Asa Walton Farr (February 28, 1821 – October 6, 1863) was an American lawyer and politician. He was district attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts from 1851 to 1853. After leaving office, he moved to Wisconsin, where he represented Walworth County the Wisconsin State Assembly for one term. He served as a Union Army quartermaster officer during the American Civil War and was murdered by Confederate guerillas in the massacre at Baxter Springs.
Asa Farr | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Walworth 4th district | |
| In office January 7, 1856 – January 5, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Levi Lee |
| Succeeded by | Elihu Enos |
| District Attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1851–1853 | |
| Preceded by | Charles R. Train |
| Succeeded by | Charles R. Train |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 28, 1821 Sharon, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 1863 (aged 42) Fort Baxter, Cherokee County, Kansas |
| Cause of death | Murdered |
| Resting place | Pioneer Cemetery, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Elisabeth Hadley (m. 1845) |
| Children |
|
| Profession | lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank | 1st Lieutenant, USV |
| Unit | 3rd Reg. Wis. Vol. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Biography
editNew England
editAsa Farr was born in Sharon, Vermont, in February 1821. He was raised and educated in New England.[1] By 1841 he was residing in Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked as a printer was connected with the publication Vox Populi. He became a lawyer in 1845 and two years later formed the firm of Butler and Farr with Benjamin Butler. In 1851, Farr was appointed district attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts by Governor George S. Boutwell. He was removed from office for political reasons by Boutwell's successor, John H. Clifford.[2]
Wisconsin
editDisheartened by his firing, Farr moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with his wife and children.[2] He was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1853 and he formed a legal partnership with Charles Minton Baker.[1]
Farr was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1855 and served in the 9th Wisconsin Legislature.[3]
Civil War
editAt the outbreak of the American Civil War, Farr volunteered for service in the Union Army and was enrolled as an assistant quartermaster in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment.[4] The 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry was involved in anti-guerilla operations in the Trans-Mississippi theater of the war, especially around the Kansas–Missouri border area.[5]
In October 1863, Farr was attached to the escort of General James G. Blunt near Fort Baxter, in Cherokee County, Kansas, when they came under attack from several hundred Confederate guerillas, led by William Quantrill. The Union caravan was overrun and many wounded and captured Union soldiers were murdered, including Farr, in what was referred to as the massacre at Baxter Springs.[5]
Personal life and family
editAsa Farr married Elisabeth Hadley on May 13, 1845, in Massachusetts. They had at least two children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Schmelz, Lisa (August 25, 2013). "A Walk Through Pioneer Cemetery". At the Lake. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Conklin, Edwin P. (1927). Middlesex County and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 198. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ Heg, J. E., ed. (1882). "Annals of the Legislature" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 192. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861–1865. Office of the Adjutant General of Wisconsin. 1886. p. 91. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Quiner, Edwin B. (1866). "Regimental History–Third Cavalry". The Military History of Wisconsin. Clarke & Co. p. 916. Retrieved December 22, 2021.