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.

Education

He was educated at Lafayette College, where he graduated in 1871.

Marriage

He married Eliza Bogert (1840-1918) on August 26, 1871.

Children

Thomas and Eliza had six children:

1. Helen Farquhar, born 18 Jul 1876, Easton, PA; died 11 Mar 1877, Easton, PA. Married Wallis Sanford
2. Harold Bogert Farquhar, born 16 Jul 1879, Easton, PA; died 04 Oct 1946.
3. Sarah Wilson Farquhar, born 02 Mar 1878, Easton, PA; died 08 Dec 1878, Easton, PA.
4. Miriam Farquhar, born 1881; died 1956.
5. Edward Franklin “Frank” Farquhar, born 10 Mar 1883, in Ashley, Luzerne County, PA; died Mar 1960, Wilmington, DE.
6. John Frederick “Fred” Farquhar, born 10 Mar 1883, in Ashley, Luzerne County, PA; died 16 Nov 1941, Spokane, Spokane, Washington. Married Mary Elizabeth Hunt.

Photo Gallery of Thomas and Eliza’s Children:

Records for Thomas and Eliza’s Children

Occupation

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.

Daily Life

Residence

1880

Death

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.

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