Springfield-Greene
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OSCAR FRANKLIN FARMER. Although Oscar Franklin Farmer has long been sleeping the "sleep that knows no waking," like the great huntsman and Scottish chieftain, of whom we read in Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake," he is still remembered by many of the older residents of the northern part of Greene county as an excellent business man and helpful citizen--one of the sturdy pioneers who did much for the early development of his locality, and his name is therefore entitled to special mention in the present volume.
Mr. Farmer was born on August 15, 1835, in Tennessee, but was a mere child when he emigrated with his parents, Moses Farmer and wife, to Missouri, the family locating in Cass county on a farm, where Oscar F. grew to manhood and received a common school education, and he was married near Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to Jane Wann, to which union two children were born, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, who lives in Washington state, and Charles O., deceased.
Oscar F. Farmer remained in Cass county until 1865 when he removed with his family to Greene county and located in Cass township, purchasing the old Evans grist-mill which he operated for four years, supplying the early settlers with the material of which they made their bread, many of his customers coming from very remote distances, for grist-mills were few in those days. In connection with his mill he also operated a farm successfully. Later he traded his mill to Samuel Appleby for a farm of one hundred and twenty acres where his widow now resides. In the early development of Willard, Mr. Farmer was active, establishing a general store when he first came here, and operated the same until his death, which occurred on October 8, 1887, at the age of fifty-two years. His widow subsequently sold the store to David Appleby. Mr. Farmer's second wife was Anna Appleby, whom he married in 1870. She is a daughter of William and Emily (Hurt) Appleby, both natives of Tennessee. To the last marriage of Oscar F. Farner was born five children, namely: Fred, who lives in Springfield; Samuel, a farmer of this township; Claude, who lives in Willard; Carl, whose death occurred in 1913, and John, who is living in Willard.
John and Claude Farmer now operate a general store in Willard, under the firm name of Farmer Brothers, and are doing a large and thriving business, both being active and energetic and good respectable citizens who have the confidence of their many customers.
Mrs. Anna (Appleby) Farmer was born on August 6, 1848, in Cass township, Greene county, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the early-day schools. She is making her home with her son, John Farmer. She is a quiet home woman of noble character. Her father, William Appleby, was born in 1806, and his death occurred in Greene county in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Emily Hurt, was born in 1808, and died in 1861 at the age of fifty-three years. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Mrs. Eveline Williams is deceased; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Cassander Looney lives in Boone township, Greene county; Anna, widow of the subject of this sketch; John lives in Cass township, this county; two children died in infancy.
The Farmers have been one of the best known and most influential families of Willard and Murray township from the pioneer days to the present and have all borne good reputations.
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