Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Illustrated
1908, and the History of Fulton County, by Newton Bateman, LL.D. and
Paul Selby, A.M., Edited by Jesse Hevlin, page 869
William A. Farwell - The extremes of poverty amid affluence have
met and harmonized their respective uses in the career of William A.
Farwell, the result being an intelligent, broad-minded, shrewd and
forceful husbandman, the owner of 1,340 acres of land, a generous
contributor to worthy causes, and a forceful supporter of the
character, purpose and prosperity of Fulton County. In his youth Mr.
Farwell had the good fortune to watch his father, John Farwell, grow
rich through legitimate means, and in his maturity he has largely
profited by the industry of the older man, whose mission it was to
stand upon the threshold of history in this part of the State, and
accompany its growing fortunes until his death in September, 1900. His
wife, and mother of the subject of this sketch, passed away when the
latter was three weeks old.
During all his life William A. Farwell has known the early hours
and ceaseless toil of the successful farmer, and only recently has he
laid aside the cares of management and profited by the boon of leisure.
Born on the farm upon which his father settled in 1837, and which his
son still owns, his early advantages were in no way exceptional, or
even different from those of the other farmer lads of his neighborhood.
It is his privilege to recall intimate association with the hardening
experiences of the frontier, with long walks over almost impassable
roads to a primitive institution of learning; to labor in the harvest
field, beginning with the rising and ending with the setting of the
sun; and to endure responsibilities which bore heavily upon both his
physical strength and his good nature. The settling of the paternal
estate fortunately was satisfactory to all concerned, not a dissenting
voice being heard nor a criticism ventured. With this encouraging
nucleus Mr. Farwell set to work to invest and improve, and so wise and
far-sighted have been his operations that, today, he is one of the
largest tax-payers in the southern portion of Fulton County, owning
1,000 acres of land in Woodland Township, adjoining Schuyler County,
and 340 acres in Hickory, Schuyler County. At the present time he has
eight tenants on his land, the greater part of which is under
cultivation.
On August 21, 1885, Mr. Farwell was united in marriage to Annie
E. Engle, who was born near Astoria, Fulton County, October 21, 1886, a
daughter of Andrew and Susan (Mitchell) Engle, the former of whom is
now deceased, while the mother still resides in Canton. Mr. and Mrs.
Farwell are the parents of eight children: Maggie Colista, born April
13, 1886, the wife of Dow Workman, a farmer in Woodland Township; John
W., born November 7, 1887, died December 14, 1887; Susan J., born
November 8, 1888, wife of Hugh Curless, of Woodland Township; Minnie
Josephine, born March 30, 1890; William Darius, born June 12, 1892;
Flossie J., born January 1, 1896; Oliver A., born March 9, 1898; John
H., born March 7, 1900; and Robert R., born December 16, 1902. Mr.
Farwell subscribes to the principles of the Republican Party, and for
many years has been a member of the local Board of Education. He is not
a member of any church, but takes a wholesome interest in the religious
and other institutions, and is one of the most generous men when called
upon to further any worthy cause. His clean and upright life commands
respect and good will, and, as the legitimate owner and custodian of a
large estate, he inspires admiration for his sagacious and thrifty
management and control.
submitted by Sara Hemp
