Nezperce Idaho, Thursday July 5, 1945FUNERAL MONDAY FOR M.T. FARRISPioneer Called Saturday At Lewiston After Long, Active Life The life of one of central Idaho’s outstanding pioneer characters came to an end at 1:05 Saturday morning with the passing of Major T. Farris at St. Joseph’s hospital in Lewiston. After enjoying unusually good health throughout his life, he became ill only nine days before with an abdominal disorder and it soon was evident to his attending physicians that there could be little hope for his recovery. All of his children were at his bedside when the end came. A resident of central Idaho since 1890, Mr. Farris enjoyed and endured all the experiences of the early days of the area, farming and freighting in the South Fork country long before the opening of the Nez Perce reservation. A man of endless energy and vitality, he was never idle and began each task with a vigor that characterized him. In pursuing both his work and pleasure he ranged wide over the central Idaho country gaining a wide acquaintance – few if any of whom could not be counted as his friends. He refused even to let old age handicap his activity and continued to carry on with manual work until his last illness, in spite of the fact that his success in life would have permitted his retirement many years ago. Until 1944 he worked regularly in the harvest season and it was uncommon to find any entertainment within a 50-mile radius at which he was not an enthusiastic participant. Born in 1868 in Illinois, Mr. Farris heeded the words “Go west” and came to Idaho as a young man locating first at Clearwater. After a few years there he moved to Winona in 1893 and the following year he was married to Selena Benoy of Grangeville. They were successful in farming in that community and reared their four children there. In 1922 they bought the Curtis Miller place two and a half miles northeast of Nezperce where their successful operations continued. Mrs. Farris passed away in 1938. Mr. Farris always took an active interest in community affairs, serving several terms as commissioner of Lewis county. Two years ago he moved to Lewiston where he had since been employed by Bob Wright. Funeral services were held at two o’clock Monday afternoon at the community church in Nezperce where the building was filled to capacity with old friends who had come to pay their last respects to the deceased. Rev. Harry Slick of Spokane delivered the sermon and beautiful vocal trio numbers were rendered by Leslie Baskett; Mrs. Claude Miller and Miss Louise Miller. Active pallbearers were George Thomas, Joe Luz, Glen Miller, Gay Miller, Joe Stach and Joe Barbee. Honorary pallbearers were G.C. Pennell, S.L. Stapleton, Maurice Younger, W.R. Emerson, Lew Clark and Martin Lux. Local Odd Fellows, of which lodge he was a veteran member, attended in a body. Interment was in t he local cemetery. Surviving the deceased are three daughters and a son. Mrs. Harry Wise and Mrs. Lawrence Sather, Spokane; Mrs. Roy Akers, Portland and Garlin Farris, Nezperce; two sisters, Mrs. Sam McKenzie of Portland and Mrs. Laura Blakely, Walla Walla; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Card of ThanksFor the many kindnesses and sympathy extended to us during our recent bereavement we wish to express our sincere appreciation. The M.T. Farris Family
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