- THOMAS H. FARMER, a pioneer of 1844, and an energetic, intelligent
citizen of Beloit, was born
- in Oneida County, N.Y., on the 23d day of March, 1821. His
parents, Benjamin and Sarah (DAVIS) FARMER, were natives of New
England, the father born in Andover, N.H., in 1789, the mother
born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1796. Their marriage was celebrated
in 1816, and their union was graced by the birth of four children,
three sons and one daughter. Laura M., who died in Oswego County,
N.Y., was the wife of Wheaton SPINK, who enlisted in a New York
regiment during the late war and died at the hospital in Alexandria
from disease contracted while in the service; Thomas H. is the
second in order of birth; Henry M. is living in Oneida County,
N.Y.; and Horace T., who left home in 1851, was last heard of
at Rome, N.Y., and is supposed to be dead. Benjamin FARMER, the
father of these children, departed this life in 1825, after which
his wife returned to Vermont and later married Henry CURRAN,
by whom four children were born, two now living - Charles, of
Oswego County, N.Y., and Amos D., of Bristol, Ill. The death
of Mrs. CURRAN occurred in Oswego County in 1866. She was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a devoted Christian
lady.
- His father dying when our subject was a young lad, he made
this home with Moses DAVIS, a great
- uncle, remaining in his family until he attained his majority.
His education was sadly neglected, but being of a studious nature
and possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he has
largely overcome the disadvantages of earlier years, and possess
a fund of knowledge which many a person who has had excellent
opportunities might well envy. In 1844 he turned his face toward
the setting sun, with the determination of carving out his fortune
in what was then considered the far West. After sailing around
the lakes he reached Kenosha, whence he proceeded to Beloit,
making the journey on foot. Knowing that he had to gain his own
livelihood, he at once began making inquiries for a position,
and at last secured employment in the lumber-yard of John Hackett.
- In 1848 Mr. FARMER further completed his preparations for
a home in this county by his
- marriage with Miss Anna S. BUTTON, a daughter of Charles
and Cynthia BUTTON, of Green County, Wis. The lady was a native
of Onondago County, N.Y., where he was born April 15, 1824. In
1850, leaving his young wife in Beloit, Mr. FARMER crossed the
plains to California, and for a year engaged in mining on the
Pacific slope, returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama and
New York City. While en route the vessel caught fire and one
of the engines was disabled, but it at length reached port in
safety. After returning to his home Mr. FARMER went to Indiana,
where he embarked in the mercantile business, which proved a
disastrous enterprise, he losing nearly all the money had had
acquired in California, amounting to $1,800. About this time
the Galena Branch of the Northwestern Railroad was in course
of construction, and he went to the river of Pickatomca, where
he established a small supply store, and subsequently removed
to Warren, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for ten years,
gaining some $6,000 or $7,000. While in that place he was elected
to the office of Justice of the Peace, and also held other positions
of public trust. After selling his stock and trade he came to
Beloit, and purchasing a farm near the city, turned his attention
to agricultural pursuits. He has made many improvements since
that time, and has become one of the prominent citizens of the
community. In 1876 he built a good residence,
and in 1879 erected a fine brick dwelling, which compares favorably
with the best homes in the city, and also owns a neat cottage.
He does not take an active part in political affairs, never seeking
public preferment, but is well informed on all the leading issues
of the day, and has cast his ballot with the Republican party
in times past, but is now Prohibitionist.
- On the 24th day of May, 1888, his wife passed to the silent
land, to which her parents had been
- previously called. Her friends were many, and deep grief
was felt not only by the loving husband whom she left behind,
but by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. She was
an earnest, consistent Christian woman, whose life was an ever
present lesson and often proved more effective than the most
logical or eloquent sermon. She was regular in her attendance
at the house of worship. Modest and
unassuming, kind and forgiving, her amiability and sweetness
of disposition were her chief characteristics, while she possessed
a benevolent spirit in a marked degree that manifested itself
by kind actions at the sick bed, a cheering and sympathetic word
to the distressed, or a needed gift to the destitute. She will
long be held in loving remembrance as one who has made the world
better by her having lived.
- Mr. FARMER is numbered among the self-made men of Rock County,
for his success in life is
- due entirely to his own efforts of industry, perseverance
and good management. He has ever taken an active interest in
the enterprises which are for the advancement of the community,
has borne a prominent part in the work of developing the country
from its primitive state to one of the highest cultivation, and
his strict honesty and integrity have made him honored and respected
by all.
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 871-872.
- Courtesy of Carol
|