As I mentioned in an earlier article, Michael O'Rourke, Killowen to Cleveland, when you see the names Michael O'Rourke and Mrs. Thomas Feran in the same household in Cleveland, you start to think of Killowen emigrants. As with Michael, it turned out that Thomas and Annie (O'Rourke) Feran came from that area as well. This article is about the Ferans. For Annie's family from Ballyneddan Townland see Some Children of Michael Rourke and Alice Cunningham.
Thomas Feran was baptized August 22, 1844, the son of Patrick Feran and Bridget Mcgivern, of Ballinran Townland, Killowen, County Down, Ireland.1
In Griffith's Valuation there is a Patrick Feran listed as occupant of parcels 12A and 12B in Ballinran. The first Valuation Revision Book, which starts in 1865, shows that Patrick is the tenant until 1873 when the plot passes to the representatives of Patrick Feran. In 1875 the land goes to his wife Bridget (McGivern) Feran, who holds it until her death in 1891. At that point their son John takes over the occupancy.2
In 1872 Thomas Feran of Ballinran and Annie Rourke of Ballyneddan were married. The witnesses were Luke Savage and Elizabeth Fearon. Elizabeth was probably Thomas' sister, baptized May 7, 1852.1
Thomas and Annie were in Cleveland by 1873, living at 4 Everett Street. The address changed to 24 Everett in the 1876 City Directory. Thomas was a teamster--the 1877 directory said he worked for Otis Iron & Steel Co. He remained in that occupation until his death, May 8, 1890. Thomas and Annie had no children.3,4
In the Thomas Feran household in 1880, there is a "William Feran, brother, teamster."5 William was baptized August 29, 1849.1 His later census records say that he arrived in the United States in 1869 or 1870, but I didn't see him in the city directories. Perhaps he wasn't in Cleveland at first. From 1880 to 1885 he shared an address with his brother Thomas.3
William Feran and Nano O'Connor were married about 1883, according to the 1900 Census. If "Nano" is a nickname for "Jane" then they were married April 18, 1883, in Cuyahoga County, by John O'Connor.6 They lived on King Street and on Hamilton, then settled at 1211 St. Clair, which became 3035 St Clair after the 1906 Cleveland street reorganization. They had eight children, of whom seven are named on the censuses: William, Mary, Hugh, Catherine, Richard, Elizabeth, and Frances. The eighth child had died before 1900.7
William Feran died February 28, 1918, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery. His parents' names are listed as Patrick Feran and Bridget McGavin on his death record.8
Daniel Feran was baptized July 27, 1857.1 He was in Cleveland by 1885, boarding on Everett St with his brother Thomas.3 He and Mary O'Connor (Nano's sister) were married about 1890, according to the 1910 Census.8 Mary died in 1917 and Daniel on January 8, 1924. They are both buried in Calvary. Daniel's parents' names are listed as Patrick Feran and Bridget McGuinness on his death record. They had no children.9,10