BENJAMIN JOSEPH FARRAR. One of the most extensive and successful real estate dealers of Nashville, Benjamin Joseph FARRAR has here been engaged in this business for nearly half a century, a much longer period than any other man, and during the time has been prominently identified with the highest and best interests of the city. A son of Garland FARRAR, he was born February 17, 1837, in Louisa county, Virginia, coming from Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Matthew FARRAR, who was a farmer, and a soldier in the Revolutionary army, married a Miss MURRELL, and both spent their entire lives in Virginia.
Garland FARRAR was born in Louisa county. Virginia. July 13, 1797, and died in Fluvanna county, Virginia, March 18, 1882. He was well trained in agricultural pursuits when young, and as a tiller of the soil displayed excellent judgment and skill. Locating in Fluvanna county, Virginia, he purchased a large farm, which he operated with slave labor, living there during his remaining years. He married Mary Lily SHEPHERD, who was born, July 6, 1797, in Fluvanna county, and there spent her entire life, passing away June 29, 1874. Her father, David SHEPHERD, was born in Virginia, June 9, 1760, and was a life-long resident of that state, and one of its substantial farmers. He married Mary BASKETTE or Polly BASKETTE, as she was called, and they reared several children, among whom were four sons, namely: Benjamin A. SHEPHERD, who was for a number of years engaged in mercantile business in Nashville, Tennessee, from here going to Houston, in the republic of Texas, where as a banker he amassed a fortune; Joseph SHEPHERD, who was likewise engaged in business in Nashville for a time, but spent his last years in Memphis; James SHEPHERD, who settled first in Granville, Tennessee, but later removed to Texas; and David Garland SHEPHERD, who located permanently in Granville, Tennnessee. Garland and Mary Lilly (Shepherd) FARRAR reared nine children, as follows: David S., Jennetta C., Susan G., John H., Matthew S., Sarah E., Benjamin Joseph, Thomas J., and George Martin. The four younger sons served in the Confederate army, George M. losing his life in the Seven-Days Battles around Richmond. The eldest son, David S. FARRAR, was graduated from the University of Richmond, and afterwards acquired note as an educator, teaching successfully in Goochland, Virginia, and subsequently establishing a military school at Palmyra, Virginia.
As a pupil of his elder brother, Benjamin Joseph FARRAR attended school both in Goochland and Palmyra, and later began his independent career as a teacher in the public schools of Nelson county, Virginia. War between the states being declared while he was thus employed, he enlisted in a company of cavalry commanded by Captain WHITEHEAD, an organization that became Company E, of Radford’s Rangers, being first commanded by Colonel RADFORD, and later by Colonel MUNFORD. Mr. FARRAR was with his command in various engagements, including the Seven-Days fight around Richmond. Immediately after that battle he was captured by the Federal forces, and taken to the old Capital Prison, in Washington, District of Columbia. Exchanged at the end of three months, Mr. FARRAR rejoined his command, and continued in active service for three years.
In 1865 Mr. FARRAR came to Nashville, where his brother, John H., had embarked in mercantile business prior to the war. Soon after taking up his residence in this city, he established himself as a real estate dealer, in 1867 becoming associated with T. P. WEAKLEY and W. J. ARRINGTON under the firm name of Arrington, Farrar & Weakley. Building up a large and lucrative patronage, Mr. FARRAR, with a change of partners, has continued in the business ever since, at the present time, in 1912, carrying on business alone.
Mr. FARRAR has been twice married. He married first, April 5, 1867, Miss Sarah MEGGINSON, daughter of Dr. Ben Cabell MEGGINSON, of Nelson county, Virginia. She died in 1869, leaving one daughter, Laura M. FARRAR who married Rev. Cabell MARTIN, daughter of Dr. MARTIN, and both she and her husband are now dead. Mr. FARRAR married second, in 1872, Mrs. Pocahontas Virginia (Megginson) CHRISTIAN, a daughter of Mrs. A. M. MEGGINSON, and sister of Thomas and Gen. Willis BOCOCK. Mr. and Mrs. FARRAR have one son, namely: Benjamin Joseph FARRAR, Jr., a prominent business man of Richmond, Virginia, who married Marian De Witt WEISIGER of that city, and has two children, Nicholas De Witt and Pocahontas Virginia. Religiously Mr. FARRAR is a valued member of the Christian church, while Mrs. FARRAR is a communicant of the Presbyterian church.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 4, pg. 867-869.
