Rev. William J. Quarry
Rev. William J. Quarry was born at Mossgrove, County Cork, Ireland, November, 1816, where his family had resided for generations. His father, James Quarry, was a descendant of one of Cromwell's officers. His mother's maiden name was Jane Shorten. Her home was at Pullerwick, and often visited by the Wesleys in their visits to Ireland. Rev. Quarry was raised an Episcopalian and was baptized and confirmed in that church. In his boyhood, he enjoyed the advantages of the common school system in Ireland, but later on, when it entered his mind to preach, he was sent to Bandon, where he devoted himself to studying and teaching for eight years. In 1843, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was licensed to preach. In 1844, after the death of his father, he concluded to emigrate to America, and he left Ireland on the fifth day of May, 1845, in the sailing ship "Virginia," with his sister. They were five weeks on their voyage to New York City. They came direct to Cincinnati, arriving there on the eighth of July. The following December, Bishop Hamlin sent Mr. Quarry to Patriot Circuit. In September, 1846, he was admitted on trial to the Ohio Conference, and from that time on he labored in the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church until 1879, when he retired from active work. In this period, he was preacher and pastor in twenty-one circuits and stations, first in the Ohio Conference, and afterwards in the Cincinnati Conference, and that without vacation or intermission. In 1852, while on the Lockland charge, on the ninth of September, he was married to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Bagby, who was a true helpmate and co-worker in all his ministerial labors, but especiallv in the Sunday School, where her natural talents found their best adaptation and the greatest success crowned her efforts.
To this umon, one child was born, Miss Kate J. Quarry, who now resides at Felicity, and is Postmistress there. In 1851, and again in 1873, he was located at West Union, the last time remaining there until 1876, when he located at Felicity, in Clermont County.
April 7, 1890, Mrs. Quarry was stricken with paralysis, and, after a short illness, died. The years of Rev. Quarry's life after this event were years of great physical suffering, but filled with hope and rejoicing. His home was one where his hosts of friends loved to go with words of comfort and encouragement. On February 9, he passed away after twelve days' sickness, with La Grippe.
Rev. Quarry was a man who was loved by all who knew him. He was a true Irishman and one of the best types of his countrymen. In his preaching, he was enthusiastic and earnest, and very successful. He and his wife are lovingly remembered by all their old friends in Adams County.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900