The 1920 US Census of Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 40 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 30 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar, born in AL. Also living in the household were their children: 8 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 6 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar.
Gresham Farrar grew up in the Woodlawn and the East Lake sections of Birmingham, AL. He attended Woodlawn Elementary School for his first 7 grades.
"Gresh" spent the years 1928 (8th grade), 1929 and 1930 as a student at the Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN. At the time this was an all male Military Academy type school. Extant photos show him in his uniform and the rare metal cap insignias from his uniform have been preserved. Class photos and letters home document his experiences at the school. Presently, 2010, the school has morphed into a coed academy.
The 1930 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 50 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 40 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 19 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 17 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar. (Gresham had dropped out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN.)
The 1931 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Farrar as a student at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and living in the residence of his parents at 224 Roebuck Court.
He met Jonnie Belle Chappell, a neighbor and fellow Woodlawn High School student. They eloped and were married on 31 Oct 1931 in Pensacola, FL. They lived in the East Lake section of Birmingham, AL in the residence of his wife's parents at 8430 3rd Ave South from 1931-1938. During the dark days of the "Great Depression", Gresham worked in the theater business (usher), the grocery business (clerk) and the retail auto supply business (Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. store).
The 1932 Birmingham, Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, employed as a theater usher, and his wife, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar living at 8430 3rd Ave South, the home of his wife's parents.
Their son, Gresham T. Farrar, Jr., was born on 16 Nov 1934. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., at the home of his mother's, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, parents (8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL). The 1937 Birmingham City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar, Sr. as a clerk at Hill's Grocery Store in East Lake. He and his wife, Jonnie (Chappell) Farrar, were still living with her parents at 8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL.
His marriage to Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar ended in divorce in 1938. In today's terms he would be classified as a "deadbeat dad" as he never paid court mandated child support or alimony.
The 1940 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 60 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 50 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 27 Y/O divorced Gresham Talmadge Farrar, a gasoline station attendant and their 28 Y/O divorced daughter, Frances Hardwick (Farrar) Stevens. Also in the household was Frances (Farrar) Stevens' 7 Y/O daughter, Shirley Farrar Stephens. NOTE: After his divorce from Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, Gresham moved back into the household of his parents and "totally abandoned" his son, Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Jr. for the rest of his life. He never sent a card, called on the telephone or spoke in person to his only son.
The 1940 WWII registration card of Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. recorded that he was 27 Y/O and was born on 18 Feb 1913 at Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. His mother was recorded as Mrs. Beatrice M. Farrar both of whom were living at Route 5, Box 6-A Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Gresham's work place at the time was "Firestone Tire & Rubber Company" located at 230 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama. Gresham was described as 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, blue eyes, black hair and light complexion.
28 Y/O Gresham T. Farrar, Sr., manager of a Birmingham, Alabama Firestone Auto Supply Co. dealership secondly married 21 Y/O Vivian Ann Murray on 04 Jan 1942 at Springville, St. Clair Co., AL. Vivian Ann Murray, a stenographer, was born on 09 Jul 1920 in Ashville, St. Clair Co., AL [Vivian's parents were Charles and Ada (Jones) Murray].
The 1942 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr, a salesman at a Firestone store and his 2nd wife, Vivian A. (Murray) Farrar, living at 224 Red Oak Road, Roebuck Springs, the home of his parents, Dr. William Charles and Beatrice (Abercrombie) Farrar.
Gresham and Vivian were blessed by the birth of a daughter on 07 Feb 1943. Gresham subsequently moved his family to Pensacola, FL about 1943-44.
The 1945 Florida State Census of Pensacola, Escambia County enumerated 32 Y/O G. T. Farrar, a laborer. and his 24 Y/O 2nd wife, Vivian (Murray) Farrar (1920-2003). Their 2 Y/O daughter, Vivian Ann Farrar, was also enumerated.
The 1948 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. Gresham was recorded as a salesman for Guy E. Yaste & Son, used cars.
The 1950 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. He was recorded as owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
He made an unsuccessful run for public office in Pensacola, Florida.
The 1960 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 754 Tanglewood Dr. He was still recorded as the owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station and Vivian, his wife, was the bookkeeper of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
In January 1966, Gresham's second marriage ended in divorce at Escambia Co., FL. Shortly afterward, on 31 Mar 1966 at Baldwin Co., AL, 53 Y/O Gresham Farrar, Sr. entered into his 3rd married. She was Barbara Jean Brown, a 19 Y/O student, but unfortunately Gresham's life was cut short on 26 Jun 1966.
47 Y/0 Vivian Ann (Murray) Farrar, married 52 Y/O Philipp Otto Giese, a German national, in April 1967 at Escambia Co., FL. Philipp Giese was divorced from Marcia Jean (Senelick) Giese in November 1965 at Santa Rosa Co., FL. Philipp's petition for Naturalization was granted on 14 Jun 1968 at Pensacola, Florida. He was born on 08 Nov 1914 in Bremen, Germany and died at age of 86 Y/O on 29 Sep 2001 at Sarasota, FL. Interestingly, Philipp Otto Giese was an U-boat officer on U-181 during WWII. He was awarded the Silver U-Boat Combat Clasp and Iron Cross 1st Class. Otto Giese co-authored the book, "Shooting the War: The Memoir and Photographs of a U-Boat Officer in World War II", Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1994.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 4th cousin 3 times removed of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) through his father, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr. (See Find A Grave Memorials Mark Twain and Mark Twain.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 1st cousin 3 times removed of Pleasant Riggs Crump, through his mother, Beatrice Martha Abercrombie Farrar. Pleasant Riggs Crump had the distinction of being recognized as the last surviving Civil War Confederate Veteran when he died on 31 Dec 1951. Among other notable events, he was at Appomattox Courthouse to witness the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. See Find A Grave Memorial #13397843. (Source: "The Heritage of St. Clair County" Heritage Publishing Consultants, Clanton Al, 1998, p174.)
Source:
"The John and Richard Hood Clan of Halifax County, Virginia; Burke County, North Carolina; and Pendleton and Greenville Districts, South Carolina" by Clyde B. Hood III, 2013, p204.
Bio by Dr. Gresham Farrar, Jr.
Gresham Farrar grew up in the Woodlawn and the East Lake sections of Birmingham, AL. He attended Woodlawn Elementary School for his first 7 grades.
"Gresh" spent the years 1928 (8th grade), 1929 and 1930 as a student at the Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN. At the time this was an all male Military Academy type school. Extant photos show him in his uniform and the rare metal cap insignias from his uniform have been preserved. Class photos and letters home document his experiences at the school. Presently, 2010, the school has morphed into a coed academy.
The 1930 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 50 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 40 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 19 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 17 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar. (Gresham had dropped out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN.)
The 1931 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Farrar as a student at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and living in the residence of his parents at 224 Roebuck Court.
He met Jonnie Belle Chappell, a neighbor and fellow Woodlawn High School student. They eloped and were married on 31 Oct 1931 in Pensacola, FL. They lived in the East Lake section of Birmingham, AL in the residence of his wife's parents at 8430 3rd Ave South from 1931-1938. During the dark days of the "Great Depression", Gresham worked in the theater business (usher), the grocery business (clerk) and the retail auto supply business (Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. store).
The 1932 Birmingham, Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, employed as a theater usher, and his wife, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar living at 8430 3rd Ave South, the home of his wife's parents.
Their son, Gresham T. Farrar, Jr., was born on 16 Nov 1934. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., at the home of his mother's, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, parents (8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL). The 1937 Birmingham City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar, Sr. as a clerk at Hill's Grocery Store in East Lake. He and his wife, Jonnie (Chappell) Farrar, were still living with her parents at 8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL.
His marriage to Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar ended in divorce in 1938. In today's terms he would be classified as a "deadbeat dad" as he never paid court mandated child support or alimony.
The 1940 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 60 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 50 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 27 Y/O divorced Gresham Talmadge Farrar, a gasoline station attendant and their 28 Y/O divorced daughter, Frances Hardwick (Farrar) Stevens. Also in the household was Frances (Farrar) Stevens' 7 Y/O daughter, Shirley Farrar Stephens. NOTE: After his divorce from Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, Gresham moved back into the household of his parents and "totally abandoned" his son, Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Jr. for the rest of his life. He never sent a card, called on the telephone or spoke in person to his only son.
The 1940 WWII registration card of Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. recorded that he was 27 Y/O and was born on 18 Feb 1913 at Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. His mother was recorded as Mrs. Beatrice M. Farrar both of whom were living at Route 5, Box 6-A Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Gresham's work place at the time was "Firestone Tire & Rubber Company" located at 230 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama. Gresham was described as 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, blue eyes, black hair and light complexion.
28 Y/O Gresham T. Farrar, Sr., manager of a Birmingham, Alabama Firestone Auto Supply Co. dealership secondly married 21 Y/O Vivian Ann Murray on 04 Jan 1942 at Springville, St. Clair Co., AL. Vivian Ann Murray, a stenographer, was born on 09 Jul 1920 in Ashville, St. Clair Co., AL [Vivian's parents were Charles and Ada (Jones) Murray].
The 1942 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr, a salesman at a Firestone store and his 2nd wife, Vivian A. (Murray) Farrar, living at 224 Red Oak Road, Roebuck Springs, the home of his parents, Dr. William Charles and Beatrice (Abercrombie) Farrar.
Gresham and Vivian were blessed by the birth of a daughter on 07 Feb 1943. Gresham subsequently moved his family to Pensacola, FL about 1943-44.
The 1945 Florida State Census of Pensacola, Escambia County enumerated 32 Y/O G. T. Farrar, a laborer. and his 24 Y/O 2nd wife, Vivian (Murray) Farrar (1920-2003). Their 2 Y/O daughter, Vivian Ann Farrar, was also enumerated.
The 1948 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. Gresham was recorded as a salesman for Guy E. Yaste & Son, used cars.
The 1950 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. He was recorded as owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
He made an unsuccessful run for public office in Pensacola, Florida.
The 1960 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 754 Tanglewood Dr. He was still recorded as the owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station and Vivian, his wife, was the bookkeeper of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
In January 1966, Gresham's second marriage ended in divorce at Escambia Co., FL. Shortly afterward, on 31 Mar 1966 at Baldwin Co., AL, 53 Y/O Gresham Farrar, Sr. entered into his 3rd married. She was Barbara Jean Brown, a 19 Y/O student, but unfortunately Gresham's life was cut short on 26 Jun 1966.
47 Y/0 Vivian Ann (Murray) Farrar, married 52 Y/O Philipp Otto Giese, a German national, in April 1967 at Escambia Co., FL. Philipp Giese was divorced from Marcia Jean (Senelick) Giese in November 1965 at Santa Rosa Co., FL. Philipp's petition for Naturalization was granted on 14 Jun 1968 at Pensacola, Florida. He was born on 08 Nov 1914 in Bremen, Germany and died at age of 86 Y/O on 29 Sep 2001 at Sarasota, FL. Interestingly, Philipp Otto Giese was an U-boat officer on U-181 during WWII. He was awarded the Silver U-Boat Combat Clasp and Iron Cross 1st Class. Otto Giese co-authored the book, "Shooting the War: The Memoir and Photographs of a U-Boat Officer in World War II", Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1994.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 4th cousin 3 times removed of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) through his father, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr. (See Find A Grave Memorials Mark Twain and Mark Twain.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 1st cousin 3 times removed of Pleasant Riggs Crump, through his mother, Beatrice Martha Abercrombie Farrar. Pleasant Riggs Crump had the distinction of being recognized as the last surviving Civil War Confederate Veteran when he died on 31 Dec 1951. Among other notable events, he was at Appomattox Courthouse to witness the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. See Find A Grave Memorial #13397843. (Source: "The Heritage of St. Clair County" Heritage Publishing Consultants, Clanton Al, 1998, p174.)
Source:
"The John and Richard Hood Clan of Halifax County, Virginia; Burke County, North Carolina; and Pendleton and Greenville Districts, South Carolina" by Clyde B. Hood III, 2013, p204.
Bio by Dr. Gresham Farrar, Jr.
The 1920 US Census of Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 40 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 30 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar, born in AL. Also living in the household were their children: 8 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 6 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar.
Gresham Farrar grew up in the Woodlawn and the East Lake sections of Birmingham, AL. He attended Woodlawn Elementary School for his first 7 grades.
"Gresh" spent the years 1928 (8th grade), 1929 and 1930 as a student at the Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN. At the time this was an all male Military Academy type school. Extant photos show him in his uniform and the rare metal cap insignias from his uniform have been preserved. Class photos and letters home document his experiences at the school. Presently, 2010, the school has morphed into a coed academy.
The 1930 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 50 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 40 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 19 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 17 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar. (Gresham had dropped out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN.)
The 1931 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Farrar as a student at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and living in the residence of his parents at 224 Roebuck Court.
He met Jonnie Belle Chappell, a neighbor and fellow Woodlawn High School student. They eloped and were married on 31 Oct 1931 in Pensacola, FL. They lived in the East Lake section of Birmingham, AL in the residence of his wife's parents at 8430 3rd Ave South from 1931-1938. During the dark days of the "Great Depression", Gresham worked in the theater business (usher), the grocery business (clerk) and the retail auto supply business (Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. store).
The 1932 Birmingham, Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, employed as a theater usher, and his wife, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar living at 8430 3rd Ave South, the home of his wife's parents.
Their son, Gresham T. Farrar, Jr., was born on 16 Nov 1934. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., at the home of his mother's, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, parents (8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL). The 1937 Birmingham City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar, Sr. as a clerk at Hill's Grocery Store in East Lake. He and his wife, Jonnie (Chappell) Farrar, were still living with her parents at 8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL.
His marriage to Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar ended in divorce in 1938. In today's terms he would be classified as a "deadbeat dad" as he never paid court mandated child support or alimony.
The 1940 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 60 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 50 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 27 Y/O divorced Gresham Talmadge Farrar, a gasoline station attendant and their 28 Y/O divorced daughter, Frances Hardwick (Farrar) Stevens. Also in the household was Frances (Farrar) Stevens' 7 Y/O daughter, Shirley Farrar Stephens. NOTE: After his divorce from Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, Gresham moved back into the household of his parents and "totally abandoned" his son, Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Jr. for the rest of his life. He never sent a card, called on the telephone or spoke in person to his only son.
The 1940 WWII registration card of Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. recorded that he was 27 Y/O and was born on 18 Feb 1913 at Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. His mother was recorded as Mrs. Beatrice M. Farrar both of whom were living at Route 5, Box 6-A Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Gresham's work place at the time was "Firestone Tire & Rubber Company" located at 230 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama. Gresham was described as 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, blue eyes, black hair and light complexion.
28 Y/O Gresham T. Farrar, Sr., manager of a Birmingham, Alabama Firestone Auto Supply Co. dealership secondly married 21 Y/O Vivian Ann Murray on 04 Jan 1942 at Springville, St. Clair Co., AL. Vivian Ann Murray, a stenographer, was born on 09 Jul 1920 in Ashville, St. Clair Co., AL [Vivian's parents were Charles and Ada (Jones) Murray].
The 1942 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr, a salesman at a Firestone store and his 2nd wife, Vivian A. (Murray) Farrar, living at 224 Red Oak Road, Roebuck Springs, the home of his parents, Dr. William Charles and Beatrice (Abercrombie) Farrar.
Gresham and Vivian were blessed by the birth of a daughter on 07 Feb 1943. Gresham subsequently moved his family to Pensacola, FL about 1943-44.
The 1945 Florida State Census of Pensacola, Escambia County enumerated 32 Y/O G. T. Farrar, a laborer. and his 24 Y/O 2nd wife, Vivian (Murray) Farrar (1920-2003). Their 2 Y/O daughter, Vivian Ann Farrar, was also enumerated.
The 1948 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. Gresham was recorded as a salesman for Guy E. Yaste & Son, used cars.
The 1950 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. He was recorded as owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
He made an unsuccessful run for public office in Pensacola, Florida.
The 1960 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 754 Tanglewood Dr. He was still recorded as the owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station and Vivian, his wife, was the bookkeeper of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
In January 1966, Gresham's second marriage ended in divorce at Escambia Co., FL. Shortly afterward, on 31 Mar 1966 at Baldwin Co., AL, 53 Y/O Gresham Farrar, Sr. entered into his 3rd married. She was Barbara Jean Brown, a 19 Y/O student, but unfortunately Gresham's life was cut short on 26 Jun 1966.
47 Y/0 Vivian Ann (Murray) Farrar, married 52 Y/O Philipp Otto Giese, a German national, in April 1967 at Escambia Co., FL. Philipp Giese was divorced from Marcia Jean (Senelick) Giese in November 1965 at Santa Rosa Co., FL. Philipp's petition for Naturalization was granted on 14 Jun 1968 at Pensacola, Florida. He was born on 08 Nov 1914 in Bremen, Germany and died at age of 86 Y/O on 29 Sep 2001 at Sarasota, FL. Interestingly, Philipp Otto Giese was an U-boat officer on U-181 during WWII. He was awarded the Silver U-Boat Combat Clasp and Iron Cross 1st Class. Otto Giese co-authored the book, "Shooting the War: The Memoir and Photographs of a U-Boat Officer in World War II", Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1994.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 4th cousin 3 times removed of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) through his father, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr. (See Find A Grave Memorials Mark Twain and Mark Twain.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 1st cousin 3 times removed of Pleasant Riggs Crump, through his mother, Beatrice Martha Abercrombie Farrar. Pleasant Riggs Crump had the distinction of being recognized as the last surviving Civil War Confederate Veteran when he died on 31 Dec 1951. Among other notable events, he was at Appomattox Courthouse to witness the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. See Find A Grave Memorial #13397843. (Source: "The Heritage of St. Clair County" Heritage Publishing Consultants, Clanton Al, 1998, p174.)
Source:
"The John and Richard Hood Clan of Halifax County, Virginia; Burke County, North Carolina; and Pendleton and Greenville Districts, South Carolina" by Clyde B. Hood III, 2013, p204.
Bio by Dr. Gresham Farrar, Jr.
Gresham Farrar grew up in the Woodlawn and the East Lake sections of Birmingham, AL. He attended Woodlawn Elementary School for his first 7 grades.
"Gresh" spent the years 1928 (8th grade), 1929 and 1930 as a student at the Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN. At the time this was an all male Military Academy type school. Extant photos show him in his uniform and the rare metal cap insignias from his uniform have been preserved. Class photos and letters home document his experiences at the school. Presently, 2010, the school has morphed into a coed academy.
The 1930 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 50 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 40 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 19 Y/O Frances Hardwick Farrar and 17 Y/O Gresham Talmadge Farrar. (Gresham had dropped out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN.)
The 1931 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Farrar as a student at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and living in the residence of his parents at 224 Roebuck Court.
He met Jonnie Belle Chappell, a neighbor and fellow Woodlawn High School student. They eloped and were married on 31 Oct 1931 in Pensacola, FL. They lived in the East Lake section of Birmingham, AL in the residence of his wife's parents at 8430 3rd Ave South from 1931-1938. During the dark days of the "Great Depression", Gresham worked in the theater business (usher), the grocery business (clerk) and the retail auto supply business (Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. store).
The 1932 Birmingham, Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, employed as a theater usher, and his wife, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar living at 8430 3rd Ave South, the home of his wife's parents.
Their son, Gresham T. Farrar, Jr., was born on 16 Nov 1934. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., at the home of his mother's, Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, parents (8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL). The 1937 Birmingham City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar, Sr. as a clerk at Hill's Grocery Store in East Lake. He and his wife, Jonnie (Chappell) Farrar, were still living with her parents at 8430 3rd Ave South, East Lake, Birmingham, AL.
His marriage to Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar ended in divorce in 1938. In today's terms he would be classified as a "deadbeat dad" as he never paid court mandated child support or alimony.
The 1940 US Census of Precinct 56, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 60 Y/O Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr., a physician born in GA, and his 50 Y/O wife, Beatrice Martha (Abercrombie) Farrar. Also living in the household were their children: 27 Y/O divorced Gresham Talmadge Farrar, a gasoline station attendant and their 28 Y/O divorced daughter, Frances Hardwick (Farrar) Stevens. Also in the household was Frances (Farrar) Stevens' 7 Y/O daughter, Shirley Farrar Stephens. NOTE: After his divorce from Jonnie Belle (Chappell) Farrar, Gresham moved back into the household of his parents and "totally abandoned" his son, Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Jr. for the rest of his life. He never sent a card, called on the telephone or spoke in person to his only son.
The 1940 WWII registration card of Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. recorded that he was 27 Y/O and was born on 18 Feb 1913 at Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. His mother was recorded as Mrs. Beatrice M. Farrar both of whom were living at Route 5, Box 6-A Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Gresham's work place at the time was "Firestone Tire & Rubber Company" located at 230 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama. Gresham was described as 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, blue eyes, black hair and light complexion.
28 Y/O Gresham T. Farrar, Sr., manager of a Birmingham, Alabama Firestone Auto Supply Co. dealership secondly married 21 Y/O Vivian Ann Murray on 04 Jan 1942 at Springville, St. Clair Co., AL. Vivian Ann Murray, a stenographer, was born on 09 Jul 1920 in Ashville, St. Clair Co., AL [Vivian's parents were Charles and Ada (Jones) Murray].
The 1942 Birmingham Alabama City Directory recorded Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr, a salesman at a Firestone store and his 2nd wife, Vivian A. (Murray) Farrar, living at 224 Red Oak Road, Roebuck Springs, the home of his parents, Dr. William Charles and Beatrice (Abercrombie) Farrar.
Gresham and Vivian were blessed by the birth of a daughter on 07 Feb 1943. Gresham subsequently moved his family to Pensacola, FL about 1943-44.
The 1945 Florida State Census of Pensacola, Escambia County enumerated 32 Y/O G. T. Farrar, a laborer. and his 24 Y/O 2nd wife, Vivian (Murray) Farrar (1920-2003). Their 2 Y/O daughter, Vivian Ann Farrar, was also enumerated.
The 1948 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. Gresham was recorded as a salesman for Guy E. Yaste & Son, used cars.
The 1950 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar living at 545 Barrancas Ave. West. He was recorded as owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
He made an unsuccessful run for public office in Pensacola, Florida.
The 1960 Pensacola, Florida City Directory recorded Gresham T. Farrar and his wife, Vivian M. Farrar, living at 754 Tanglewood Dr. He was still recorded as the owner/operator of Farrar's Service Station and Vivian, his wife, was the bookkeeper of Farrar's Service Station located at 1430 North Palafax.
In January 1966, Gresham's second marriage ended in divorce at Escambia Co., FL. Shortly afterward, on 31 Mar 1966 at Baldwin Co., AL, 53 Y/O Gresham Farrar, Sr. entered into his 3rd married. She was Barbara Jean Brown, a 19 Y/O student, but unfortunately Gresham's life was cut short on 26 Jun 1966.
47 Y/0 Vivian Ann (Murray) Farrar, married 52 Y/O Philipp Otto Giese, a German national, in April 1967 at Escambia Co., FL. Philipp Giese was divorced from Marcia Jean (Senelick) Giese in November 1965 at Santa Rosa Co., FL. Philipp's petition for Naturalization was granted on 14 Jun 1968 at Pensacola, Florida. He was born on 08 Nov 1914 in Bremen, Germany and died at age of 86 Y/O on 29 Sep 2001 at Sarasota, FL. Interestingly, Philipp Otto Giese was an U-boat officer on U-181 during WWII. He was awarded the Silver U-Boat Combat Clasp and Iron Cross 1st Class. Otto Giese co-authored the book, "Shooting the War: The Memoir and Photographs of a U-Boat Officer in World War II", Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1994.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 4th cousin 3 times removed of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) through his father, Dr. William Charles Farrar, Sr. (See Find A Grave Memorials Mark Twain and Mark Twain.
Gresham Talmadge Farrar, Sr. was the 1st cousin 3 times removed of Pleasant Riggs Crump, through his mother, Beatrice Martha Abercrombie Farrar. Pleasant Riggs Crump had the distinction of being recognized as the last surviving Civil War Confederate Veteran when he died on 31 Dec 1951. Among other notable events, he was at Appomattox Courthouse to witness the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. See Find A Grave Memorial #13397843. (Source: "The Heritage of St. Clair County" Heritage Publishing Consultants, Clanton Al, 1998, p174.)
Source:
"The John and Richard Hood Clan of Halifax County, Virginia; Burke County, North Carolina; and Pendleton and Greenville Districts, South Carolina" by Clyde B. Hood III, 2013, p204.
Bio by Dr. Gresham Farrar, Jr.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
