My Genealogy Hound

VOLNEY A. FARR. Aside from looking after his property, this aged and respected resident of Springfield, is living mostly retired from the active duties of life. He has by a course of industry and prudence, acquired a competence, and is fully entitled to the ease and comfort which attends him as he quietly passes down the sunset hill of life. He is a native of Vermont, and was born on the 13th of May, 1813, in Brandon, Rutland County, being the son of Solomon and Mabel (Dean) Farr. Solomon Farr was a native of Brighton, Vt., of Irish extraction, and for many years labored as a foundryman, both in his native State and elsewhere. The mother was likewise born in Vermont, and traced her ancestry to Scotland. The parental family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters; only three of the sons are living, two of them being residents of the Green Mountain State.

The subject of this notice spent his youthful days in his native place, and obtained a practical education in the public schools. When of suitable years he began learning the trade of a moulder, but upon the completion of his apprenticeship, not liking the business, he abandoned it. Being of an adventurous turn of mind, he resolved upon going to sea, and accordingly boarded the whaling vessel “Amazon,” under command of Capt. Smith, making a two years’ voyage. This completed, he next went out on the bark “Harvest,” which was also a whaling vessel, and was gone another two years, having an interest in the boat, and sharing the profits. During both voyages the vessels encountered terrific storms, and for hours the crew expected that their time had come, and many were the resolves made that if ever they reached terra firma, they would stay there.

The third and last voyage of Mr. Farr was on the “Harriet” from Freetown, Mass., under the command of Capt. Durphy. The voyage was an extended one, and they sailed over the Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Upon one occasion Mr. Farr was one of the crew which left the vessel in three whaling boats, and with his comrades succeeded in capturing one of the monsters of the deep, the men on each boat killing and capturing a whale. At the same time they were struck by a terrific storm suddenly, became separated from the vessel, and drifted at the mercy of the waves for a number of days, nearly starving, and enduring untold suffering for want of water. They were finally picked up by a German vessel. The boat that Mr. Farr was in, lost their whale during the storm, and two of the eighteen men, on account of their sufferings, had entirely lost their reason. Mr. Farr was now thoroughly convinced that the land was the safest place for him, and as soon as he reached it, made his preparations to stay there. He took up his abode in New Bedford, Mass., remaining there until January, 1849.

At this time the California gold excitement was attracting large numbers of men to the Pacific Slope and thither Mr. Farr determined to repair. Notwithstanding the dangers he had encountered, he again took to the water, making the trip to the Golden Gate via Cape Horn, and experiencing as before considerable rough weather. Soon after his arrival at San Francisco, he entered the volcano mines, where he occupied himself one year in searching for the yellow ore, and was fairly successful. Subsequently the prevalence of cholera at Sacramento, and the breaking out of a fire, was the means of great loss, and he returned to the mines, where he spent two more years, which were fairly profitable. Returning then to Vermont, he sojourned there six months, and in the meantime took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Emeline Barnard, of Brandon, Vt., the marriage occurring October 9, 1853.

Mrs. Emeline Farr was born in Brandon, Vt., and was the daughter of Barzilla and Susan (Crossman) Barnard. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Farr came to Springfield, Ohio, on a visit, and while here, Mr. Farr decided to remain in Springfield. He purchased a dairy in company with Joel Barnard, and this they conducted for eighteen months, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Farr then for four years thereafter was engaged in the scutching of flax, which was used in the manufacture of rope and twine, shipping to Eastern markets. They also manufactured tow, which was utilized in making paper. That enterprise not proving profitable, he therefore turned his attention to dealing in produce, and subsequently became a large buyer and shipper.

The next enterprise of Mr. Farr was the manufacture of the Middlings Purifier, in company with James Rigby, which involved him in a loss of over 15,000. He then withdrew from business, and has since lived retired. The family residence is a fine brick structure, built in 1877, and pleasantly located on West High Street.

To Mr. and Mrs. Farr there were born two children, a daughter and son: Mabel D., the wife of A. P. Trout, a grocer of Springfield; and Leslie E., who is assistant steward in the Kimball House at Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Farr departed this life at her home in Springfield, September 14, 1883. She was a most estimable lady, a faithful wife, and devoted mother, and was deeply mourned, not only by her immediate family, but by a large circle of friends.

Her remains were laid to rest in Ferncliff Cemetery. She and her husband many years ago joined the Universalist Church. Politically, Mr. Farr was a Republican until six years ago, when he identified himself with the Prohibition party.

A portrait* of Mr. Farr appears elsewhere in this volume.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.