The Richmond Directory and Business Advertiser for 1856

What I love about the Farrar advertisement is that it confirms what we have talked about as Union Hill’s special heritage as a place where free Blacks and German tradesmen lived side by side prior to the Civil War. The Farrar family was among the free Black population then living in the community. The Farrar family papers are available online, and from them, I found this biographical sketch of J. Farrar’s son:

“Daniel James Farrar was born in Richmond on October 17, 1862. He joined his father in business after attending public schools in Richmond until he was 18 years old. He completed training by his father in three years. The 1910 United States census lists his occupation as a contractor and homebuilder. Daniel married Leah Belle Holmes on May 17, 1888. She was the daughter of George Washington Holmes and Mildred Holmes. He died in March, 1923 leaving his wife, two sons Joseph H. (b. 1892) and Daniel J, Jr. (b. 1897) and two daughters, Leah Belle (b. 1894) Alma R.M. Lucas (b. 1890) and one grandchild, Yvonne Lucas. He designed, remodeled and built the Smallwood Memorial Institute in Claremont VA, the Mechanics Bank Building (where he maintained his office), the Second Street Bank as well as a number of dwellings, apartments, businesses, schools and churches. He was prominently connected with the Masons, IBPOE, Lincoln Republican League and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Evergreen Cemetery Association. Daniel died in March 1923.”