Lake Forest College - Forester Yearbook (Lake Forest, IL)

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Charles Benjamin Farwell '1 Rf , ' 'Q' HARLES BENJAMIN FARXVELL was born in Painted Post, ' fill: X. Y.. ,luly 1, 1823. and spent his boyhood days on a farm. ln Q F- ' 1838 he came west with his parents to a farm in Ogle county. by in this state. His early life was thus trained in the practical ' school of long and tedious hours of labor, yet amid the condi- tions that then produced individuality and strong manhood. He came to Chicago in 1844. and soon entered the office of the county clerk of Cook county. ln 1853 he was himself elected county clerk, a position which he tilled for eight years, and in which he acquired that experience of local politics which made him a growing leader in the organization and direction of the Republican party. ln the meantime he had entered the service of the famous banker, George Smith, whose financial integrity and shrewdness in the days of wildcat currency gave him a national reputation. Mr. Farwell soon became Mr. Smiths right-hand man and cashier and received that superb training in sound financial methods which in after days was to make him one of the wisest of counselors in national affairs. Thus admirably fitted for both private and public business, he entered at the beginning of our civil war period upon a great career as a merchant and a statesman. For forty years he has been engaged as a principal and sagacious partner in building up and conducting the great mercantile house of tl. V. Farwell K Company. yet he found time for live years of service in the lower house of Congress from 1871 to 1876, and another five years in the senate from 1887 to 1891. ln the lower house he was a member of the committee on banking and currency. and was also chairman of the committee on manufactures. Through all these years his sound financial principles were a source of pride to his constituents and of strength to the Republican party. For his influence was far greater than the percentage of his individual vote. and he was. with his energy and clear-cut convictions, a power not only in the preparation of much legislation, but in the direction of national conventions. His voice was seldom heard in public speech: his personality was felt and recognized everywhere. But while his work as a business man. a Hnancier. and a statesman. is a part of our national history and is there written large, he found time for local interests and local services which indicate the broad mind of the man. It is for these especially that Lake Forest loves him and cherishes his memory. ln 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Farwell's oldest daughter was just tinishing at the high school in Chicago. Mrs. Farwell, a highly educated woman, who in her earlier years had been a successful teacher, was thoroughly in favor of co-education. She persuaded Mr. Farwell, inasmuch as nearly all the best collegiate institutions in the country were closed to women, to try the experi- 6

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U. R. FARXVELL 'R'

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ment of a college at home. An abandoned summer hotel in Lake Forest was secured and a number of Miss Farwell's class were persuaded to form a Freshman class. Rev. Robert XY. Patterson, DD., was induced to foster the enterprise as president, several good teachers were engaged, and in Sep- tember Lake Forest college opened its doors to men and women alike. Two years later Rev. Daniel S. Gregory, DD., was called to the presidency. and the fall term opened with a full corps of professors and students in four college classes. For many years from that time Mr. and Mrs. Farwell simply carried the institution, he as a trustee and generous giver. she as a faithful friend and counselor. College hall, North hall, the gymnasium. College commons. Mitchell hall for college women. owe their existence largely to the F31-well purse. During all the years of upbuilding under Dr. G1-egory's stimulating administration Mr. Farwell not only gave generously of his wealth, but even more generously of his time. In trustee meetings, in more general conferences, in frequent visits to the campus and buildings, in unremitting attendance at all public functions. he gave full evidence that he had put his heart as well as his purse into the institution. How well teachers and students of those days knew his stalwart form. his commanding presence. his kind and benignant manner to every young man or woman who approached lllllll Every one who enjoyed Mr. Farwell's friendship knows that he was a loving and a lovable man. No man with his large public career could avoid making enemies, but he made more friends. Charlie Farwell he was in popular parlance, even to old age, and the designation contained a wealth of affection. There was a touch in his hand that was caressing and protect- ing and steadyingg there was a good nature speaking through his crisp and staccato tones that was reassuring: there was a sweetness and sympathetic per- ception in his smile that was commanding and captivating. You threw your- self upon his good will and generosity without conditions. without misgivings, and his response was always sure. He loved Lake Forest, in which he had made his permanent home for more than forty years, and he loved to promote its beauty and welfare. In the town. the church, the club, the school, he did his part more than proportionally. He was a quiet giver of material help as well as of the heart's consolation. and many a wet face at the great gather- ing in his honor indicated a lifelong friend and admirer who had experienced his bounty and his goodness. Large hearted. whole hearted, true hearted, he has gone from us, and Lake Forest will seem very empty without him. He prayeth best. who loveth best All things both great and smallg For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all. JOHN J. HALsEY. 7