Biography of William Farr Treasurer of Grand Haven Township, School Inspector and a representativegeneral agriculturist of Ottawa County, Mich., is along-time resident of theState, but, a native of Merrie England, was born under British rule in the year1834. Our subject is the son of Charles FARR, who, leaving his native landemigrated to America in 1848, and, locating in the Empire State, made hispermanent home in Oswego, there residing for over two-score years, passingpeacefully away in 1889. The father was a successful farmer and was aboutforty-one years of age when, bidding farewell to the scenes of his childhood, hesailed for the United States. In England he had managed three different stageroutes and was a man of more than ordinary business ability. Our subjectreceived his education and early business training in the Old Country, and atthe age of thirteen apprenticed to the firm of Austin & Son, learning thetrade of casting and wire-drawing jewelry, stamping and refining. He attendedthe free schools of England and well improved his opportunities of instruction.The home of his youth was in the city of Birmingham, Warwickshire. Mr. FARR hadnot long attained his majority when he decided to follow his father to America,and in 1855 crossed the broad Atlantic to the land of promise beyond the sea.Arriving in New York, our subject soon rejoined his father, from whom he hadbeen separated by an absence of seven years. William FARR remained in OswegoCounty for a twelvemonth, and then journeyed to Canada, which he made his homefor the five succeeding years. While a dweller in Canada our subject learned andengaged in the cooper's trade and some length of time was profitably devoted tocoopering. In the Dominion of Canada Mr. FARR met and married Miss Frances MariaLONG, the two being united in marriage in 1859. The estimable wife of oursubject was a native of Canada, her parents being of English birth. The sevensons and daughters who blessed the happy home were Addie C., the eldest, whomarried John H. SHIRE; Charles Frederick, deceased; William, deceased; HerbertReed; Nellie, deceased; Walter and Bruce. In 1882 Mr. FARR removed to the UnitedStates and, journeying to Michigan, located in Ottawa County, settling at onceupon his present valuable homestead, then wild timberland. Of the one hundredand forty acres, one hundred are under cultivation, yielding bounteous harvestsof grain and fruit. In addition to farming here in Michigan, our subject alsoengaged on his own farm in the cooper business, profitably conducting the samefor over four years. Vitally interested in educational advancement, Mr. FARRhas, as a School Director for ten years, materially aided in the upward progressof the district schools of his home locality, and for four years TownshipTreasurer has discharged the duties of the office to the great satisfaction ofthe general public. Mr. and Mrs. FARR are both devout members of the MethodistEpiscopal Church, and are active aids in benevolent enterprises and religiouswork. Politically a Republican ever since making his residence in Michigan, oursubject is deeply interested in both the local and national management of thegreat trusts involved, and, thoroughly appreciating a Republican form ofgovernment, is in the highest sense of the term a loyal and public-spiritedcitizen.
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Created: 12 August 2002
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