Thomas McKeen Farquhar (1849-1913)
Thomas McKeen Farquhar
Thomas McKeen Farquhar was the oldest child of John Fraser Farquhar and Sarah Wilson, was born on June 10, 1849, in Chanceford, Pennsylvania. He was named after Thomas McKean, the politician. In his early teens when the Civil War started, if he was anything like most boys, he must have been terribly frustrated at being too young to fight. I imagine he was thrilled to visit the battleground of Gettysburg just a few days after fighting ceased, and must have reveled in his assignment (mentioned in his father’s letter) to hide the horse.
He was educated at Lafayette College, where he graduated in 1871.
He married Eliza Bogert on August 26, 1871?. They had six children: Helen; Harold Bogert, born 1879; Sarah Wilson; Miriam, born 1881; and twin sons, Edward Franklin Farquhar and John Frederick Farquhar. The twins were born in 1883 in Ashley, Pennsylvania, and were called by their middle names, Frank and Fred. Thomas McKeen worked as a teacher in Easton from 1873 to 1882 and then Principal of Schools in Ashley from 1882 to 1888 from Superintendent of Schools, in Bethlehem from 1888 until 1896 and Principal of Schools in Freeland, Pennsylvania 1904 to 1912. He died at the age of 65 from heart trouble in 1914 in Bethlehem just after returning from church, and was buried in Nisky Hill Cemetery.
Here is his obituary from the Bethlehem Globe Times, October 20, 1913, 6:4:
Thomas McKeen Farquhar
Thomas McKeen Farquhar, for many years head of the Bethlehem Public Schools, up until 1897, yesterday at noon, upon his return from attendance at church, died of heart disease in his late home, 36 North Center street, Bethlehem. He was in his 65th year, having been born June 10, 1849, at Chanceford. He was engaged at teaching all of his professional life. Mr. Farquhar was well known throughout the State. He leaves his widow, Eliza Bogert Farquhar, and six children, as follows: Miss Helen, New York City; Miss Sarah, and Harold B., Bethlehem; Mrs. Bertrand Van Sickle, Jersey City Heights, N.J.; Frederick, Moscow, Idaho; and Frank, Lexington, Ky.; two brothers and two sisters, Mrs. Harry Norton, and Miss Margaret Farquhar, Easton; John, New York City, and Joseph, Kansas City, Mo., and five grandchildren. The funeral will take place on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. with a brief service in the house. Interment in Nisky Hill Cemetery will be private.
Thomas McKeen Farquhar Obituary
