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Farrar, Bernard Gaines, Jr. (August 5, 1831-June 6, 1916)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: August 5, 1831 - June 6, 1916

Biography

Bernard Gaines Farrar, Jr. was born August 5, 1831, in St. Louis, Missouri. His father, Bernard Gaines Farrar, Sr., was the first medical (surgeon) doctor of American descent to set up permanent residence west of the Mississippi. His mother, Ann O’Fallon Clark Thruston, was the niece of William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition.

Farrar, Jr. attended St. Louis University, Norwich Military Academy of Vermont and the University of Virginia. After he completed his studies, he returned to St. Louis where he concentrated on real estate and other similar business ventures. On June 14, 1852, he married Isabel Jerdone Mitchell; they had four children: Alexander Mitchell Farrar, Frank Jerdone Farrar, Ann Clark Thruston Farrar and Bertie Cecil Farrar.

Mustered into the military service at the old arsenal at St. Louis, he was almost immediately appointed aid-de-camp on the staff of General Nathanial Lyon. After the battle of Wilson’s Creek and the death of General Lyon on August 10, 1861, he was appointed as Provost-Marshal-General for the Department of the Missouri by Major-General Halleck, where he served until October of 1862. In that same year he recruited and organized the Thirteenth Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, which became part of Frank P. Blair’s Brigade. Farrar served under General Grant in the Mississippi Campaign and was in command of Blair’s Brigade at the siege of Vicksburg. After that he commanded the District of Natchez, and was brevetted Brigadier-General March 9, 1865.

In May of 1865 Farrar resigned his commission in the army and began his civilian life in St. Louis, becoming one of the leading citizens of the city. President Harrison appointed him Assistant Treasurer of the United States, an appointment he held four years. On February 23, 1889, Farrar was elected a Companion of the Missouri Commandery of Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) with insignia #6855. He served as Senior Vice Commander (1909-1910) and Commander (1910-1911).

Bernard Gaines Farrar, Jr. died June 6, 1916, two months and four days after the death of his wife Isabel.



Sources: 1. Mo Commandery of MOLLUS. http://home.usmo.com/~momollus/CiCmtg/Farrar.htm. 2. Encyclopedia of the History of St. Louis, c. 1899, Southern History Co. 3. http://www.findagrave.com/.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Bernard G. Farrar Jr. Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0101
Scope and Contents The Bernard G. Farrar, Jr. Collection was purchased from Charles Agvent Rare Books and Autographs in 2005. The collection consists of eight letters, all written during the Civil War by Bernard Gaines Farrar, Jr., and addressed to his wife Isabel. Most of the letters were written or appear to have been written during 1864, although they are not all dated completely. One letter in particular, dated July 1 (no year given), could possibly have been written in 1863 during the Siege of Vicksburg....
Dates: 1864