George A. Farr

George A. Farr
Sketch of Farr in a 1901 newspaper
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 26th district
In office
1879–1882
Preceded byCharles D. Nelson
Succeeded byShubael F. White
Personal details
Born(1842-07-27)July 27, 1842
DiedAugust 4, 1914(1914-08-04) (aged 72)
Resting placeLake Forest Cemetery
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Susie C. Slayton
(m. 1879)
Children7
Alma materMichigan Agricultural College
Occupation
  • Politician
  • educator

George A. Farr (July 27, 1842 – August 4, 1914) was an American politician from Michigan. He served in the Michigan Senate.

Early life and education

George A. Farr was born on July 27, 1842, in Tonawanda, New York. At the age of 12, he came to Michigan to live between Adrian and Toledo. He lived on the farm there for three more years.[1][2]

Farr enlisted in company K of the 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment for three months. He was present at the First Battle of Bull Run. He was discharged and re-enlisted and served as a sergeant of 4th U.S. Artillery, Battery M.[1][2][3] He then attended Michigan Agricultural College. He taught intermittently and completed a law course and graduated in 1870.[1][2]

Career

Following graduation, Farr lived in Coopersville. He then moved to Grand Haven. By 1876, he had his own law practice in Grand Haven.[1]

Farr was a Republican. He served in the Michigan Senate from 1879 to 1882.[1][2] He was appointed by Governor John Treadway Rich to replace Charles Hackley as the regent of the University of Michigan on January 11, 1896.[1][2] He worked as collector of customs for the port of Grand Haven from 1897 to 1906.[3] He also served as city attorney, member of the board of education, and district trustee of the Northern Michigan Insane Asylum.[1] He was vice president of the Grand Haven State Bank.[3]

Personal life

Farr married Susie C. Slayton of Stowe, Vermont, in 1879.[4] They had one son and six daughters, George A. Jr., Mrs. Dan F. Zimmerman, Mrs. H. B. Cornell, Mrs. Leroy W. Ranney, Leslie, Carrie, and Sue.[1]

Farr died on August 4, 1914, at his home on Howard Street in Grand Haven. He was buried in Lake Forest Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "George A. Farr Dead After Long Illness". Grand Haven Daily Tribune. August 5, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved December 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e "New Regent!". Muskegon Weekly Chronicle. January 16, 1896. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Ex-Senator Farr of Grand Haven Dead". Grand Rapids Press. August 5, 1914. p. 11. Retrieved December 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Hon. George A. Farr..." Niles Weekly Mirror. November 19, 1879. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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