FARMER, Samuel Carter - 1890 Bio (1807-1880)

FARMER, FLETCHER, CRAWFORD, MCCRACKIN, CAMPBELL, MCELROY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/5/2007 at 13:23:47

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 433-434

Samuel C. FARMER, deceased, was one of the leading business men of Fairfield and took an active interest in the progress of that city. His life record is well worthy a place in this volume and it is with pleasure that we present this brief sketch to the many friends who mourn his loss. He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., May 24, 1807, and in early life received excellent literary training, his school privileges being superior to those afforded most youths of that day. Subsequently he prepared himself for the practice of medicine, but as a profession followed it only about four years. For some time he was engaged in the milling business and in Fairfield devoted his attention to several enterprises which proved of a helpful character to the city.

Ere his removal to the West, however, Mr. FARMER, on the 11th of November, 1849, was joined in wedlock with Mary J., daughter of James and Margaret (FLETCHER) CRAWFORD. The union was celebrated in West Liberty, Va., the lady is a native of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Pa., her birth having occurred in that place September 18, 1824. After about seven years residence in his native State, Mr. FARMER, accompanied by his wife, in 1856, severed his connection with the East and started for Jefferson County, Iowa. Near Salina, he purchased a farm, but that business proving unprofitable, he sold out and removed to Fairfield, where in 1862, he succeeded to the banking business of Bernhart, Henn & Co. Having carried on a private bank until August, 1865, the institution was then merged into the First National Bank of Fairfield, of which Mr. FARMER was made Cashier, a position which he continued to fill nine years or until his retirement as a member of the corporation in 1874. The following year, he and his sons, Samuel C. Jr. and Joe F., established a bank under the firm title of Samuel C. FARMER & Sons, which he continued until his death. He was accounted a successful and competent business man and the institution of which he was the head was considered one of the safe moneyed concerns of the county. Politically, in early life, he was a strong Whig; later he became a Republican, with which party he affiliated until toward the close of his earthly career when he espoused the principles of Democracy. He died September 13, 1880, respected by all who knew him.

To Mr. and Mrs. FARMER were born three children, the two younger of whom are living. Anna M., the eldest, now deceased, was the wife of Alexander McCRACKIN; Samuel C. married Miss Cora, daughter of Edward CAMPBELL and is employed in a banking establishment of Chicago; Joe F., who is an employee in the Union Pacific Railroad office of Council Bluffs, married Miss Nellie, sister of C. M. McELROY, editor of the Fairfield "Tribune".

Mrs. FARMER still resides in Fairfield where she has many warm friends and a large circle of acquaintances. She is an active worker in the Lutheran Church and is much beloved and esteemed for her many good deeds.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.