Farrar News, October 1999
Editor: Joseph V. Farrar, Jr. Aguanga, California
Make Your Plans!
Our FARRAR FAMILY REUNION conducts its extravaganza, the
GATHERING-OF-THE-CLAN, at our own Reunion facilities on our brother
Bob’s 200 wooded, rolling acres near Wirth, Arkansas commencing on
Father’s Day each year. All FARRAR’S, FARRAR descendants, FAMILIES and
FRIENDS welcome.
Letter from the editor:
You may all stand tall and take the salute. We doff our hat to everyone
of you. Our Farrar Family Reunion, Inc. accomplished much this past
year. We had three major Reunion approved projects:
1. Purchase of the enclosed utility trailer.
2. Purchase of the bronze plaque for our time capsule.
3. Obtain the right to publish and distribute the two volumes by Miss.
Alvahn Holmes, “The Farrar’s Island Family” and “Some Farrar’s Island
Descendants”. By the dedicated effort of all directly involved and the
extra financial help of many others every one of these projects was
accomplished and paid in full.
Now, as a result of our Reunion 1999 business meeting, and as we
proudly step into the new millennium ever mindful of our history and
our progeny, we have two, new, major projects:
1. To get Miss. Holmes’ Volume II, “Some Farrar’s Island Descendants”,
currently out of print, back into print.
2. To apply to the State of Virginia requesting a standard Virginia
Historical Highway Marker (sign) designating and commemorating the name
“Farrar’s Island”. Efforts on these projects are currently underway.
During Reunion 2000 the office of Vice President, currently held by
Richard A. Farrar, Jr., Hillsboro, MO, becomes vacant. Volunteers
and/or nominations will be in order. Here is your opportunity to step
into a Reunion leadership position. A position where you may let your
thoughts and ideas run rampant; to conjure progressive programs and
projects to continue our forward momentum; to excite and induce more
and more individual and family creative and inspiring events for
interest and growth. We need you. Don’t be reticent. Step right up and
let the world discover you.
ANOTHER LITTLE DITTY
Of all the smells I’ve ever smelled,
I’ve never smelled a smell that smelled
like that smell smelled before.
Grandma Schwend
News of Note
1. During our reunion 99 business meeting Barbara Lee (Farrar)
Williams, Springfield, IL, was unanimously reelected and reinstalled as
our Reunion President for another four year term. Congratulations Barb!
You’re doing a great job.
2. William H. Schwend, St. Louis, MO, has advised his planned book of
the history and lineage of the Schwend/Dennler pedigree should be ready
in a year or so. Also, during the Schwend/Dennler Reunion, 18 July
1999, Highland, IL, he was voted Reunion President. Congrats to you,
too, Bill! Keep up your good work.
3. William H. and Betty Farrar have sold their bowling alley and
acreage and relocated. Best wishes on your new digs, Bill and Betty.
New address: 206 East Finnell Dr., Keytesville, MO 65261. Ph:
660-288-3439.
4. Charles J. and Marleen (Farrar) Bayes, now retired, have moved from
Indiana and settled in nearby Williford. They participated in our
Reunion 99. For this, words cannot express our glee and our joy. Thank
you for sharing, Marnie and Chuck. Bring some more of those delicious
brownies to our next. New Address: Route 1, box 398-A, Williford, AR
72482-9801. Ph: 870-966-4831.
5. Betty Farrar, Keytesville, MO, is hand-making a flag of our Coat of
Arms and Crest to fly beneath our National Flag during our gatherings.
We’ll fly it proudly, Betty!
6. Betty (yes, the very same Betty) is also preparing a skit to be
staged by our many dramatists during our 25th Reunion 2001. The plans
are the volunteer actors will receive a copy of the skit during Reunion
2000 so they may take it home with them to learn their part and to
acquire the special wear and props. It is said, “if one wants something
done give it to a busy person.” this job is in good hands. Thank you,
Betty.
7. Carol (Farrar) Rogers, Bloomington, IL, is preparing a special
dedication ceremony to be presented and shared Father’s Day, Reunion
2000. You’re a jewel, Carol. Thank you for grabbing and running with
this.
Shower of Love
Let’s give Tillie Schwend on her birthday our Clan’s “Shower of Love”!
Mark your calenders: 22 November 1999. All are asked to participate;
even the remotest person reading this. What the heck. Open your hearts.
Spend a couple bucks. Send this elder a card, a call, a flower,
anything. Let her know we know of her, think of her, respect her, love
her. It’s better than flowers to the grave. Make her day.
Send to:
Mrs. Tillie Schwend
c/o St. Joseph’s Home
2223 W. Heading Ave.
W. Peoria, IL 61604-5139
309-673-7425
Excerpted from St. Joseph N/L Spring/Summer 1999
Celebrating 99th year in 99
Three of St. Joseph’s Home’s residents are sharing the wonderful
milestone of becoming 99 years of age this year. Symbolizing 297 years
of life experience through this century, these ladies have seen world
wars, lived through depression times, and watched eighteen presidents
lead the United States. Yet through these changes they have remained
both hopeful and thankful to see 1999, their 99th year.
Mary “Tillie” Willman Schwend, the oldest of four, was born November
22, 1900 in Highland, Illinois “I think I had about all I could ask
for,” she said gratefully. Tillie, a very active St. Thomas parish
member, and her husband Arnold raised their son, Laverne in Peoria
Heights. She worked at the grade school cafeteria as a dishwasher and
enjoyed volunteering at her church.
Though bad eyesight keeps her from past hobbies of reading and
crocheting, she does enjoy the memories of waltzing and doing the
two-step in earlier years. Tillie feels very fortunate that she has not
had any serious illnesses. She has lived at St. Joseph’s Home for eight
years and likes to visit with other residents in the lobby.
When asked which world event effected her the most in these 99 years,
she said living through the Depression years and seeing the recovery
made her family strong survivors. Tillie proudly admitted, “It taught
me to save money!”
Projects
1. Status Report: Volume II Reprint:
The book project is moving forward. We have a sample of the quality of
the book from the printer and a cost estimate. The book order will be
placed within the next few weeks and hopefully, the books will be
delivered within two to three months from that time. Once the contract
has been signed, we will go out to the people that have expressed
interest in acquiring Volume II and ask them to prepay for their book.
In this manner we will reduce the amount of money needed from the
Reunion Fund and still be able to accomplish the project. For more
information, see the web page on the Holmes books or call Randy Farrar
at the number on page two.
Randy Farrar, Project Cooridinator
2. Status Report: Farrar’s Island Historical Marker:
Due to the extensive thinking, planning, and preparation by Gilbert R.
and Louise Shockley, Richmond, VA, all was in readiness upon my arrival
to present our application to the State of Virginia. A last minute
strategy session was held, a cover letter typed, the suggested Marker
wordage and required historical and biographical papers packaged, and
an appointment made. On Wednesday, 25 August, our application was
personally presented to Katherine P. Long, Director, Dept. of
Historical Resources, by Gil and I. A very special “Thank You” to Gil
and Louise for all their effort and their help.
It must be understood, as the Director advised, there is no guarantee
this request will be approved; they have strict rules and guidelines.
Their board meets 15 September. Gil and Louise will keep us informed.
If disapproved we’ll go to Plan B. It has already been discussed with
Walter K. Heyer, Henricus Park Director, and he has obtained County
approval (this is a county park) to erect a County approved sign on the
Park right-of-way.
Joe Farrar, Project Coordinator.
Happenings Along the Road, by Joe Farrar
An afternoon visit with Geneva Farrar, Cave Springs, AR. There we found
cousins Jim Spahr (a Farrar descendant) and his wife Jan, up from Fort
Worth, TX, visiting kin in the area and the old Farrar graveyard.
Breakfast with friends Jack and Raz Giese, sister Barb Williams, and
cousin Bill Schwend at Jumer’s, the Bavarian Inn sitting high on the
bluffs overlooking the Illinois River, Peoria, Il.
Another inspiring visit by Barb and I, this time joined by cousin Bill
Schwend, with Aunt Tillie Schwend, the last surviving member of the
0-10’s mother’s generation. There we were also joined by widowed Helen
Schwend, Tillie’s daughter-in-law, and Sandi Schwend, Helen’s daughter,
Peoria, Il.
A spur of the moment, surprise, two hour visit with nephew Tod Adamo,
Champain, IL. A rewarding, enlightening time well spent with an
outstanding young man.
A warm and friendly breakfast at the Ramada Inn with cousins Carleton
and Doug Wright, up-dating each other on latest Family news and events,
Columbia, TN.
A coordinated, first time, afternoon visit with cousin Virginia
O’Connell, in her lovely home, Huntsville, AL. Virginia, 91 this year,
truly a regal, southern lady, is first cousin to Grandmother Tommie
Farrar. They both descend from Thomas Hunt Bayless (see your Family
Tree). In anticipation of my visit, Virginia had arranged for six
cousins to be present. Five of whom I had never met. four were sisters.
They were Betty Ann Hulsey, Alice Lawler, Mary Nell Drakey, and Shirley
McCormick; and their first cousin Earl Blackmon; all residing in the
general area. Our first cousin Beezie Lindsey, Madison, AL, was also
present. It was so good to see her again after so many years. It was a
good mini reunion with lively conversation, stories told, pictures past
around. This was all capped off with homemade peach cobbler, ice cream,
and soft drinks. A wonderful afternoon. Thank you Virginia.
A visit and tour of the two churches with the fresco paintings. These
two Episcopal Churches, high in the Blue Ridge mountains, small, white
framed, rustic, turn-of-the-century... Holy Trinity in Glendale
Springs, NC and St. Mary’s in nearby West Jefferson, NC... have a
unique, almost miraculous, story of survival and their rare frescoes.
This work, on the order of Michelangelo, have made them world renown
hosting tens of thousands visitors each year. Take a look. Just off the
Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 259.
An idle mind is the devil’s workshop
Grandma Schwend
* Insert
*Insert B
Excerpted from the Village Journal
The Farrar family held their reunion at their campground west of Wirth,
J. V. the eldest of the remaining original family, arrived earlier from
Aguanga, Calif. Others started arriving on Friday and by Sunday 50 had
gathered, coming from a number of states. Father’s Day was celebrated
with a fish fry, furnished and cooked by Nancy and Gary Lehnhof of New
Cambria, MO. Yours truly furnished the annual decorated cake. We were
happy to see many of the younger children present this year, a
testimony that the reunion will continue for a long time. I joined them
again on Monday evening, with Carl and myself joining them Wednesday
evening, Barbara Farrar Williams, of Springfield, Ill., does a great
job of planning each evening’s dinner. J.V. and his son, Randy of San
Diego, Calif., take care of sending out newsletters so everyone is
informed of the week’s menu, as well as other interesting items
regarding family events. Bob Farrar of Mammoth Springs, and his
grandson Kurt Stanford of near St. Louis, have charge of the grounds
and set up the work project for one day of the reunion. This year they
mounted a plaque on the time capsule and put rock around to cover the
cement. They also had numerous other things to take care of which
included a couple of water leaks in the pvc that supplies water from
the tanks to the sinks and shower/rest rooms. Early evening games
involved the younger ones playing volley ball, with many other games
played to a late hour. Jean Farrar Hite of Dripping Springs, Texas,
made a quilt that was raffled off Monday evening with over $200 to add
to the reunion fund. The lucky winner was Carol Farrar Rogers of
Bloomington, Ill. Yours truly was the winner of a small lap quilt or
wall hanging, also made by Jean Hite. Something unusual occurred on
Sunday morning. A couple from Lebanon, Mo. were traveling south on Hwy.
63 out of Mammoth Spring when they saw the Farrar reunion sign posted.
They followed the signs to the reunion, since they are also named
Farrar. They didn’t find a direct link to the ones having the reunion,
but they were aware of one common name that may link them. I am sure
there will be research on this before next year’s reunion, as they plan
to return next year.
By Charlotte Dienst
A THOUGHT
The measure of one’s character is not what they get from their
ancestors, but what they leave their descendants.
Anon