Rev. William Wallace Faris

OBITUARY

Dr. W.W. Faris, well known to all of our older citizens, and pastor emeritus, of the First Presbyterian Church, of Miami, Fla., died at his home in that city Monday, March 16. Dr. Faris' health had been failing for 4 or 5 years. He retired from the active ministry five years ago after 50 years of active service.

Dr. Faris was born August 25, 1843, at Barlow, Ohio, the son of the Rev. John McDonald and Anna Elizabeth Faris. He was educated in the high school of Fredericktown, Ohio, Miller Academy of Washington, Pa., and University of Chicago, graduating from the latter school in 1866, and from McCormack Theological Seminary of Chicago in 1869.

He was licensed to preach in April, 1867, and ordained in June, 1868. He was pastor in Vermont, Clinton, Peoria, Carlinsville and Anna, Ill., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Hazelwood Church, Pittsburgh, and Miami, Fla. From 1891 to 1893 he was editor of Occident, SanFrancisco, and during the same time he preached in various churches near San Francisco.

Dr. Faris founded Union Academy, Anna, Ill., and was its principal from 1883 to 1891, and again from 1901 to 1903, and at the same time was pastor of the Presbyterian church of Anna. While principal of the academy and pastor of the church he founded and edited The Talk, an independent weekly newspaper published at Anna, now conducted by a former pupil of 1883. In 1859, his study at Washington College was interrrupted and Dr. Faris taught school in Illinois. His health failing, he went to the Pacific Coast at the age of 18 years, teaching for some years in an academy in Sacramento and in the City College of San Francisco. During 1864, he spent six months in Nevada and then enrolled in the United States volunteers and was commissioned a lieutenant of calvary but was never mustered in because the war ended before the arrival of his commission. He was mustered out of service in November 1865, and returned at once to the East and completed his literary course in the old University of Chicago and entered the ministry, actually beginning to preach in 1866 and serving for a time as Sunday school missionary before taking a church. In 1855 Blackburn College of Carlinsville, Ill., conferred on him the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity. The presidency of this institution was offered him in 1891. On June 22, 1868, Dr. Faris was married in Chicago to Miss Isabella Hardie Thomson, a teacher in the public schools of that city. To them were born 12 children, of whom 10 reached maturity. They are: The Rev. Wallace S. Faris, who died as a victim of famine relief work in China after nine years' service; the Rev. John T. Faris, D.D., editor of the Presbyterian Board of Christian Education of the Presbyterian Church in the United States; the Rev. Paul P. Faris, who served for a time as a missionary in China and who is now on the editorial staff of the Continent, Chicago; Phillip M. Faris, now in business in Los Angeles; Mrs. Charles H. Wiley, of Anna, Ill.; Mrs. Herbert M. King, Mrs. George Armstrong, once a missionary to Porto Rico and later in China, all of Miami; and Mrs. T. Lee Agnew, of Ogden, Ill.; Miss Sara Faris, now a missionary in China. All of these with the exception of the Rev. Wallace S. Faris, are still living. In 1876 the trustees of Dartmouth College awarded Dr. Faris a special prize for that year for an essay entitled "Children of Light", published in 1877 by Roberts Brothers of Boston, an edition which is now out of print. In 1908 he published a little book called "How to Talk With God", which is also out of print. In 1920 he published a small volume entitled "The Christian Home". Besides these he was author of many magazine and newspaper articles, literary and theological. The first of these was published in Scribner's Magazine, August 1873.

Another in the Presbyterian Review and Reform in one of its issues of 1895 attracted attention, and a long series of artcles was published in various periodicals of the Presbyterian Board of Education of Philadelphia.

His literary activity continued until his final loss of health in 1920.

In Miami Dr. Faris was for a short time emergency principal of the public schools in 1900 and later was for several years a member and the chairman of the Dade County Board of Public Instruction.

He became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1868 and in Miami was for a time Worshipful Master of Bay Biscayne Lodge, the first High Priest of Jericho Chapter, R.A.M., and 1901 was Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Florida, F. and A.M.

Besides nine living children, he has 29 living grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Source: Anna, Illinois Democrat, March 27, 1925

FARIS FAMILY REUNION

The Clinton Eye - October 10, 1919

Last Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Clinton was honored by having in our midst members of the Faris family from all over the United States, who came for the reunion of the Faris family in response to the invitation of our fellow townsmen, H. P. Faris, who entertained with a house party of two days and three nights at the Artesian Hotel. Fifteen states were represented.

The guests were happily housed in this building, cots being placed in the lobby for the men and the ladies of the party were put upstairs.

Mr. Faris was assisted in his duties as host by his daughters, Mrs. Harry Finks, of Clinton; Mesdames Harold Winchell and George C. Lingle, of Cisco, Texas.

The dining room and lobby were patriotically decorated independence of red, white and blue. The meals were served in the beautiful Southeast dining room on long tables. Mrs. Oliver Taylor was chief cateress of the affair and she had about a dozen assistants to help make it a success, as it is a big job to feed about 125 people three times a day.

The last reunion of this family was held in 1913 in Tarkio, Missouri, and at this meeting many of the same crowd came together and also many came that did not even know of the existence of the others. Lasting friendships were formed in a short visit together, as well as creating a closer relationship of the family. There was bound to be much merriment, as big, little, old and young were here. Then the wires and mails were flooded with regrets from those who were unable to be present.

The trip on the fresco plug from Kansas City even seemed short, on which nearly 50 of the kinfolks came down having cheers and much frolic, which did away with the monotony of the trip. The cheerleader was Charles E Wolfe, of Kansas City, who is now in the insurance business there, but who for years has been connected with the Leslie magazine. The cheers were:

   So this is Clinton

Oh! My! Oh! My!
Do you ask us
Who are we?
We're the branches
Of the Faris Tree.
This was the other:

   Faris, Faris,

All are we,
Faris, Faris, where's H. P.
Now to those who had never attended a large family reunion, it was indeed an interesting place to go. All were comparing family history. Stacks of Kodak pictures, photographs and family relics were brought so that those here could see the "folks at home," as well as the homes and how they lived at home. The location was a pleasant event and it was decided to make the officers permanent and reunions held oftener.

James Holt, of Kansas City, served his country in France, and his cousin Miss Alma Atkinson, of Norton Kansas, served her country as a nurse in France. Last fall he came wounded to the hospital and she was caring for the fellow in the next bed to his, neither knowing the other was there and each having a homesick longing in their heart to hear from home or see someone they knew and they never found out how near they were to each other until the reunion.

Harry N. Faris, of 540 Truman Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas, was made president and Miss Nellie Flack, of Seaton, Illinois, secretary. It is said that Ms. Flack has more knowledge of the Faris family in her head than any other member. It was Miss Flack, who compiled the family tree of the Virginia Branch of the Faris family, whence this reunion comes. There are eight generations from William Faris and Dorothy Johnson Faris. William was born in the County of Down, Ireland in 1784, and came to VA a year later with his parents. This book was printed a year ago and at the time there were 2475 descendants from this couple and 100 wives and husbands.

The regular reunion opened with a prayer by Reverend W. W. Faris of Miami, Florida. Reverend Faris has been a great creature of the Southland and a contributor to the religious papers. Many of the family had for years read his articles, never dreaming he was a relative.

Then the honor roll and the address of welcome by H P Faris, who was there for every minute of it, in spite of the fact that he had just under undergone two operations on his leg.

Honorable John H. Lucas, of Kansas City, Kansas, gave a masterful address, telling of the life of his host, H P Faris, and his intimate knowledge of his character. He said that he knew he would rather sacrifice his life than a principle, and money nor personal fear would not swerve him from a purpose. Judge Lucas' address moved nearly all his audience to tears.

Alexander Keady of Normal, Illinois, made the response to the address of welcome.

After a two hours' recess for the dinner hour, William Davies Faris, of Bellfountaine, Ohio, spoke of the life of Col. Davies Faris, H P's father, whose 100th birthday was celebrated by this event. He was born October 4, 1819. He was followed by Rev. Dickey pastor of the Presbyterian church, who told of the things he had learned from older settlers of Clinton, of this good man's rugged honesty. He died in 1878, but he was known far and wide as a man, who held honesty and uprightness of living as a standard that was never broken. He told how someone offered to pay him a debt on Sunday, but he would not take it, as it was against his religious principles. He also told the story of a wicked man to whom he sold four cords aboard in the fall from wood which was cut in the spring. The bark all came off and after he delivered the wood, he delivered the bark. The man asked him what made him do it, and he said, "why that belongs to you, so I could not keep it" which caused the wicked man to remark, "this is the damnest honestest man I ever knew."

Mrs. Dora Gaston Julian, of Marengo, Ohio, told of life in Ohio, the state of her nativity and told especially of the "Old Blue Presbyterian Church", near her home, which is now 101 yr. old, which her grandfather and grandmother came and establishrf so many years ago, when they went as missionaries to then, the wilds of Ohio.

The preacher blood has cropped up in nearly all the generations of these families and nearly all are Presbyterians.

Sunday morning Rev. W W Faris of Florida, preached a masterful sermon at the Presbyterian church. Then there was dinner at the hotel. He spoke again that afternoon in the lobby. This was followed by a memorial service for all the boys of this family who lost their lives in the recent war, and for the other members in the family, who had passed away.

Norman Faris, Theodore's son, was killed a year ago on October 5, in the battle of the Argonne.

Samuel Davies Faris was named for the Reverend Samuel Davies, a minister, who reproved King George of England for laughing and talking, when the minister was telling the Gospel story, saying that "when the King of Kings speaks, it is time for the earthly kings to b e silent." This dauntless spirit was inherited by our own H P.

Samuel Davies Faris was born at Elm Grove, West Virginia, October. 4, 1819, where he grew to manhood. He then moved to Marietta, Ohio, where he married Sarah Plumer Preston, October. 10, 1844. They then went to Bellfontaine, Ohio, where all of their seven children were born, moving to LeCompton, Kansas, in 1859, then the capital of Kansas. They lived nine years in that vicinity and saw the smoke of Lawrence, Kansas, when Quantrell made his famous raid. In the fall of 1867, they moved to Clinton, which was his home until his death. His wife died in 1911, at the home of her daughter, Ms. Fanny, in Denver, Colorado.

There were 10 children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and four survive: William Edgar Faris, of La Plata, New Mexico, the only one not present at this reunion of the immediate family; Theodore S. Faris, of Ute Park, New Mexico, Miss Fannie, of Denver, Colorado, and H P Faris, of Clinton. There are 15 grandchildren in this family and 26 great- grandchildren.

H P Faris was born on Christmas Day, 1858. He was a real gift to his parents, as he proved a bright, active worker, ready for any tasks, which presented itself, nothing ever being too hard for him to tackle.

At the age of 14 he entered the office of the Brinkerhoff Trust Company. He was just an office boy, but he soon proved by his eagerness to learn and his bright, quick understanding that he was going to the top. The value of a life is measured by how we use our opportunities. They come to meet us, but we are slow to grasp them and wait for something better to "turn up" and in the waiting we lose our chance in winning the race, because the ideal opportunities seldom appears to us unveiled. He made a study of the land, loan, title and banking business and in fact became so well versed that he is looked upon as one of the leading financiers are the State. He knows values of real estate at once, is quick at making decisions, which are invariably correct.

He, like the rest of the Faris clan, is a Presbyterian. To this church he brings the best that is in him. It can truly be said again that he makes the business of his Master first. No matter what the affairs of his business, his church comes first or the work among the poor and needy for he sees his Master's face "among the least of these little ones."

No one is so down and out or so wicked that in time of their most critical need, but when they turn to H P Faris for help they can get it.

Many, both high and low, criticize, but never a one who offers the criticism, is building for the community needs and offering the helping hands like he is.

Four years he has led in the fight for Prohibition, both locally and nationally and the happiest days of his life have been to see this wartime Prohibition. No trip was too hard for him to make to speak on this clause and his money was also freely given.

Since July 17, he has been bedfast much of the time with a severely crippled knee, caused from an automobile accident, but during these weeks he has directed his business with a telephone at his bedside and got ready for this family reunion of relatives that he had planned weeks before the accident.

The guests thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Clinton and the Artesian Park. Sunday night about 20 of the young people of the crowd visited the Baptist Young People's Union in response to the invitation by the President, John P. Smith. Charles Flack spoke on this occasion. He was four years missionary among the Navajo Indians and now is YMCA Secretary of Premero, Colorado, for this is a great coal mining center. Charles Wolfe, of Kansas City; also Ms. Faris, of Paola, Kansas, who teaches Normal Training in the High School, spoke.

Frank Edgar Faris, born April 4, 1919, was the youngest member present at the reunion. He is the baby son of William Earl Faris, a banker at Mancos, Colorado, and his wife.

There were many gifted and notable people present, whom we do not personalize.

Those who came more:

   David Othello Potter, Jefferson, Iowa

Fanny E. Faris, Denver, Colorado
A Josephine Steere, East Douglas, Massachusetts
R A Marshall, East Douglas, Massachusetts
Vernon T Wethrell, East Woodstock, Connecticut
H P Faris, Clinton, Missouri
Nellie Flack, Seaton, Illinois
Margarette Y Mayrs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marietta Yates, Princeville, Illinois
Albert C. Marquis, Roscoe, Missouri
Alice C. Marquis, Roscoe, Missouri
Minnie Dunn, Roscoe, Missouri
Lena Holler Long, Denver, Colorado
Mrs. Albert Faris, Durango, Colorado
Mrs. John G. Faris, Mount Ayr, Iowa
Ms. Jane McKinney, Walla Walla, Washington
Mrs. Alice S. N Ives, Bellfountaine, Ohio
J. W. Parks, Clinton
Dorothy May Gaston Julian, Marengo, Ohio
E P Julian, Marengo, Ohio
Alex Keady Normal, Illinois
W D Faris, Bellfountaine, Ohio
Harry N Faris and wife, Kansas City, Kansas
Helen Louise Faris, Kansas City, Kansas
Harry H Faris, Kansas City, KS
Dorothy Clare Faris, Kansas City, KS
Elizabeth Johnson Faris, Kansas City, KS
William Hucheson Faris, Jr., Kansas City, KS
John T. Lewis, Clinton, Missouri
Mrs. H C Faris, Washington, KS
Elmer E. Faris and wife, Fairbury, NE
LaFrench Lewis, Clinton
Windt S Faris, Kanapolis, Kansas
W Earle Faris and wife, Mancos, Colorado
Gertrude Faris, Mancos, Colorado
Frank Faris, Mancos, Colorado
Alma Atkinson, Denver, Colorado
Mildred Atkinson, Almena, KS
William Wallace Faris, Miami, FL
Jesse H Faris, Kanapolis, KS
Elizabeth Barnes Faris, Tarkio, Missouri
Charles E. Wolfe, Kansas City, Missouri
Flora Faris Wolfe, Kansas City, Missouri
Samuel A. Faris and wife, Tarkio, Missouri
Minnie Faris Martin, Tarkio
J. E. Martin, Tarkio
Amzi M. Faris, Kanapolis, Kansas
Mabel H. Faris, Kanapolis, KS
Elma Atkinson Shellenberger, Norton, KS
Mrs. G L Atkinson, Norton, KS
Mrs. J. C. Faris, Mount Ayr, Iowa
Ethel Faris Trullinger, Mount Ayr, Iowa
A. C. Manifold and wife, Tarkio, Missouri
John H Flack and wife, Westboro
David Flack, Westboro, Missouri
Mildred Flack, Westboro, Missouri
J. H. Parks and wife, of Marshall, Missouri
Mrs. J. W. Parks, Clinton
James E. Holt, Kansas City, Missouri
G L Atkinson, Norton, Kansas
Ira Atkinson, Norton, Kansas
Ralph Atkinson, Almena, Kansas
E E Faris, Salina, Kansas
H D Atkinson, Almena, Kansas
W F Atkinson, Norton, Kansas
Mrs. L. C. Faris, Denver, CO
Myrtle Conway Peterson, Nashua, Missouri
Francis Virginia Peterson, Nashua, Missouri
Mrs. Elsie V. Holt, Ellsworth, Kansas
Mrs. Charles Flack, Romero, CO
Theodore B. Faris and wife, Ute Park, New Mexico
Charles E Flack, Primero, CO
Charles H. Stewart, Topeka, Kansas
Isabel M Stewart, Topeka, Kansas
Mary Ann Stewart, Topeka, Kansas
William Faris Blaney, Koshkonong, Missouri
H L Winchell and wife, Cisco, Texas
Adda Mary Winchell, Cisco, Texas
Sarah Olivia Winchell, Cisco, Texas
Adda Faris Finks, Clinton, Missouri
Harry F Finks, Clinton, Missouri
Harry Faris Finks, Clinton, Missouri
Robert Mark Finks, Clinton, Missouri
H P Finks, Clinton, Missouri
Clarence I Wilsop, Council Grove, Kansas
William Rusk, Deepwater
Mrs. William Rusk, Deepwater
Zelma M Bell, Gerard, Kansas
Florence Faris Lingle, Cisco, Texas
Florence Waldens Lingle, Cisco, Texas
E L Faris, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
V. S. Faris, L. Reno, Oklahoma
May L. Finley Temple, Breckenbridge, Missouri
Clyde R. Faris, Topeka, Kansas
H V. Faris and wife, Kannapolis, Kansas
Mrs. Louella Parks Shaver, Marshall, Missouri
Charles Howard Shaver, Marshall, Missouri
Francis Parks Shaver, Marshall, Missouri
B F Parks and wife, Marshall, Missouri
Walter E Parks, Marshall, Missouri
John Parks, Marshall, Missouri
Dorothy G Parks, Marshall, Missouri
Paul William Parks, Marshall, Missouri
THE FARIS REUNION

We come from East, we come from West

The members of the Faris clan,

Of all the pleasures, this the best,

The countenance of each to scan;

A true, a sterling worth we see,

Inherent character portrayed,

That for the Faris family tree

Foundation deep and strong is laid.

At Clinton now we congregate

And leave behind our daily care;

We hither come to celebrate

To duly honor our forebears,

Review their lives, their worthiness,

Their messages of faith and love;

The Christian character confess

And point all friends to God above.

A gathering six years ago

Was held that relatives might greet

At my birthplace in Tarkio

And gave the promise of this meet

Since that reunion another died,

My aunt Lizzie and cousin Jim,

They're gone into the farther side

To see our Lord and be with Him.

It fills my soul with joy and pride,

It spurs me on to do my best,

To know whatever may be tied,

I take my stand among these blest;

Why not in 1934

Another celebration be

200th day of William one

Say Harry N and Herman P.!

To Herman P. all praises be

For making possible this crowd

This year the anniversary,

We chant this anthem long and loud:

He gave us this Artesian Park

With its Hotel, so full of Room

That feast and fun should lend a spark

To castaway distracting gloom.

We vote our heartfelt thanks to him,

Although we do it silently,

For putting through this gathering

On his responsibility.

His name this day we now revere

As he sits there before our eyes

And thus accord a wish sincere,

We rise and swell it to the skies.

CLARENCE I. WILSON

Council Grove, Kansas

Tuesday morning the postman surprised HP Faris by bringing him a dozen handsome roses from Kansas City, with the card "Herman P. Faris and Family, from the relatives leading on the 8:45 Frisco. With much love" for which the family returns heartiest thanks.

A resolution of thanks was voted to be extended the Clinton Chamber Commerce, who had intended to give the visitors an automobile ride over the city. 25 cars had been promised, but the ride was prevented by the severe thunderstorm all Saturday afternoon.

They also voted banks to Daniel both Belleau Potter, of Jefferson, Iowa, who arrived early and did everything possible for the comfort of the other members of the family, being the host's most able assistant in directing the reunion.

A vote of thanks was also extended the Daughters of the American Revolution for the invitation to the ladies to attend the Missouri Date program and reception at the home of Ms. Lawrence Crotty Monday afternoon.