkins, is today the foremost figure; and Darwin regarded as the greatest ornament of modern science. Need I say that Dr Faraker had no narrow sectarian vices, or any scrap of religious bigotry, blindness, or intolerance, and the Darwin volumes had the most honoured place on his shelves.

I have made no reference to many of Dr Faraker's activities, to his devotion to fishermen, the Rocket and Life Boat Brigade, to the promotion of all manly and healthful sports, golf, cricket, lawn tennis, and football, to all of which he was a regular subscriber. Nor have I sought to revive the story of his election conflicts for a seat in either Keys or Commissioners; these things belong to the dead past, and to merely mention them is to cast a sad reflection on the intelligence of the living. The simple truth is that we have no use for either the "come-over" or the "come back." If he has money and parts with it freely to all and sundry, we effusively say to him, "Brother" ; but if be is not " soft stuff," then we say " pig." And no man must expect election to any administrative body who has been known to have gone beyond the Victoria Pier at Douglas. To have lived in England or abroad is a grievous offence, until one has cast aside all notions of Insular betterment. we are resolved upon nourishing all our odd superstitions. We are determined to retard all progress, such as education, that an open eye would suggest. And Dr Faraker was made to learn this bitter lesson, as truly as the Rev T. E. Brown. and many, many more.

There were moments, therefore, when a. little of the bitterness of Manx neglect seized him; just as I remember it used to seize the Rev T. E. Brown, who said there was no folly in any Islander of Man compared to the folly of " coming back." Towards the end of his residence in Ramsey, " Never come back" was Brown's watchword; and finding his error he sought to rectify it. Dr Faraker, dogged to the last, stuck it, well-knowing that had he settled elsewhere than the Isle of Man, at any seaside resort along the South Coast, his wide travel over Europe, large experience of men and things, and comfortable fortune, would have commanded respect and called for utilisation for the good of the community as a whole. But, solaced with "the silence of our eternal hills, the music of rivers and great waters," he made content and passed into the great unknown within half-a-mile of the spot whence he first saw day.

My last word must be in a brighter, happier key — a tribute to the cheer which Dr Pantin brought to the sick chamber of his fellow graduate of Guy's. The link of a common ancestry of professional equipment was never more real, never more tender and true than between these two men, separated only by the one inevitably separating barrier — that of years.

W. RALPH HALL CAINE.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral took place on Saturday at Peel Cemetery. The principal mourners wore Miss Faraker (sister), Mr R. E. Morrison (brother), Mr and Miss F. C. Brownfield (son-in-law and step-daughter), Mr Leslie Faraker, of London (cousin), Mr S. K. Broadbent (cousin), and Mr Richard Qualtrough, J.P., of Castletown. There were also present Messrs R. D. Gelling (Douglas), T. C. Kermode, E. Cottier, W. H. Walker, W. K. Palmer, J. Hodgson, Walter Quayle, J. G. Corrin, J.P., T. C. ,S. Moore, Tom Dodd, H. Cowley, T. Harrison, Christopher Shimmin, and many others. Rev W. N. Hudson, M.A., Vicar of German, and Rev J. W. Haswell, Wesleyan minister, officiated at the service.

A RELATIVE'S TRIBUTE.

I am almost afraid to add anything to the foregoing notice of my cousin and friend, Dr Faraker ; and yet it seems to me that I ought to, spending as I did many Sundays in the year in his company, almost from the time he took up his residence in the Isle of Man. He was always the same. His principles were known. First of all, he was a Liberal — perhaps a Radical — in politics. Then he was a total abstainer; and he loved everything that made for human betterment. Was he a religious man? Yes! although he did not often attend a place of worship. But he sympathised with every effort that was directed to do the people good, and surely the Episcopalian, the Free-Churchman. the Salvationist, the Roman Catholic, come under that category. He hadn't a pronounced Rationalistic book in his library. I remember on one occasion he read Vivian's " The Churches and Modern Thought," which is a very upsetting kind of book; but he did not seem carried away with the arguments, and he gave the book away. I remember, too, when he was a candidate for the representation of Peel in the House of Keys at a bye-election, a prominent worker for the opposing candidate sought to influence votes by whispering that Dr Faraker was an atheist! Of course, the Doctor heard of it, and when the election was over (he was not elected) and he met this gentleman, he administered a chastisement never to be forgotten, and indignantly refused to be on terms of intimacy with such a slanderer. A favourite remark of his was that in the hour of trouble and bereavement there was nothing to offer the stricken heart if the idea of Heaven was taken away. Whenever he could help anyone be would. He saw all his stepdaughters settled in life; his brother, Mr Morrison, he helped from the time he was a young but unknown pupil of the Art School, Mount-street, Liverpool. until, having passed through the Art centres of London, Paris, and Venice. he became one of the best-known portrait painters in the North of England. Dr Clague, the farmer's son. he coached and showed the way to gain his degree, until the disciple was greater than himself. His cousin, Dr J. J. Faraker, who succeeded him in the London practice, was likewise indebted to him in the same way as Dr Clague was; and many another might be mentioned. He was a splendid conversationalist, and was well-read in books of travel and modern fiction. His entry for a short time into municipal life was not something he was proud of. He found a lack of courage and public spirit, but the little time he did give to local affairs resulted in some good. On one occasion he overheard a conversation with his fellow-Commissioners that moneys in the hand's of some of their officials could not be got, although frequent requests had been made. He promptly took the matter up, and moved that the Lieut.-Governor be informed. The outstanding moneys were paid next morning, and Dr Faraker was told that these officials would have their knife into him. His reply to a threat of that kind was something not soon forgotten. What a friend he was to practising medical men in Peel! The (late) Dr Macdonald, Dr Goulding, Dr Gell, and others could take a holiday and scarcely be missed if Dr rasher was at home. I was nearly forgetting an intimacy which from the first acquaintance to the latest moment, he enjoyed with Mr Hall Caine and all the members of his, family, not forgetting his revered parents. There was no one in the Isle of Man the eminent litterateur thought more of than Dr Faraker, and the friendship was heartily reciprocated. A favourite expression of the Doctor was that if the Isle of Man had paid the novelist £1,000 a year it — would not have been too much for what Mr Caine had done for the Island by his popular books — " The Manxman," " The Deemster," " The Little Manx Nation," etc.

S. K. B.

[From the Peel City Guardian.]

The death of Dr Faraker, which took place early on Tuesday morning at his residence; Glen View, closes an honourable career, and one that reflects credit on "the Little Manx Nation." Dr Faraker was in his 80th year, being born in Peel in September 1838. His father was a Peel tradesman who met his death when his son was still a boy, by the overturning of the Peel coach near the Union Mills. Dr Faraker made the most of the educational advantages which Peel of his day afforded and was under the tutorship of men whose names linger as a tradition for sound scholarship. It is not surprising that his first venture in life should be on the sea. "Willie" joined a ship at Liverpool, and sailed for the principal ports of the western coast of South America, via Cape Horn. In the days of "wind jammers" this was the voyage chosen by parents for the boys they sought to disillusionise of the romance of the sea. It had this effect on William Faraker, who on reaching England got into touch with relatives He proceeded to London. where his cousin, Dr Joseph Cregeen, had a lucrative practice at Rotherhithe. Finding his cousin had a natural aptitude for the medical profession, Dr Cregeen had him entered at Guy's Hospital, where in due course he took his diploma. Dr Faraker was taken into partnership by his cousin. and succeeded to the practice on the death of Dr Cregeen. Later he married his cousin's widow, who had been left with six daughters: These found in their step father a true and considerate friend, and their undiminished affection and respect for him is a tribute to his sterling worth. Dr Faraker's wife died before he had retired from his practice. On his retirement he married Miss Mary Hobman, a relative of Holman Hunt. the celebrated painter. His wife died in 1911, and was buried in Peel Cemetery, where Dr Faraker was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon. Dr Faraker was a man of travel and of wide reading. He was an uncompromising radical in politics, and lived to see men like Lord Curzon, Lord Milner, Mr Balfour, etc., pay lip service at least to the democratic principles to which he was attached. He was a lifelong tee-totaller and convinced Prohibitionist, and it was not to the credit of Peel and of Glanfaba Sheading that he should have sought in vain a winning number of votes when he sought the suffrages of these constituencies as a candidate for the House of Keys. Dr Faraker leaves a sister, Miss Faraker, whose companionship and care he has had since the death of his wife, and a half-brother, Mr R. E. Morrison, of Liverpool. the well-known portrait painter. Dr Faraker's mother was a daughter of Archibald Cregeen, of Manx Dictionary fame. whose descendants have won distinction in the learned professions. Cousins, too, on his father's side, have entered the medical and clerical professions.

" Requiescat in Pace."

In Loving Memory of

Dr. WILLIAM CREGEEN FARAKER,

by his Step-Daughter, EMILY A. CREGEEN.

Set him down gently,
And lay him to rent
Calmly, peacefully,
On Mother Earth's breast.

Scatter fresh violets
And primroses sweet
On his last rest-place,
Where sun and storms beat.

Naught can disturb him
In his last long sleep,
Till the Dead in, Christ rise
From the Earth and the Deep.

In the Hereafter
We shall meet him again,
Tears wiped from our eyes.
Amen and Amen.

March 26th, 1918.

[see also obit Robert Faraker - his cousin John Joseph, son of his father's younger brother Robert took over the Rotherhithe practice - 1891 census at 12 & 14 Plough Road Rotherhithe :John J [joseph]. Faraker, Head, 41, General Practitioner, b. IOM, Ada J., Wife, 30, b. London, Leslie O., Son, 4, b. London, Erskine C., Son, 3, b. London & Irene G., Daughter, 1, b. London ]

RIGHT REV. NORMAN JOHN DUMENIL STRATON,

Died April 4th, 1918,

The death took place at Tunbridge Wells on Thursday, the 4th April, of the Right Rev. Norman John Dumenil Straton, D.D., formerly Bishop of Newcastle. Prior to his translation to the diocese of Newcastle, he was for a period of fifteen years Bishop of Sodor and Man. During his tenure of the Manx See Bishop Straton brought about many improvements in regard to the Church in the Island, and was mainly instrumental in securing that the stipends of beneficed clergymen were increased to considerable extent. It was at his instance that the Manx Sustentation Fund was established. He also rendered very useful service in the Legislature, particularly with regard to education; and generally he took a great interest in Manx public affairs. He was a very courteous gentleman, and was greatly respected by all sections of the Manx people. Dr. Straton was succeeded in the Bishopric of Sodor and Man in 1907 by Dr. Drury, now Bishop of Ripon.

WILLIAM H. OATES,

Died March 9th, 1918

The death of Mr William H. Oates took place at Ballasalla on Saturday, March 9th. Mr Oates had been only a month confined to his house, and his death came as a surprise to many. He carried on business as a blacksmith in the village for well nigh 45 years, taking over the business when his own father died. The deceased was well known, and in his own parish served for a number of years as a Parish Commissioner and a member of the Malew Board of Guardians. He leaves a widow and four sons and two daughters to mourn his loss. The funeral took place on Tuesday and was largely attended, the service being held in the Wesleyan Church, of which Mr Oates had been a member. The service was conducted by the Rev J. B. Gedye (circuit minister). Mr W. H. Cubbon presided at the organ and played the Dead March (in " Saul "). The Interment was in Malew Churchyard. After the committal service was read, the Oddfellows' Form of Service was read by Mr R. Fred Shimmin, I.P.P.G.M. of the Isle of Man District, the deceased being a lifelong member of the Hope and Anchor Lodge (Castletown). Many wreaths and other floral tributes expressive of regret were sent.

ERNEST R. QUAYLE,

Died March 6th, 1918.

The death took place on 6th March of Mr Ernest Radcliffe Quayle, aged 22 years, son of Mr W. H. Quayle, 34 Parade-street (ex-chairman and hon. auditor of Barrow Manx Society). The deceased had been in very indifferent health for some considerable time, but hopes were entertained for his recovery. About three weeks before his death he went to Tovor, near Coniston, for the benefit of his health, but unfortunately he had a relapse from which he was unable to recover. He was a brass finisher by trade, being a clever craftsman. — The funeral took place on Monday at the Borough Cemetery, amidst many manifestations of regret. The Barrow Manx Society was represented by Mr William Watson (vice president), Mr J. J. Kelly (Ballacraine), and Mr H. C. F. Lace (hon. secretary).

JOHN RUSSELL,

Died March 14th. 1918.

The death took place on March 14th of Mr John Russell, formerly of Ballaslig, Braddan. Mr Russell came to the Isle of Man in connection with the construction of the Isle of Man Railway about forty-five years ago. He eventually engaged in farming, and was a very successful agriculturist. Upon retiring he took up his residence in Douglas, where he became greatly respected. For a period he served as a Guardian of the Poor of Douglas, and in this capacity did much useful though unostentatious work. Ill health compelled his resignation from the board, much to the regret of his confreres. He had been ailing for some weeks prior to his death.

MISS ANNIE HARRIS,

Died April [9th, 1915.

On Friday, April 19th, the dearth took place of Miss Annie Harris, of Marathon, Douglas, the last survivor of the children of the late Mr Samuel Harris, Vicar-General of the diocese of Sodor and Man, and High-Bailiff of Douglas. Miss Harris, though of quiet and retiring disposition. was most pleasant and courteous of manner, and did a considerable amount of good in unostentatious fashion. By those people who were privileged to know her intimately, she was highly esteemed because of her many excellent quantities of mind and character, while it goes without saying that all Douglas people respected her as the daughter of a man who rendered such long and faithful service to the town and Island. The funeral took place on Monday, and was largely attended. Interment was at St. George's Churchyard.

EDWARD C. KERR,

Died April 19th, 1919.

Mr Edward C. Kerr died at The Fort, Bowring-road, Ramsey, on Friday, April 19th, and the burial took place at Maughold on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Kerr's health was far from satisfactory for a good while before the end came, but he bore up as bravely as possible. At the end of last year he retired from the management of the Ramsey branch of Parr's Bank, and removed to Bowring-road. The deceased gentleman was an exceedingly able man of affairs. In banking knowledge and ability he was unexcelled, and he was scrupulously upright in all his dealings. The writer of this note had some little dealings with Mr Kerr during a number of years, and is able to say that nobody could be more considerate or gentlemanly. He knew just how he wanted things done, and when his wishes were met he was pleased and never raised any question as to cost. Mr Kerr was formerly in the service of the Bank of Mona, and on the collapse of that institution in 1878 he was appointed as agent at Ramsey of Dumbell's Banking Co. He retained the appointment up to the failure of the bank in 1900, and when Parr's Bank, Ltd. took over the business he was continued in his office and he served that company for 17 years. The deceased gentleman was an Oddfellow, a Freemason, and he also actively assisted in the work of St Paul's Church. He will, however, be best remembered as secretary of Ramsey lifeboat, which post he held for 22 years. His energy and enthusiasm in carrying on the work of the committee and facilitating the services of the boat could not be excelled. He was in all those matters a strong, intelligent and self-sacrificing man. During his term of office the Ramsey lifeboat had some thrilling experiences, as for instance when three vessels were driven ashore at once, and the puzzle was to know which to try to go to. There were times when the boat only returned from one service in time to be sent off on another, and Mr Kerr was always to the front on such occasions as those. Mrs Kerr (a Scotch lady) survives her husband, and also one daughter and three sons. Private Ed. Kerr has been a prisoner of war for two years, in Germany and Holland, and the other two are also in the Forces.

EDWARD CURPHEY,

Died 17th March, 1918.

The death of Mr Edward Curphey took place on Sunday, 17th March, at his residence, 26 Storey-square, Barrow, at the age of 64 years. Mr Curphey, who was a native of the Isle of man, had been in failing health for some time. He was well-known in Barrow and district, and was rightly respected. For some time be was engaged in the carting and furniture removing business under the style of "Curphey and Hughes." He did a lot of work on committees for the general betterment of the people, and was for a while secretary of the Barrow Allotments Association. He was also a trustee of the Barrow Manx Society. — The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Barrow Cemetery a service being held in the Hindpool Wesleyan Church, of which deceased was a member. The Barrow Manx Society was represented at the funeral by Mr John Cleator (ex-president), Mr W. Watson (vice-president), Mr A. P. Kennish (hon. auditor), and Mr H. C. F. Lace (hon. secretary), who also sent floral tributes.