NOAH FARNER, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Jackson County, residing on section 13, Somerset Township, was born in Somerset County, Pa., November 30, 1834. He is the son of Abraham and Caroline (Oaks) Farner, natives of Pennsylvania, whom he accompanied at the age of nine years to Illinois, and settled with them in Jackson County. The journey hither was made by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to a place then known as Bennett's Landing, whence they came by wagon to Somerset Township.
Locating near Elkville, Abraham Earner there for a time operated a rented farm and remained in that neighborhood for several years. Subsequently he removed to De Soto Township, of which he was a pioneer, settling in the woods and erecting a log cabin for the home of his family. It fell to his lot to do a large amount of frontier work, but being stalwart and rugged, he was enabled to secure profitable results from his labors. Shortly after locating in De Soto Township he was bereaved by the death of his estimable wife, whom he survived for a number of years, passing away in 1878. A man of energetic and forceful disposition, be was highly regarded by the people of Jackson County, and was especially prominent in the public affairs of DeSoto Township.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life in Jackson County. In the subscription schools of the neighborhood he obtained the rudiments of his education, but the obstacles to progress were many. The mode of instruction, was crude, the text books unsatisfactory, and the building itself no better than the books. However, in the school of experience he has learned many lessons not taught in books, and his efforts have been so constant and thorough that he is now a well informed man.
In the year 1866 Mr. Farner married Miss Rosanna Knights, who died after having become the mother of four children. Of this family one alone survives, a daughter, Dora. May 30, 1880, Mr. Farner was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Fager, who was born in Germany January 26, 1848. At the age of five years she accompanied her parents, Sebastian and Mary A. Fager, from their native land to America, and locating in Jackson County, her father afterward assisted in the construction work of the Illinois Central Railroad. Later he settled in Somerset Township, where he died September 17, 1889. His wife passed away January 28, 1862. Four of their children are now living: Mrs. Farner, John, Philip and Daniel B.
Through energetic efforts Mr. Farner has acquired the ownership of a valuable farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. While devoting his attention closely to agriculture, he also finds time for the consideration of matters of public import. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as School Director. In religious matters he is liberal, though inchned to the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife is a member. During the Civil War he enlisted, August 1, 1862, as a member of Company K, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and became a factor of the Army of the Cumberland, participating with his regiment in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamaugua, Mission Ridge and other minor engagements. He went as far south as Atlanta, and afterward took part in the battle of Nashville. Altogether he was actively engaged in nineteen battles. Three times he was wounded, and is now in receipt of a pension of $12 per month. After an honorable service of almost three years he was discharged at Camp Butler, in 1865. He is an active member of DeSoto Post No. 564, G. A. R., and has served as its Junior Vice-Commander.
Extracted 22 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 521-522.