| Squire Farrar was born to John and Emma (Field) Farrar on Sep 8, 1840 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. An England census record from 1841 lists Squire, 9 months, his father John and his mother Emma worked as wool combers. They are living on Victoria St. in Bradford. John and Emma had two more sons while living in Bradford; Samuel and John Field Farrar.
In 1848 John and Emma brought their young family to America. They first settled in Lawrence, Essex, MA. They found work in the woolen mill there and stayed for a number of years. Their daughter, Elizabeth Emma “Lizzie” was born in Lawrence.
In 1860 Squire was still living with his parents and siblings in Lawrence, MA. His father, John is listed in the census as a laborer, Squire and his brother John are listed as operatives. Squire was 19 years old.
Squire came to Salem, Oregon in 1865. His parents and siblings followed a couple of years later. Squire’s father John became a pioneer grocer in Salem. John’s sons Squire and John Field worked with him in the grocery business. He later sold out to his sons.
Squire married Ellen Amelia Hatch on May 11, 1867. Their daughter Myrtle was born on September 25, 1868. Squire’s wife Ellen Amelia, passed away on December 26, 1868, at the age of 20. Their daughter Myrtle passed away on January 16, 1869, when she was less than a year old. They are both buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, OR. Squire’s brother John married Ellen’s sister Abbie Hatch in Nov 1870.
The 1870 census lists Squire and John Field Farrar as grocers. They are living together. Their parents, brother Samuel and sister Lizzie live nearby at Water and Center St. John is listed as a laborer in the census, he was a grocer.
Squire was married for a 2nd time to Martha Jane Watt on March 7, 1871. This marriage was also short lived. Their son Joseph Watt “Joe” was born on October 16, 1871. The baby survived but his mother, Martha Jane passed away on October 23, 1871. She too is buried in the Farrar plot in the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, OR.
By 1875 the Farrar’s had expanded their grocery business. It was now called Farrar Bros Grocers and there were two stores. One on the corner of Court and Commercial, the other on Ferry and Commercial.
Squire married for a 3rd time to Isabelle Atkinson, on January 28, 1878. In 1879 Squire’s brother John Field Farrar sold his share of the grocery business to his brother and it became Squire Farrar & Co.
In April 1885 Squire and Isabelle welcomed a daughter, Gladys Atkinson Farrar.
In 1886 Squire sold one of his grocery businesses to the Weller brothers. He kept the grocery on Commercial & Court. Squire was very involved in many aspects of life in Salem, Oregon. In March 1886 Squire and M. L. Chamberlin were appointed by the executive committee to solicit contributions among Salem business men to pay for the survey and surroundings taken of the river for the proposed bridge across the Willamette.
On April 19, 1887 Squire and Isabelle welcomed a son Russell Johnson Farrar.
In 1889 there was not only talk of a bridge being needed in Salem; there was also a continuing conversation about needing a woolen mill. July 1889 articles of Incorporation were filed before the secretary of state. Creating the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Company in Salem Oregon. With Thomas Kay, Squire Farrar and C. P. Bishop as incorporators.
In March 1890 the woolen mill opened. Squire is one of the founders and the president of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Squire continues to run his grocery business during this time with his partner John Van Eaton.
In April of 1890 Squire relocated his family to Portland for the purpose of furthering the interests of the woolen mill at the metropolis of Oregon. He keeps his interest in the grocery firm of Squire Farrar & Co but his partner takes on the main duties.
By 1891 Squire had returned to Salem; his family was living at 221 Court St. His father John passed away in that home March 10, 1891. His mother Emma A passed away in this home as well, on July 20, 1900.
On January 30, 1892 Squire and Isabelle had one more child, Genevieve. Again grief would strike this family. Baby Genevieve passed away on September 15, 1892. She is also buried at the Pioneer Cemetery.
Along with his work at the woolen mill and his grocery business, Squire became a hop commission merchant. In 1902 he was elected to the Oregon State Senate and held that position for a four year term.
When Theodore Roosevelt was President in 1906, Squire was appointed postmaster of Salem He held that position for over six years when an election changed Squire’s career. Squire went back to the woolen mill business and became Vice President of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.
Around 1915 Squire’s health began to fail and he moved to Portland where the family was living in the Laurelhurst addition.
On Feb 9, 2017 Squire died at his home,119 Hazelfern Place in Portland and is buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, Oregon. |
