He was the son of Joseph Farber and Sophia Elizabeth Engel. He married Caroline Goerlitz.
Biography of George Farber from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania." Published 1897.
HON. GEORGE FARBER. There is no element which has entered into our composite national fabric which has been of more practical straight value and utility than furnished by the steady persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical, and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German influence and this service can not be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and advancement.
The subject of this review comes from stanch German stock, and was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1840, a son of Joseph Farber, also a native of the Rhine Province. The grandfather, Joseph Farber, who operated a grist and saw mill in Germany, came to America in 1843, and here lived retired until his death, which occurred after he had passed the one-hundredth milestone of life's journey. Joseph Farber, a carpenter by trade, also left the fatherland in 1843 with his family and arrived in New York after a long and tedious voyage of eighty-six days. There he remained until 1845, when he came to Scranton, where his brother-in-law, Louis Engle, was living. He worked at his trade for the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company until his enlistment in 1861 in Company C, the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, which belonged to the Army of Virginia. He served faithfully until honorably discharged on account of physical disability. For a time he conducted a grocery store in Petersburg (now Scranton) and spent his last days here, where he died at the age of 69 years. He had married Elizabeth Engle, who was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1812, and died in 1877. Her parents came to America in 1848 and died in the vicinity of Scranton. Our subject is the oldest of seven children, five boys and two girls, the others being Frederick, with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company of Scranton; Louis, with the Pennsylvania Coal Company; Charles, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in Scranton, May 28, 1892; Jacob, who died the same place in 1849; Mrs. Sophia C. Stark, now a resident of Dunmore, and Louisa, wife of A. Price of Scranton.
On the 12th of March, 1845, the subject of this sketch arrived in Scranton, where he was reared and educated, first attending the school that stood above the old grist mill and later on in Dunmore, then known as Bucktown. In 1848 he went with his parents to Greenville, but returned to Dunmore on completion of the Gravity road, and in 1851 removed to what is now Petersburg, the 10th Ward of Scranton, where he has since resided. He began business life in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with whom he remained for two years, was the driver in the old Diamond mine for many years, and later served in the same capacity with Swartz & Spencer, now the Ronney Brookville Company, after which he was again with the Pennsylvania Coal Company until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Farber enlisted in August 1861, in Company B, 9thPennsylvania Calvary, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, October 7, 1861. With his command he participated in the following engagements: Thompkinsville and Paris Ky.; Richmond, Perryville, Carters raid in East Tennessee, Franklin, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Harpeth Creek, Trinue, Rover, Middletown and Shelbyville, Tenn.; La Fayette, Ga.; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 20 and 21, 1863; Newmarket, Ala.; Danbridge, Mosey Creek, second engagement at Danbridge, Seviersville, Fair Garden and Reedyville, Tenn; Lovejoy Station and Columbia, S.C.; Averysboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Morrisville, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Benton House, N.C., on April 26, 1865. He veteranized, January 1864, and after thirty days' furlough, rejoined the Army and served until the end of the war, being honorably discharged in July 1865, after four years of most arduous and faithful service.
Returning to his home in Scranton, Mr. Farber was captain of a boat on the Pennsylvania Canal for one season then operated in coal on a small scale for about a year. He then engaged in mining for Hunt & Davis and the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company for some years, and subsequently conducted the Fairview Hotel at No. 1315 Ash Street in the Tenth Ward for 18 years, retiring from the business in 1889. He is still owner of a large store building on the corner of Ash and Irving Streets, and has a fine residence and other property in the city, all of which has been accumulated through his own industrious and well-directed efforts. He was married in Scranton to Miss Carolina Gorletz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Philip Gorletz, who died in Scranton.
Mr. Farber has ever taken an active part in public affairs, was a commissioner and member of the select council of the city of Scranton from 1872 until 1878, representative of the 10th Ward, and in 1879 was first elected register of wills for Lackawanna County, but the supreme court decided against him as an illegal election. The following year, however, he was again elected to that position for three years, and at the same time was also a member of the select council, but resigned in December, 1884, to take his seat in the Assembly, being elected in 1884 on the Republican ticket by a majority of nine hundred votes. While a member of the legislature he introduced a bill for the appropriation of $25,000 to the Lackawanna Hospital, and the Bill was passed and signed for $15,000. In 1886, he was again the nominee of the party for state representative, but this time was defeated. In 1890, he was elected a member of the select council, in which he served for four years, and was an important factor in securing many useful and valuable improvements. He is also tax collector for the 10th Ward, and is one of its most public-minded and progressive citizens. For eighteen years he has been an influential member of the county Republican committee of which he has served as chairman. Fraternally he affliated with Union Lodge, F. & A. M.; the Knight of Pythais society, of which he is a past officer; and the Colonel Monies Post, N. 319, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and was also a charter member of the old post, No. 101. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, and a distinguished citizen, upright, honorable man and honored veteran of the late war, he is assuredly worthy of representation in a work of this character. In 1894 he made a trip to Europe and spent three delightful months in visiting his old home, and different parts of Germany, Italy and France. He also attended the Colombian Exposition at Chicago, Ill.
Scranton Tribune, September 06, 1900, Morning, Page 5
Hon. George Farber Dead
-----
Petersburg's Leading Citizen Dies
After a Brief Illness -- Fired
the Last Shot of the Civil War.
-----
The man who fired the last shot in the civil war, Hon. J. George Farber, died last evening at 5.15 o'clock, at his home in Petersburg, after a three months' ill ness of dropsy.
The deceased was born in Allebach, Prussia, May 28, 1840, and was brought to his city by his parents in 1845. Since 1851 he lived in the Petersburg portion of the city. He worked in the mines until the breaking out of the civil war, when he and his brother Louis enlisted in Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. His father had previously gone out with One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. The deceased was discharged in July, 1865, after four years of the most active service.
The incident by which he won the distinction mentioned in the opening paragraph occurred at Edwardsburg, N.C., just previous to Johnson's surrender. Mr. Farber and George Burkee, who still lives on Phelps street, were detached from their company of cavalry and assigned to artillery work. They were operating a large gun in a wooded place some distance from the main body and in this way continued firing after hostilities had been called off, they not knowing of the surrender. Mr. Burkee and George Schultz, Sr., brother-in-law of the deceased Mr. Farber, are the only survivors of the seventeen sturdy young lads who went out from Petersburg with the Ninth Cavalry.
Mr. Farber was a commissioner and then a member of the select council from the Tenth ward from 1872 to 1878. In 1879 he was elected the first register of wills of Lackawanna county, but the supreme court declared the election illegal. In the following year, however, he was re-elected for the three years and served his term.
For twenty years he served on the Republican county committee and for a good part of that time on the city committee also, having once been its chairman.
He was a member of the Union lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and Colonel Monies post 319, Grand Army of the Republic.
The deceased is survived by his wife and the following brothers and sisters: Frederick Farber, L.J. Farber, Mrs. Jacob Star, and Mrs. Alonzo Price, all of this city.
Article from The Scranton Times, Monday, September 10, 1900:
GEORGE FARBER BURIED WITH HONORS
A Large Assemblage of Representative Citizens And
Delegations from Organizations at the Services on Saturday.
The attendance at the funeral services of the late George Farber, held Saturday afternoon from 1403 Ash street, was the largest held in this city for years. Rev. F. Steinmann, pastor of the Petersburg German Presbyterian church, conducted the services. There were many beautiful floral tributes, conspicuous among the offerings was a large bouquet and a wreath, presented by Capt. DeLacey on behalf of the G. A. R., a huge "Gate Ajar," with an arch, bearing a white dove, presented by E. Robinson; wreaths from the Masons, a pillow from the Relief Hose company, a design from Lodge 369, K. of P., a casket bouquet from Comrade George Schultz, and another from comrade George Burkel, were among the numerous presentations. The following lodges and organizations were well represented: Union lodge of the Masons, Fairview lodge, No. 369, of the Knights of Pythias, Relief Engine company, Col. Monies and Lieut. Ezra Griffiths posts, G. A. R., and the Scranton Hook and Ladder company.
Rev. Mr. Steinmann took his text from the thirty-ninth psalm, seventh verse, "And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?" And said in part: "Now, the foregoing verses contain limitations about the vanity of this life, about the shortness of the days, and the vanities of the possessions of this life. In consideration of these facts he exclaimed, 'And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?'
"Now the hope in God is the only true consolation. First the only hope for the mourning widow, he will be the protector, the consoler, the friend and helper. In him each widow should hope, whether she be rich or poor, during all her days, life and death. And this hope will not be in vain.
"The Lord is the hope for the mourning mothers and sisters. He, as our elder brother, who is not ashamed to call us his brethern, is alone able to substitute our loss. In this also the veterans should place their hope, if one after the other, out of the ranks of their comrades, is called away.
"When they see their strength diminishing so that they will not be able to endure the hardships of battle any longer. Under the banner of the cross they will find refuge and eternal life and the crown of honor, which Jesus will place in the hands of those that are faithful unto death in watching, praying and fighting for the captain of our salvation.
"And in him we all should hope for this. Death teaches us all the vanity of life and of the earthly hopes. We soon will be in the same condition as this dead husband, brother and friend, and the only hope is the Lord, as our Savior and Redeemer, will uphold us in the strife and sorrows of life, and in the hour of departure from this world."
The pallbearers were: George Schultz, George Burkel, Markus Bishop, Henry Ferber, Charles Blausius and Henry Weber. The flower bearers were: Philip Switzer, Edward Hartman and Albert Van Haullon.
Interment was made in Dunmore Cemetery.
Siblings:
Frederick Farber
Louis Jacob Farber
Charles Carl Farber
Sophia Charlotte Farber
Louise Caroline Farber
Click here for a little film showing photos dating from the 1860s to 1911 of members of the Engel, Farber and Stark families:
Photo Album
NOTE: My 2nd great-granduncle.
Biography of George Farber from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania." Published 1897.
HON. GEORGE FARBER. There is no element which has entered into our composite national fabric which has been of more practical straight value and utility than furnished by the steady persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical, and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German influence and this service can not be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and advancement.
The subject of this review comes from stanch German stock, and was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1840, a son of Joseph Farber, also a native of the Rhine Province. The grandfather, Joseph Farber, who operated a grist and saw mill in Germany, came to America in 1843, and here lived retired until his death, which occurred after he had passed the one-hundredth milestone of life's journey. Joseph Farber, a carpenter by trade, also left the fatherland in 1843 with his family and arrived in New York after a long and tedious voyage of eighty-six days. There he remained until 1845, when he came to Scranton, where his brother-in-law, Louis Engle, was living. He worked at his trade for the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company until his enlistment in 1861 in Company C, the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, which belonged to the Army of Virginia. He served faithfully until honorably discharged on account of physical disability. For a time he conducted a grocery store in Petersburg (now Scranton) and spent his last days here, where he died at the age of 69 years. He had married Elizabeth Engle, who was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1812, and died in 1877. Her parents came to America in 1848 and died in the vicinity of Scranton. Our subject is the oldest of seven children, five boys and two girls, the others being Frederick, with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company of Scranton; Louis, with the Pennsylvania Coal Company; Charles, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in Scranton, May 28, 1892; Jacob, who died the same place in 1849; Mrs. Sophia C. Stark, now a resident of Dunmore, and Louisa, wife of A. Price of Scranton.
On the 12th of March, 1845, the subject of this sketch arrived in Scranton, where he was reared and educated, first attending the school that stood above the old grist mill and later on in Dunmore, then known as Bucktown. In 1848 he went with his parents to Greenville, but returned to Dunmore on completion of the Gravity road, and in 1851 removed to what is now Petersburg, the 10th Ward of Scranton, where he has since resided. He began business life in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with whom he remained for two years, was the driver in the old Diamond mine for many years, and later served in the same capacity with Swartz & Spencer, now the Ronney Brookville Company, after which he was again with the Pennsylvania Coal Company until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Farber enlisted in August 1861, in Company B, 9thPennsylvania Calvary, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, October 7, 1861. With his command he participated in the following engagements: Thompkinsville and Paris Ky.; Richmond, Perryville, Carters raid in East Tennessee, Franklin, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Harpeth Creek, Trinue, Rover, Middletown and Shelbyville, Tenn.; La Fayette, Ga.; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 20 and 21, 1863; Newmarket, Ala.; Danbridge, Mosey Creek, second engagement at Danbridge, Seviersville, Fair Garden and Reedyville, Tenn; Lovejoy Station and Columbia, S.C.; Averysboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Morrisville, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Benton House, N.C., on April 26, 1865. He veteranized, January 1864, and after thirty days' furlough, rejoined the Army and served until the end of the war, being honorably discharged in July 1865, after four years of most arduous and faithful service.
Returning to his home in Scranton, Mr. Farber was captain of a boat on the Pennsylvania Canal for one season then operated in coal on a small scale for about a year. He then engaged in mining for Hunt & Davis and the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company for some years, and subsequently conducted the Fairview Hotel at No. 1315 Ash Street in the Tenth Ward for 18 years, retiring from the business in 1889. He is still owner of a large store building on the corner of Ash and Irving Streets, and has a fine residence and other property in the city, all of which has been accumulated through his own industrious and well-directed efforts. He was married in Scranton to Miss Carolina Gorletz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Philip Gorletz, who died in Scranton.
Mr. Farber has ever taken an active part in public affairs, was a commissioner and member of the select council of the city of Scranton from 1872 until 1878, representative of the 10th Ward, and in 1879 was first elected register of wills for Lackawanna County, but the supreme court decided against him as an illegal election. The following year, however, he was again elected to that position for three years, and at the same time was also a member of the select council, but resigned in December, 1884, to take his seat in the Assembly, being elected in 1884 on the Republican ticket by a majority of nine hundred votes. While a member of the legislature he introduced a bill for the appropriation of $25,000 to the Lackawanna Hospital, and the Bill was passed and signed for $15,000. In 1886, he was again the nominee of the party for state representative, but this time was defeated. In 1890, he was elected a member of the select council, in which he served for four years, and was an important factor in securing many useful and valuable improvements. He is also tax collector for the 10th Ward, and is one of its most public-minded and progressive citizens. For eighteen years he has been an influential member of the county Republican committee of which he has served as chairman. Fraternally he affliated with Union Lodge, F. & A. M.; the Knight of Pythais society, of which he is a past officer; and the Colonel Monies Post, N. 319, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and was also a charter member of the old post, No. 101. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, and a distinguished citizen, upright, honorable man and honored veteran of the late war, he is assuredly worthy of representation in a work of this character. In 1894 he made a trip to Europe and spent three delightful months in visiting his old home, and different parts of Germany, Italy and France. He also attended the Colombian Exposition at Chicago, Ill.
Scranton Tribune, September 06, 1900, Morning, Page 5
Hon. George Farber Dead
-----
Petersburg's Leading Citizen Dies
After a Brief Illness -- Fired
the Last Shot of the Civil War.
-----
The man who fired the last shot in the civil war, Hon. J. George Farber, died last evening at 5.15 o'clock, at his home in Petersburg, after a three months' ill ness of dropsy.
The deceased was born in Allebach, Prussia, May 28, 1840, and was brought to his city by his parents in 1845. Since 1851 he lived in the Petersburg portion of the city. He worked in the mines until the breaking out of the civil war, when he and his brother Louis enlisted in Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. His father had previously gone out with One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. The deceased was discharged in July, 1865, after four years of the most active service.
The incident by which he won the distinction mentioned in the opening paragraph occurred at Edwardsburg, N.C., just previous to Johnson's surrender. Mr. Farber and George Burkee, who still lives on Phelps street, were detached from their company of cavalry and assigned to artillery work. They were operating a large gun in a wooded place some distance from the main body and in this way continued firing after hostilities had been called off, they not knowing of the surrender. Mr. Burkee and George Schultz, Sr., brother-in-law of the deceased Mr. Farber, are the only survivors of the seventeen sturdy young lads who went out from Petersburg with the Ninth Cavalry.
Mr. Farber was a commissioner and then a member of the select council from the Tenth ward from 1872 to 1878. In 1879 he was elected the first register of wills of Lackawanna county, but the supreme court declared the election illegal. In the following year, however, he was re-elected for the three years and served his term.
For twenty years he served on the Republican county committee and for a good part of that time on the city committee also, having once been its chairman.
He was a member of the Union lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and Colonel Monies post 319, Grand Army of the Republic.
The deceased is survived by his wife and the following brothers and sisters: Frederick Farber, L.J. Farber, Mrs. Jacob Star, and Mrs. Alonzo Price, all of this city.
Article from The Scranton Times, Monday, September 10, 1900:
GEORGE FARBER BURIED WITH HONORS
A Large Assemblage of Representative Citizens And
Delegations from Organizations at the Services on Saturday.
The attendance at the funeral services of the late George Farber, held Saturday afternoon from 1403 Ash street, was the largest held in this city for years. Rev. F. Steinmann, pastor of the Petersburg German Presbyterian church, conducted the services. There were many beautiful floral tributes, conspicuous among the offerings was a large bouquet and a wreath, presented by Capt. DeLacey on behalf of the G. A. R., a huge "Gate Ajar," with an arch, bearing a white dove, presented by E. Robinson; wreaths from the Masons, a pillow from the Relief Hose company, a design from Lodge 369, K. of P., a casket bouquet from Comrade George Schultz, and another from comrade George Burkel, were among the numerous presentations. The following lodges and organizations were well represented: Union lodge of the Masons, Fairview lodge, No. 369, of the Knights of Pythias, Relief Engine company, Col. Monies and Lieut. Ezra Griffiths posts, G. A. R., and the Scranton Hook and Ladder company.
Rev. Mr. Steinmann took his text from the thirty-ninth psalm, seventh verse, "And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?" And said in part: "Now, the foregoing verses contain limitations about the vanity of this life, about the shortness of the days, and the vanities of the possessions of this life. In consideration of these facts he exclaimed, 'And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?'
"Now the hope in God is the only true consolation. First the only hope for the mourning widow, he will be the protector, the consoler, the friend and helper. In him each widow should hope, whether she be rich or poor, during all her days, life and death. And this hope will not be in vain.
"The Lord is the hope for the mourning mothers and sisters. He, as our elder brother, who is not ashamed to call us his brethern, is alone able to substitute our loss. In this also the veterans should place their hope, if one after the other, out of the ranks of their comrades, is called away.
"When they see their strength diminishing so that they will not be able to endure the hardships of battle any longer. Under the banner of the cross they will find refuge and eternal life and the crown of honor, which Jesus will place in the hands of those that are faithful unto death in watching, praying and fighting for the captain of our salvation.
"And in him we all should hope for this. Death teaches us all the vanity of life and of the earthly hopes. We soon will be in the same condition as this dead husband, brother and friend, and the only hope is the Lord, as our Savior and Redeemer, will uphold us in the strife and sorrows of life, and in the hour of departure from this world."
The pallbearers were: George Schultz, George Burkel, Markus Bishop, Henry Ferber, Charles Blausius and Henry Weber. The flower bearers were: Philip Switzer, Edward Hartman and Albert Van Haullon.
Interment was made in Dunmore Cemetery.
Siblings:
Frederick Farber
Louis Jacob Farber
Charles Carl Farber
Sophia Charlotte Farber
Louise Caroline Farber
Click here for a little film showing photos dating from the 1860s to 1911 of members of the Engel, Farber and Stark families:
Photo Album
NOTE: My 2nd great-granduncle.
He was the son of Joseph Farber and Sophia Elizabeth Engel. He married Caroline Goerlitz.
Biography of George Farber from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania." Published 1897.
HON. GEORGE FARBER. There is no element which has entered into our composite national fabric which has been of more practical straight value and utility than furnished by the steady persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical, and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German influence and this service can not be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and advancement.
The subject of this review comes from stanch German stock, and was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1840, a son of Joseph Farber, also a native of the Rhine Province. The grandfather, Joseph Farber, who operated a grist and saw mill in Germany, came to America in 1843, and here lived retired until his death, which occurred after he had passed the one-hundredth milestone of life's journey. Joseph Farber, a carpenter by trade, also left the fatherland in 1843 with his family and arrived in New York after a long and tedious voyage of eighty-six days. There he remained until 1845, when he came to Scranton, where his brother-in-law, Louis Engle, was living. He worked at his trade for the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company until his enlistment in 1861 in Company C, the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, which belonged to the Army of Virginia. He served faithfully until honorably discharged on account of physical disability. For a time he conducted a grocery store in Petersburg (now Scranton) and spent his last days here, where he died at the age of 69 years. He had married Elizabeth Engle, who was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1812, and died in 1877. Her parents came to America in 1848 and died in the vicinity of Scranton. Our subject is the oldest of seven children, five boys and two girls, the others being Frederick, with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company of Scranton; Louis, with the Pennsylvania Coal Company; Charles, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in Scranton, May 28, 1892; Jacob, who died the same place in 1849; Mrs. Sophia C. Stark, now a resident of Dunmore, and Louisa, wife of A. Price of Scranton.
On the 12th of March, 1845, the subject of this sketch arrived in Scranton, where he was reared and educated, first attending the school that stood above the old grist mill and later on in Dunmore, then known as Bucktown. In 1848 he went with his parents to Greenville, but returned to Dunmore on completion of the Gravity road, and in 1851 removed to what is now Petersburg, the 10th Ward of Scranton, where he has since resided. He began business life in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with whom he remained for two years, was the driver in the old Diamond mine for many years, and later served in the same capacity with Swartz & Spencer, now the Ronney Brookville Company, after which he was again with the Pennsylvania Coal Company until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Farber enlisted in August 1861, in Company B, 9thPennsylvania Calvary, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, October 7, 1861. With his command he participated in the following engagements: Thompkinsville and Paris Ky.; Richmond, Perryville, Carters raid in East Tennessee, Franklin, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Harpeth Creek, Trinue, Rover, Middletown and Shelbyville, Tenn.; La Fayette, Ga.; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 20 and 21, 1863; Newmarket, Ala.; Danbridge, Mosey Creek, second engagement at Danbridge, Seviersville, Fair Garden and Reedyville, Tenn; Lovejoy Station and Columbia, S.C.; Averysboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Morrisville, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Benton House, N.C., on April 26, 1865. He veteranized, January 1864, and after thirty days' furlough, rejoined the Army and served until the end of the war, being honorably discharged in July 1865, after four years of most arduous and faithful service.
Returning to his home in Scranton, Mr. Farber was captain of a boat on the Pennsylvania Canal for one season then operated in coal on a small scale for about a year. He then engaged in mining for Hunt & Davis and the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company for some years, and subsequently conducted the Fairview Hotel at No. 1315 Ash Street in the Tenth Ward for 18 years, retiring from the business in 1889. He is still owner of a large store building on the corner of Ash and Irving Streets, and has a fine residence and other property in the city, all of which has been accumulated through his own industrious and well-directed efforts. He was married in Scranton to Miss Carolina Gorletz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Philip Gorletz, who died in Scranton.
Mr. Farber has ever taken an active part in public affairs, was a commissioner and member of the select council of the city of Scranton from 1872 until 1878, representative of the 10th Ward, and in 1879 was first elected register of wills for Lackawanna County, but the supreme court decided against him as an illegal election. The following year, however, he was again elected to that position for three years, and at the same time was also a member of the select council, but resigned in December, 1884, to take his seat in the Assembly, being elected in 1884 on the Republican ticket by a majority of nine hundred votes. While a member of the legislature he introduced a bill for the appropriation of $25,000 to the Lackawanna Hospital, and the Bill was passed and signed for $15,000. In 1886, he was again the nominee of the party for state representative, but this time was defeated. In 1890, he was elected a member of the select council, in which he served for four years, and was an important factor in securing many useful and valuable improvements. He is also tax collector for the 10th Ward, and is one of its most public-minded and progressive citizens. For eighteen years he has been an influential member of the county Republican committee of which he has served as chairman. Fraternally he affliated with Union Lodge, F. & A. M.; the Knight of Pythais society, of which he is a past officer; and the Colonel Monies Post, N. 319, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and was also a charter member of the old post, No. 101. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, and a distinguished citizen, upright, honorable man and honored veteran of the late war, he is assuredly worthy of representation in a work of this character. In 1894 he made a trip to Europe and spent three delightful months in visiting his old home, and different parts of Germany, Italy and France. He also attended the Colombian Exposition at Chicago, Ill.
Scranton Tribune, September 06, 1900, Morning, Page 5
Hon. George Farber Dead
-----
Petersburg's Leading Citizen Dies
After a Brief Illness -- Fired
the Last Shot of the Civil War.
-----
The man who fired the last shot in the civil war, Hon. J. George Farber, died last evening at 5.15 o'clock, at his home in Petersburg, after a three months' ill ness of dropsy.
The deceased was born in Allebach, Prussia, May 28, 1840, and was brought to his city by his parents in 1845. Since 1851 he lived in the Petersburg portion of the city. He worked in the mines until the breaking out of the civil war, when he and his brother Louis enlisted in Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. His father had previously gone out with One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. The deceased was discharged in July, 1865, after four years of the most active service.
The incident by which he won the distinction mentioned in the opening paragraph occurred at Edwardsburg, N.C., just previous to Johnson's surrender. Mr. Farber and George Burkee, who still lives on Phelps street, were detached from their company of cavalry and assigned to artillery work. They were operating a large gun in a wooded place some distance from the main body and in this way continued firing after hostilities had been called off, they not knowing of the surrender. Mr. Burkee and George Schultz, Sr., brother-in-law of the deceased Mr. Farber, are the only survivors of the seventeen sturdy young lads who went out from Petersburg with the Ninth Cavalry.
Mr. Farber was a commissioner and then a member of the select council from the Tenth ward from 1872 to 1878. In 1879 he was elected the first register of wills of Lackawanna county, but the supreme court declared the election illegal. In the following year, however, he was re-elected for the three years and served his term.
For twenty years he served on the Republican county committee and for a good part of that time on the city committee also, having once been its chairman.
He was a member of the Union lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and Colonel Monies post 319, Grand Army of the Republic.
The deceased is survived by his wife and the following brothers and sisters: Frederick Farber, L.J. Farber, Mrs. Jacob Star, and Mrs. Alonzo Price, all of this city.
Article from The Scranton Times, Monday, September 10, 1900:
GEORGE FARBER BURIED WITH HONORS
A Large Assemblage of Representative Citizens And
Delegations from Organizations at the Services on Saturday.
The attendance at the funeral services of the late George Farber, held Saturday afternoon from 1403 Ash street, was the largest held in this city for years. Rev. F. Steinmann, pastor of the Petersburg German Presbyterian church, conducted the services. There were many beautiful floral tributes, conspicuous among the offerings was a large bouquet and a wreath, presented by Capt. DeLacey on behalf of the G. A. R., a huge "Gate Ajar," with an arch, bearing a white dove, presented by E. Robinson; wreaths from the Masons, a pillow from the Relief Hose company, a design from Lodge 369, K. of P., a casket bouquet from Comrade George Schultz, and another from comrade George Burkel, were among the numerous presentations. The following lodges and organizations were well represented: Union lodge of the Masons, Fairview lodge, No. 369, of the Knights of Pythias, Relief Engine company, Col. Monies and Lieut. Ezra Griffiths posts, G. A. R., and the Scranton Hook and Ladder company.
Rev. Mr. Steinmann took his text from the thirty-ninth psalm, seventh verse, "And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?" And said in part: "Now, the foregoing verses contain limitations about the vanity of this life, about the shortness of the days, and the vanities of the possessions of this life. In consideration of these facts he exclaimed, 'And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?'
"Now the hope in God is the only true consolation. First the only hope for the mourning widow, he will be the protector, the consoler, the friend and helper. In him each widow should hope, whether she be rich or poor, during all her days, life and death. And this hope will not be in vain.
"The Lord is the hope for the mourning mothers and sisters. He, as our elder brother, who is not ashamed to call us his brethern, is alone able to substitute our loss. In this also the veterans should place their hope, if one after the other, out of the ranks of their comrades, is called away.
"When they see their strength diminishing so that they will not be able to endure the hardships of battle any longer. Under the banner of the cross they will find refuge and eternal life and the crown of honor, which Jesus will place in the hands of those that are faithful unto death in watching, praying and fighting for the captain of our salvation.
"And in him we all should hope for this. Death teaches us all the vanity of life and of the earthly hopes. We soon will be in the same condition as this dead husband, brother and friend, and the only hope is the Lord, as our Savior and Redeemer, will uphold us in the strife and sorrows of life, and in the hour of departure from this world."
The pallbearers were: George Schultz, George Burkel, Markus Bishop, Henry Ferber, Charles Blausius and Henry Weber. The flower bearers were: Philip Switzer, Edward Hartman and Albert Van Haullon.
Interment was made in Dunmore Cemetery.
Siblings:
Frederick Farber
Louis Jacob Farber
Charles Carl Farber
Sophia Charlotte Farber
Louise Caroline Farber
Click here for a little film showing photos dating from the 1860s to 1911 of members of the Engel, Farber and Stark families:
Photo Album
NOTE: My 2nd great-granduncle.
Biography of George Farber from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania." Published 1897.
HON. GEORGE FARBER. There is no element which has entered into our composite national fabric which has been of more practical straight value and utility than furnished by the steady persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical, and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German influence and this service can not be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and advancement.
The subject of this review comes from stanch German stock, and was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1840, a son of Joseph Farber, also a native of the Rhine Province. The grandfather, Joseph Farber, who operated a grist and saw mill in Germany, came to America in 1843, and here lived retired until his death, which occurred after he had passed the one-hundredth milestone of life's journey. Joseph Farber, a carpenter by trade, also left the fatherland in 1843 with his family and arrived in New York after a long and tedious voyage of eighty-six days. There he remained until 1845, when he came to Scranton, where his brother-in-law, Louis Engle, was living. He worked at his trade for the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company until his enlistment in 1861 in Company C, the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, which belonged to the Army of Virginia. He served faithfully until honorably discharged on account of physical disability. For a time he conducted a grocery store in Petersburg (now Scranton) and spent his last days here, where he died at the age of 69 years. He had married Elizabeth Engle, who was born in Allebach Prussia, May 28, 1812, and died in 1877. Her parents came to America in 1848 and died in the vicinity of Scranton. Our subject is the oldest of seven children, five boys and two girls, the others being Frederick, with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company of Scranton; Louis, with the Pennsylvania Coal Company; Charles, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in Scranton, May 28, 1892; Jacob, who died the same place in 1849; Mrs. Sophia C. Stark, now a resident of Dunmore, and Louisa, wife of A. Price of Scranton.
On the 12th of March, 1845, the subject of this sketch arrived in Scranton, where he was reared and educated, first attending the school that stood above the old grist mill and later on in Dunmore, then known as Bucktown. In 1848 he went with his parents to Greenville, but returned to Dunmore on completion of the Gravity road, and in 1851 removed to what is now Petersburg, the 10th Ward of Scranton, where he has since resided. He began business life in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with whom he remained for two years, was the driver in the old Diamond mine for many years, and later served in the same capacity with Swartz & Spencer, now the Ronney Brookville Company, after which he was again with the Pennsylvania Coal Company until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Farber enlisted in August 1861, in Company B, 9thPennsylvania Calvary, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, October 7, 1861. With his command he participated in the following engagements: Thompkinsville and Paris Ky.; Richmond, Perryville, Carters raid in East Tennessee, Franklin, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Harpeth Creek, Trinue, Rover, Middletown and Shelbyville, Tenn.; La Fayette, Ga.; Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 20 and 21, 1863; Newmarket, Ala.; Danbridge, Mosey Creek, second engagement at Danbridge, Seviersville, Fair Garden and Reedyville, Tenn; Lovejoy Station and Columbia, S.C.; Averysboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Morrisville, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Benton House, N.C., on April 26, 1865. He veteranized, January 1864, and after thirty days' furlough, rejoined the Army and served until the end of the war, being honorably discharged in July 1865, after four years of most arduous and faithful service.
Returning to his home in Scranton, Mr. Farber was captain of a boat on the Pennsylvania Canal for one season then operated in coal on a small scale for about a year. He then engaged in mining for Hunt & Davis and the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company for some years, and subsequently conducted the Fairview Hotel at No. 1315 Ash Street in the Tenth Ward for 18 years, retiring from the business in 1889. He is still owner of a large store building on the corner of Ash and Irving Streets, and has a fine residence and other property in the city, all of which has been accumulated through his own industrious and well-directed efforts. He was married in Scranton to Miss Carolina Gorletz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Philip Gorletz, who died in Scranton.
Mr. Farber has ever taken an active part in public affairs, was a commissioner and member of the select council of the city of Scranton from 1872 until 1878, representative of the 10th Ward, and in 1879 was first elected register of wills for Lackawanna County, but the supreme court decided against him as an illegal election. The following year, however, he was again elected to that position for three years, and at the same time was also a member of the select council, but resigned in December, 1884, to take his seat in the Assembly, being elected in 1884 on the Republican ticket by a majority of nine hundred votes. While a member of the legislature he introduced a bill for the appropriation of $25,000 to the Lackawanna Hospital, and the Bill was passed and signed for $15,000. In 1886, he was again the nominee of the party for state representative, but this time was defeated. In 1890, he was elected a member of the select council, in which he served for four years, and was an important factor in securing many useful and valuable improvements. He is also tax collector for the 10th Ward, and is one of its most public-minded and progressive citizens. For eighteen years he has been an influential member of the county Republican committee of which he has served as chairman. Fraternally he affliated with Union Lodge, F. & A. M.; the Knight of Pythais society, of which he is a past officer; and the Colonel Monies Post, N. 319, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and was also a charter member of the old post, No. 101. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, and a distinguished citizen, upright, honorable man and honored veteran of the late war, he is assuredly worthy of representation in a work of this character. In 1894 he made a trip to Europe and spent three delightful months in visiting his old home, and different parts of Germany, Italy and France. He also attended the Colombian Exposition at Chicago, Ill.
Scranton Tribune, September 06, 1900, Morning, Page 5
Hon. George Farber Dead
-----
Petersburg's Leading Citizen Dies
After a Brief Illness -- Fired
the Last Shot of the Civil War.
-----
The man who fired the last shot in the civil war, Hon. J. George Farber, died last evening at 5.15 o'clock, at his home in Petersburg, after a three months' ill ness of dropsy.
The deceased was born in Allebach, Prussia, May 28, 1840, and was brought to his city by his parents in 1845. Since 1851 he lived in the Petersburg portion of the city. He worked in the mines until the breaking out of the civil war, when he and his brother Louis enlisted in Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. His father had previously gone out with One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. The deceased was discharged in July, 1865, after four years of the most active service.
The incident by which he won the distinction mentioned in the opening paragraph occurred at Edwardsburg, N.C., just previous to Johnson's surrender. Mr. Farber and George Burkee, who still lives on Phelps street, were detached from their company of cavalry and assigned to artillery work. They were operating a large gun in a wooded place some distance from the main body and in this way continued firing after hostilities had been called off, they not knowing of the surrender. Mr. Burkee and George Schultz, Sr., brother-in-law of the deceased Mr. Farber, are the only survivors of the seventeen sturdy young lads who went out from Petersburg with the Ninth Cavalry.
Mr. Farber was a commissioner and then a member of the select council from the Tenth ward from 1872 to 1878. In 1879 he was elected the first register of wills of Lackawanna county, but the supreme court declared the election illegal. In the following year, however, he was re-elected for the three years and served his term.
For twenty years he served on the Republican county committee and for a good part of that time on the city committee also, having once been its chairman.
He was a member of the Union lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and Colonel Monies post 319, Grand Army of the Republic.
The deceased is survived by his wife and the following brothers and sisters: Frederick Farber, L.J. Farber, Mrs. Jacob Star, and Mrs. Alonzo Price, all of this city.
Article from The Scranton Times, Monday, September 10, 1900:
GEORGE FARBER BURIED WITH HONORS
A Large Assemblage of Representative Citizens And
Delegations from Organizations at the Services on Saturday.
The attendance at the funeral services of the late George Farber, held Saturday afternoon from 1403 Ash street, was the largest held in this city for years. Rev. F. Steinmann, pastor of the Petersburg German Presbyterian church, conducted the services. There were many beautiful floral tributes, conspicuous among the offerings was a large bouquet and a wreath, presented by Capt. DeLacey on behalf of the G. A. R., a huge "Gate Ajar," with an arch, bearing a white dove, presented by E. Robinson; wreaths from the Masons, a pillow from the Relief Hose company, a design from Lodge 369, K. of P., a casket bouquet from Comrade George Schultz, and another from comrade George Burkel, were among the numerous presentations. The following lodges and organizations were well represented: Union lodge of the Masons, Fairview lodge, No. 369, of the Knights of Pythias, Relief Engine company, Col. Monies and Lieut. Ezra Griffiths posts, G. A. R., and the Scranton Hook and Ladder company.
Rev. Mr. Steinmann took his text from the thirty-ninth psalm, seventh verse, "And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?" And said in part: "Now, the foregoing verses contain limitations about the vanity of this life, about the shortness of the days, and the vanities of the possessions of this life. In consideration of these facts he exclaimed, 'And now, Lord, what wait I for; my hope is in thee?'
"Now the hope in God is the only true consolation. First the only hope for the mourning widow, he will be the protector, the consoler, the friend and helper. In him each widow should hope, whether she be rich or poor, during all her days, life and death. And this hope will not be in vain.
"The Lord is the hope for the mourning mothers and sisters. He, as our elder brother, who is not ashamed to call us his brethern, is alone able to substitute our loss. In this also the veterans should place their hope, if one after the other, out of the ranks of their comrades, is called away.
"When they see their strength diminishing so that they will not be able to endure the hardships of battle any longer. Under the banner of the cross they will find refuge and eternal life and the crown of honor, which Jesus will place in the hands of those that are faithful unto death in watching, praying and fighting for the captain of our salvation.
"And in him we all should hope for this. Death teaches us all the vanity of life and of the earthly hopes. We soon will be in the same condition as this dead husband, brother and friend, and the only hope is the Lord, as our Savior and Redeemer, will uphold us in the strife and sorrows of life, and in the hour of departure from this world."
The pallbearers were: George Schultz, George Burkel, Markus Bishop, Henry Ferber, Charles Blausius and Henry Weber. The flower bearers were: Philip Switzer, Edward Hartman and Albert Van Haullon.
Interment was made in Dunmore Cemetery.
Siblings:
Frederick Farber
Louis Jacob Farber
Charles Carl Farber
Sophia Charlotte Farber
Louise Caroline Farber
Click here for a little film showing photos dating from the 1860s to 1911 of members of the Engel, Farber and Stark families:
Photo Album
NOTE: My 2nd great-granduncle.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
