Farina as
it was in 1933 was described in the Sentinel of Sept. 14,
"As a generous contribution to the community's welfare,
the Farina Woman's Club has purchased and prepared for the
use of the citizens and visitors a beautiful public park,
which was recently dedicated. This public park, obtained
during the time Mrs. J.P. Haley was president of the Woman's
Club, is one of the outstanding assets to which the
community points with pride. "The people of Farina are
proud of their good homes, many of which are of modern
design, well furnished with well kept lawns. A lively
business section also provides for the needs of the people
in a most capable manner.
"Four beautiful churches are pointed
to with pride. They include the Methodist with Rev. W.G.
Wigham as pastor, Seventh Day Baptist with Rev. C. Hill who
has lived in Farina for nine years, Missionary Baptist with
pastoral services every two weeks by the visiting minister
Rev. Hertzel, and the Evangelical Church with Rev. Koch who
is finishing his preparation in St. Louis, MO.
"In Farina's business District may
be found the various establishments that make up a city.
These include C.T. Wade dealing in lumber coal, hay, seed
and grain. and employing four; Wade and Schmidt dealing in
grain, hay and feed and employing two; Haley's General Store
employing eight; Sloans General Store employing five; and
the sound picture show owned an operated by Mrs. Richard
Fain employing four.
"Farina, with its population of 694,
is located on State Highway No. 142 and the Illinois Central
Line to Chicago. It is just across the Marion County
northern boundary in Fayette County. The town is widely
known as a strawberry distribution center for the berries
harvested in the area. The rural community also abounds in
peaches with Elbertas as the favorite and the Bartlett pear
which is grown heaviest around Alma, IL but extends north
into the Farina Community.
"Historical claims are made in the
account. "Farina is located on the Old Lewis and Clark
Vandalia to Vincennes trail over which the explorers
traveled on their trip to Oregon and the Pacific Coast.
Years later this trail was used as a stage coach road. There
was a stage depot five miles east of Farina. The government
erected a tower some 40 years ago during the coast to coast
survey by triangulation. For three months a light was
maintained in the top of the building. Miss Ella Nichols,
who lived right across the field, lit this lamp every
evening during the time of its use... Mrs. Ella Wheeler,
much beloved poetess and philosopher (who wrote "Smile
and the Whole World smiles with you, Cry and you cry
alone") and Mrs. Victoria Woodall, noted suffragette,
made their homes in Farina for a few years.
The Farina Depot was built around 1856
and the first agent was probably Dr. Woodhall, husband of
the famous Victoria. Later T.G. Ransom was agent. He raised
a company and entered the service of the Union during the
Civil War. About 1860, Thomas S. Jones opened the first
store in town and it was kept in part of the old depot. At
about the same time R.W. Austin started the first blacksmith
shop. B.H. Bodwell built a store on the site of what later
became the Farina Hotel, and E. Richardson was employed as
clerk. Mr. Richardson later erected a large store of his
own. Dr. Carter was the first physician.
Mrs. James Green was the first teacher in
the first school house which was built north of the ravine
in Farina. The first church organization was the Seventh Day
Baptist in 1866, and their church edifice was constructed
the following year. Rev. C.M. Lewis was the first pastor. It
was not until 1889 that a newspaper was established. The
Echo, which had a brief existence, was succeeded by the News
which was started by C.R. Davis.
"In 1890 the business part of town
was mostly destroyed by fire, but instead of being a
detriment, the conflagration provided the opportunity for
the erection of a better and more durable class of
buildings.
"Irvin Schmidt is Farina's mayor,
and the other members of the council are Clyde Cooper,
Ressie Bee, Frank Hammond, Harry Coon, A.E. Schmidt, and
Bert Norman. The city's police officer is Roy Keen.
Farina's school system is well along with
the other advancements in the community, having among its
most recent improvements a modern gymnasium and auditorium
for the holding of athletic events and entertainment's
sponsored by the school or other organizations. Both the
grade and high schools are consolidated in the same
building.
George Howard is the principal of the
Farina high school. Other members of the high school faculty
are Viola King, Emma Clark, Vivian Hill and K. W. Hurliman.
Grade school teachers last year were Alice Readnour, Emilie
Switzer, Emma Heicher and Mrs Roy Green.
"Besides the Woman's Club, of which
Mrs. L.L. Hebron is president and Mrs. Joseph Hoffmeister,
secretary, there are other outstanding women's clubs. They
are the Ladies' Aid of the Seventh Day Baptist with Mrs. J.H.
Irish, president and Mrs. Frances Babcock, secretary; the
Ladies Aid of the Evangelical Church with Mrs. Sachem,
president and Mrs. Linda Hohlt secretary; and the Reading
Circle with Mrs. L.L. Hebron as president and Mrs. C.E.
Persells as secretary.
The Odd Fellows Lodge is headed by
Shirley Heift as noble grand and Eugene Hitch as secretary,
Frank Hammond is worthy master of the A.F. and Milton Lacey
is secretary. The modern Woomen (this is the way it is spelt
in the article) of American Camp is headed by Consul Charles
Andrews and Clerk William Hohlt Women's lodges include the
Royal Neighbors, whose leaders is Mrs. L.J. Schram, and Mrs.
Lettie Ferrill is secretary , Violet Pursell is worthy
matron and Emma Milne is secretary of the Eastern Stars