Charles W. Farrm, b. 15 Mar 1860

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Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/16/2004 at 12:30:22

Charles W. Farr, the subject of this sketch, was born at Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, March 15, 1860, where he now resides, his parents still living on the old homestead, where Charles was born. His parents moved from Canada to their present residence in March, 1854, and have ever since resided there. It was on this old farm where Charley, as he is familiarly known, was reared. He was given the benefit of a common school education, which he readily took advantage of, and was always at the head in his studies compared with other students of his age. He attended the district school in winter, as all farmers' boys do, and should do, and in summer aided in the work on the farm at home. This mode of life continued until January, 1878, when at the beginning of the winter term in the Maquoketa High school he commenced with the rest to increase his knowledge. He attended school twelve weeks and returned to the farm again, remaining there until the next September, when the school-room again claimed him, and the next spring he graduated with his class from the City High school.

He then put in the next three years teaching school in the winter and pursuing agricultural at home in the summer. The winters of 1880 and 1881 he occupied the position as principal of the La Motte schools, a small town in the north part of the county. In the spring of 1882 he again took to study and desired to be in school and increase his knowledge of books. He then went to Bushnell, Ill., to the Western Normal College, in which one of his older brothers was one of the professors filling the chair of Mathematics. His term there was short, only being in College about three months, when he again returned to the farm. But in December, 1882, he again left for college, this time to attend the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa. Having pursuied his studies out of school during his evenings on the farm, he was again enabled in August, 1883, to graduate from the Western Normal College. He immediately entered the Law Department of the State University at Iowa City, Iowa, and while there was considered amongst the ablest in his class, from which place he graduated in June, 1884, with ninety-nine others, there being just 100 graduates in his class.

The esteem and respect in which he was held by his class, is shown from the fact that they at the end of the year selected him to fill the highest position of honor the class had to bestow, that of permanent Class Secretary, which position he now holds, and each year issues his circular, showing the location and occupation of his class-mates.

He spent the summer of 1884 at home, and the following winter opened a law office at Maquoketa, Iowa. He filled the position of Justice for the first two years, and in the fall of 1886 was elected to the position of County Attorney of Jackson County, he being the first County Attorney under the new law, changing from District to County Attorney. This position he filled with great credit. He was an honest conscientious officer, able and efficient, and always attentive to his duties. His time expired Jan. 1, 1889, since which time he has continued the practice of law. He is associated with John C. Murray, the firm being Murray & Farr. They are also engaged quite extensively in the business of fancy stock, breeding Suffolk Punch horses, and red-polled cattle.

We can say with pleasure, that Mr. Farr promises to be one of the first men of his part of the county in the near future, and the firm of Murray & Farr, are now claiming attention in the courts, as able trial lawyers, and are known as boys who are constantly moving, and always in the direction of their business.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)