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Eugene Ellis Farnham^[1343]

Born: 02 DEC 1867 Ludlow, Vermont

Died: 27 MAR 1939 Carrollton, Missouri

Married: 03 JUL 1890 Carrollton, Missouri

AGE: 71 years, 3 months, 25 days

Minnie May Kennedy

Born: 11 FEB 1868 Carroll County, Missouri

Died: 15 NOV 1936 Carrollton, Missouri

AGE: 68 years, 9 months, 4 days

Eugene was born in Ludlow, Vermont to John Fred Farnham and Sarah Foster Seavy. The family later moved Lathrop, MO., the settled in Carrollton. Eugene had many activities growing up and was well known for his swimming ability. The Hein’s Lake Park was a popular location for entertainment such as Music Band Stand, Boating, Bathing, Fishing, and Skating. Eugene was a member of the “Hein’s Lake Frog Eating Club” where he entered a contest, and won for the most frog legs eaten! Eugene attended the First Methodist Episcopal Church on North Folger Street. He was the School Director for the Carrollton school district for 12 years. The population of Carrollton in 1910 was 3,854. The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) was chartered in Carrollton 12 MAY 1898; the charter was arrested in 13 JUN 1935. A new charter was arrested in 7 APR 1937. Eugene was a charter member of the BPOE. The largest membership was 182 in 1920. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Philadelphia lodge #38 was chartered 15 MAR 1849 in Carrollton.

The Carrollton Historical Society publication, “The History of Carroll County, Missouri"^[1](©1911) contains the following description of Eugene:

"It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of Eugene E. Farnham, well known florist of Carrollton, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him, for while laboring for his individual advancement he has never neglected his duty in forwarding such movements as have made for the general up building of Carroll county.

Mr. Farnham is the scion of a sterling old family of the New England country, he himself having been born at Ludlow, Vermont, December 2, 1867. He is the son of John F. and Sarah F. (Seavy) Farnham, both natives of Maine, the father born in Brooksville and the mother in East Machias. There they grew to maturity, were educated and married.

Eugene E. Farnham was but a small child when his parents came west. He was educated in the public schools of Carrollton and began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store, which he followed about five years, giving entire satisfaction to his employers and learning the ins and outs of the business. For twenty years he has been part owner of the Hillside greenhouses, under the firm name of Kennedy & Farnham, one of the best known and most popular in this section of the state in this line of business, having carried on for two decades a very satisfactory and ever increasing business, shipping their output to all surrounding towns and to other counties. Their plant comprises twenty-five thousand square feet and is one of the best in Missouri. They handle a great variety of cut flowers, plants and bulbs and are thoroughly up-to-date in the sphere of floriculture.

Mr. Farnham was married on July 3, 1890, to Minnie May Kennedy, daughter of George W. (and Eliza Jane Kingen) Kennedy, the business partner of Mr. Farnham and one of Carrollton's leading citizens ^[3]. Three children, two of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Farnham, namely: Laila and Charles, both at home, the other, Harry died young.

Mr. Farnham's time is practically consumed at the greenhouse, but he also has a large dry cleaning establishment in Carrollton.

For many years Mr. Farnham has been interested in political affairs and in the general up building of the city and community. Consequently the people have recognized his public spirit and his general qualifications as a public servant and he was called upon to serve as mayor of the city of Carrollton for a period of two years, 1908 and 1909, having been elected on the bi-partisan ticket. He discharged the duties of the same in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was elected councilman of his precinct for a term of two years at the last election. He was school director for a period of twelve years, during which time the cause of education here received a great impetus. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a worthy member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and takes an abiding interest in church matters. Personally Mr. Farnham is a very pleasant gentleman to meet, kind, generous and obliging, and his unswerving honesty has won the confidence of all who know him. own. "

Minnie was born on a farm near Bosworth, Missouri to George Washington Kennedy and Eliza Jane Kingen. Minnie and her parents moved to Carrollton when she was a small child and started attending grade schools through high school graduation. Her father owned the Hillside Greenhouse and while growing up she helped her father around the Greenhouse when she wasn’t in school.

After her marriage to Eugene, Minnie worked at the Hillside Greenhouse, the Farnham’s Cleaning Shop, and for the Carrollton county clerk. She signed many marriage and birth certificates for the residents of Carroll County that period of employment. Eugene and Minnie also owned the Cinderella Beauty Parlor where she and Laila worked as Beauticians. Minnie trained in Kansas City, Missouri on the skills of hair permanents. The Cinderella Beauty Parlor was the first in Carrollton and the first “Perm” was given to Helen Louise Harper ^[8]. A “Perm” would cost the patron $3 - $8 depending on the desired style, and in 1933 Ann Shott was advertised as the Cinderella Beauty Shoppe Operator ^[2]. Minnie enjoyed raising her prize winning Angora cats for the Kansas City pet stock show where she brought home many 1^st prize ribbons. Behind the house on 812 North Main St., Minnie chose to have a 2 car garage built which still stands to this day. The talk of the town was the question, “Why is Mrs. E.E. Farnham having a 2 car garage built?” The humorous answer to the question was, “Because she can!”^[6] Minnie (Mamoo to the grandchildren) didn’t like deep water in the bathtub. She claimed anything above 2” would make her feet float up ^[6]. Mamoo was pronounced by her grandchildren two different ways; ‘MawMoo’ by Eugene H. & Charleen, and ‘MaMMoo’ by Joe & Eliza Dickson. Charleen always thought ‘MaMMoo’ was the stupidest thing she ever heard!

Minnie was very active in the First Baptist Church on North Main Street and sang in the church choir. Her singing voice was so beautiful and well known, and she quite often sang at weddings and funerals. Minnie and Laila were performers in the Carrollton Wilcoxen Opera House performance of the “Merry Milkmaids”^[5]. Minnie’s costume and makeup as an Indian Fortune Teller had baffled the Carrollton citizens as to her identity until they heard her beautiful musical voice. In addition to church activities, she belonged to The Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Vesta Chapter. The OES is a charitable organization and is a subordinate Masonic organization. Minnie’s father, George, was a Mason and this is most likely one of the reasons for her membership in the organization. There were many articles printed in the Carrollton Daily Democrat which announced various charity dinners to raise money for several causes. Turkey, ham, possum, and oyster charity dinners, with fine pastries & pies, seemed to have been some of the favorite menus.

Eugene became a business partner with his Father in law, George W. Kennedy, in the Hillside Greenhouse in 1891. George started the business in 1888 and grew vegetables, flowers, shrubs, trees, and fruit. The Hillside Greenhouse had 5 hot houses and 12,000 sq. feet of glass. The partners hired E.C. Heinbaugh as manager in 1900 and offered “Cut Flowers and Funeral Designs” ^[2] as an additional product. Eugene managed the business with his Mother in law, Eliza Jane, after George W. Kennedy died in 1905. The Hillside Greenhouse used a Ford model T truck, with a glass cargo box decorated as a greenhouse, to make all their deliveries. On one occasion, while Eugene was making deliveries the truck became involved in an accident, which resulted in the glass body being shattered. On the occurrence of this incident, Eugene was so angry with the results that all he could do was rapidly blow air through his pursed lips and fume, which he usually did on occasions of anger ^[4]. Eugene sold the Hillside Greenhouse in 1928 to focus on his Dry Cleaning business, and Minnie’s Cinderella Beauty Shop.

It is noted that Charles K. and Aileen Farnham operated the Hillside Greenhouse for a period of time (20 OCT 1933) and lived in a house next to the greenhouses.

18 MAR 1908 Carrollton Democrat Advertisement:

“The 21^st annual catalog of the Hillside Greenhouses has been issued from this office. Messrs. Kennedy & Farnham are keeping their greenhouses up to high standard of former years, and this season the supply of flowers is longer than ever before and the prices, as usual, are as low as the quality they sell can be sold. This firm is also the largest dealers in cut flowers in West Missouri, and they daily fill orders for funerals for 100 miles north, east, and south. In addition to all kinds of flowers, the firm also keeps a large stock of vegetable plants of every description. The firm is in every way responsible, never substituting, and hence you get just what you pay for. Drop them a post card and get a catalog.”

Eugene and Minnie were very active in the Carrollton community and were held in high esteem for all their contributions and generosity towards the citizens of Carroll County. They believed that the community contributed to their wealth by patronizing their businesses and in turn reinvested back into the community with charity and donated time. This left lasting impressions of kindness, sincerity, and warmth by all the community members who fondly remembered them ^{[4] [6] [7] [8][9]}.

During my interview with 92-year-old Eva Williams of Carrollton in September 2004, she presented me with a small case containing a small trimming scissor. The scissor was a gift to her from Minnie Farnham when Eva was a small child visiting her grandmother Saluda Smith at the Farnham Cleaning Shop. At the time, Eva’s grandmother worked for the Farnham’s as a seamstress doing alterations to clothing. Eva had kept the scissors for more than eighty years. Eva and her daughter, Karen Harsh, also presented a stock certificate for the Vertical Aeroplane Company which Eugene had convinced Eva’s father to buy. A copy of the certificate, a link to the patent description, and the Carrollton Democrat article about the inventor can be found in the reference section.

Eternal Rest:

On Friday, 13 NOV 1936, Minnie was admitted to the Scovern Hospital in Carrollton for severe abdominal pain. After the examination, Dr. Scovern gathered the family members outside the hospital for consultation about her physical condition. He announced that she would die if an operation was not performed to remove her gall bladder. Dr. Scovern also stated that if she did undergo the surgery, that her chances of survival were very slim and that she would probably die anyway. He asked the family what they would like him to do for Minnie. The family decided if there was a slim chance of survival, then she would need to have the surgery performed. The surgery was conducted, but the results were terminal. Sunday morning at 5:44 am., 15 NOV 1936, Minnie died from her illness^[9]. Minnie’s Death Certificate states the cause of death as acute Suppurative Cholecystitis (Ruptured Gallbladder which caused Peritonitis).

On the evening of 27 MAR 1939, Eugene was invited to Lee and Laila Dickson’s home (115 E. 3^rd St.) for supper. After the meal, Eugene retired to the living room rocker to read the evening paper. At approximately 7 pm., Laila came into the living room to check on Eugene and discovered that he had quietly passed away ^[9] .

Eugene' Death Certificate states the cause of his death as Cerebral Embolus (Cerebral Stroke). At the time of his death, Eugene was living in an apartment above the beauty shop that he still owned. His estate only amounted to the equipment in the beauty shop, a few furniture pieces, a gas heater, and a radio. A total value of $35.50

Eugene and Minnie are buried at Oak Hill Cemeteryin Carrollton, Missouri.

Residence Locations:

1920: 207 E. Washington, Carrollton, Missouri

1933 – 1936: 812 North Main St., Carrollton, Missouri

1939: 115 East 3^rd St. Carrollton, Missouri

References:

RCFR# : Register number used in Russell Clare Farnham's book: The New England Descendants of The Immigrant Ralph Farnum of Rochester, Kent County England and Ipswich, Massachusetts. A register number was assigned by Russell to each descendant of Ralph Farnum in his book and is listed here for your reference.

^[1] Carroll County Missouri 1910 – 1968, Carroll County Historical Society, Walsworth Publishing Company

^[2] Carrollton Daily Democrat, 30 AUG 1900

^[3] Carroll County, Missouri Marriage Certificate, 3 JUL 1890

^[4] DEC 1997 Oral History of Eugene Harper Farnham, Edwards, Missouri

^[5] Carrollton Daily Democrat 1909.

^[6] SEPT 2004 Oral History of Charleen Farnham Leone, Kansas City, Missouri

^[7] SEPT 2004 Oral History of Eva Williams, Carrollton, Missouri

^[8] SEPT 2004 Oral History of Helen Louise Harper Wilson, Kansas City, Missouri