Early Business
  Next week the people of Farnam, pioneers and friends from far and near will gather in observance of the Golden Anniversary of Farnam. Vast changes have taken place in 50 years, as can be seen when reading the pioneer stories written of this community. A community which was barren of anything except prairie and wide open spaces, to a community of many modern and lovely homes. There were few trees when the pioneers arrived here, but with vision and a desire for things of beauty, trees were planted, and today Farnam and community have many lovely trees with the chirp, chirp of the large variety of beautiful birds all about. A pioneer mother was heard to remark, soon after coming to this community that there was not even a bush for a little bird to perch on, so the pioneers have been responsible for such changes. Many fine men and women of this community are the sons and daughters of pioneers.
The first building built in Farnam we are informed was the office for the Lincoln Land Co., and was built by W. L. Declow, on the lot where the old Jackson hardware is now located. Mr. Declow sold the lots for the company, in the new townsite of Farnam. In a short time Eugene Wood, an attorney, bought the business of Declow and put out his sign.
Where the Standard oil station is now located, was the first general store in Farnam, run by John and Bob Castile and Levi Anderson. This store building was
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moved in from Keystone. John Castile was the first postmaster for Farnam, and the first postoffice was in the back part of their store.
About where the Hines Mercantile store is now, was the first drug store, erected by E. B. Dunham.
Another building, which was probably one of the first built was a lumber yard, which was located on the lots used now by S. C. Wilcox for implement storage. The first lumberman was A. E. Gray.
On the lots, where the Co-operative station is now, was the first hotel, built by Thomas Thompson, father of W. J. Thompson.
The Tuft building still standing across from the Ford garage was another building that was moved in from Keystone. At that time it only constituted what is now the front part of the building.
The above mentioned buildings probably does not take in all the buildings which were here in 1886, but we have not been able to learn of any others.
Anthony Garven was the first blacksmith in Farnam. He built a shop and lived in the rear end until he built a hardware store building on the lots, south of the old Farnam bank building.
Other business men that might be mentioned as the first in Farnam were:
K. M. Kreecorian, doctor
J. R. Mason, banker
Rev. Woolman, resident minister
D. O. MaGoun, editor
John Frank, shoe and harness maker
Jerry Walker, photographer
Thomas Ives, depot agent
Frank Patech, implement dealer
Dave Seth, barber
There are others that perhaps were not recalled to mind at this time.
1886
1936
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Web Publisher: Weldon Hoppe