FLOYD E. FARR
Floyd E. Farr is the proprietor of the Rexall Drug
Store and is one of the most able, progressive and successful
business men of Humeston.
He was born in Macon, Missouri, January 4, 1878, and is
a son of William E. and Hattie (Sagiser) Farr and a grandson
of Edward Farr who lost his life during the Civil war. The father of our
subject was born in Missouri, December 9, 1852, and is at
present residing in Kansas City, at the age of sixty years. His wife was a
native of Pennsylvania, born October 17, 1854, and her death
occurred on the 26th of November, 1898. In their family
were three sons, all of whom were born in Macon, Missouri,
namely: Floyd
E., of this review; Sydney B., a resident of Kansas City,
Missouri; and Homer L., also a resident of that city.
In the acquirement of an education Floyd E. Farr
attended the public schools of Macon, Missouri, and Cowgill,
of the same state. When
he began his active career he came to Humeston and entered the
employ of H. C. Ady, who was engaged in the drug business
here, and afterward he was with the Benge Drug Company. When Mr. Farr left
his first position he went to Corydon as manager of the
Shipley Drug Company in that city but eventually he returned
to Humeston and re-entered the employ of the Benge Drug
Company. Afterward
he went into business for himself, conducting a drug store of
his own at Cambria for two years, disposing of his enterprise
in order to assume the management of the Stevens Drug Store in
Kansas City, where he remained for six months. At the end of that
time he returned to Humeston and purchased his present
establishment, which he has since conducted. The scope of the
business has been expanded beyond the limits of Mr. Farr’s
original idea and the store now contains departments in which
are handled wallpaper, paints, Eastman kodaks, Edison
phonographs, Haviland chinaware, silverware and jewelry,
besides a complete stock of drugs and drug sundries. Mr. Farr is also
agent for the famous Rexall remedies. Matson Bennett has
been assisting him in the conduct of his establishment for the
past three years and Theophile Kaznearchak is at the head of
the jewelry department.
His store is one of the finest of its kind in this part
of Iowa, its flourishing condition being entirely due to the
earnest and well directed efforts of the owner, who is a
shrewd, able and resourceful business man and a powerful
factor in the general commercial growth of his community.
On November 29, 1899, Mr. Farr was united in marriage
to Miss Elsie B. Humeston, who was born in White Breast, Lucas
county, Iowa, November 29, 1879, a daughter of Alva and Annie
E. (Brown) Humeston, the former a native of Trumbull county,
Ohio, born August 12, 1852, and the latter of Stark county,
Illinois. The
Humeston family is one of the oldest and most prominent in
this part of Iowa and Alva Humeston is one of the broad,
liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens of the community
in which he resides. Mr.
and Mrs. Farr have become the parents of one daughter, Helen
Maxine, who was born in Humeston, January 14, 1906. Mrs. Farr is a
member of the Christian church.
Fraternally Mr. Farr is affiliated with Fidelity Lodge,
No. 228, A. F. & A. M., and his political allegiance is
given to the republican party.
He is widely known in his locality, where he has lived
for many years, his upright and honorable character winning
for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is
associated. His
career furnishes a splendid example of the power and force of
determination and enterprise, for his path to success has been
by no means clear of obstacles.
His stock was twice destroyed by fire, once at Cambria
and once at Humeston, but Mr. Farr did not allow himself to
become disheartened, facing his reverses with confidence and
courage and finally winning a substantial measure of
prosperity.