Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
William S. Farlow
In perusing the history of William S. Farlow it will be seen that he is a man of strong convictions of right and duty, and that once having made up his mind as to his proper attitude on any subject of great importance, he acts accordingly, and is undeterred by opposition and difBculties.
The parents of our subject were Enoch and Mary Farlow, natives of North Carolina, in which state they spent their entire lives. William S., one of their seven children who attained maturity, was born August 27, 1832, and grew to man's estate in North Carolina. When twenty years of age he married Louisa Beckerdite, who has been a loyal companion and helpmate, aiding him in all his labors and sympathizing and sharing in his trials.
Although born and reared in a state that was one of the most prominent in the southern confederacy, Mr. Farlow was opposed to secession and determined that he would not take up arms against his country. It became necessary, therefore, early in 1861, that he should leave what has been termed the "hot-bed of the Confederacy," and, though it cost him a severe struggle ere he could make up his mind to leave the loved friends and associations of his youth, he made the sacrifice, and with his wife and their four children started for the north, in a wagon which contained only a few of their choicest treasures, the rest having to be left behind. Four other families, of like sympathies, from the same state accompanied the Farlows, but the war had already begun, and the little cavalcade was confronted with dangers and difficulties on every hand, as they proceeded on their journey. So disheartened did some of them become, that one famil)' returned to their former home. Such was not the metal of which Mr. and Mrs. Farlow are made, and at last they had the great satisfaction of crossing the Ohio river, and feeling themselves safe from persecution and interruption. They reached Dalton township, Wayne county, Indiana, June 23, 1861, and in this immediate vicinity they have since dwelt, esteemed and respected by all who know them.
It was the great desire of Mr. Farlow to enlist in the defense of the Union early in the war, but as he and his family had escaped from the south with but little save their lives, his first duty was to provide for their necessities. As the conflict became more and more serious and deadly, he watched and waited at home until he could no longer endure it, and in September, 1864, this true patriot enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and going to the front served faithfully until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. He took part in the various encounters with the Confederates in which his regiment was engaged, went on the famous Wilson's raid, and was at Macon, Georgia, when news of the cessation of the war came to him. Though he suffered no wounds, his health was somewhat impaired, and that more or less permanently. He has given his chief energies to agriculture since his return home, and has met with deserved success.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Farlow seven are living, namely: Lorenzo D., John F., David L., Schuyler Colfax, William E., Roxanna (wife of Dr. Covald;, and Myrtle L., who is at home. Elwood was killed by a horse when six years of age; Enoch L. died when in his sixth year, and two others died in infancy. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Fraternally, Mr. Farlow belongs to Cassius M. Leonard Post, No. 505, Grand Army of the Republic; Dalton Lodge, No. 529; and Wayne Encampment, No. 186, I. O. O. F. He uses his franchise in favor of the Republican party, was elected justice of the peace and in that capacity served to the satisfaction of all until 1884, in which year he was honored by being made trustee of Dalton township. As such he served for two terms, or four years, and in 1895 he was re-elected and is still acting in this responsible office.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899