Charles B. Farwell, Senator and Philanthropist
Photograph of Charles B. Farwell portrait, painted by Charles E. Boutwood.
A U.S. Representative and Senator, Charles B. Farwell (1823-1903) was a Lake Forest resident whose family played key roles in the community’s early development and civic affairs. Together with his brother, John V. Farwell, Charles found earliest success in the Chicago business community before he got a start in politics as the Cook County Clerk.
Mary Evaline Smith Farwell, the force behind the launch of Lake Forest College as a coeducational institution in 1876.
In 1852 Charles B. Farwell married Mary Eveline Smith, known in the family as Eveline. Their eldest daughter Anna was born in 1860, followed by a son, Walter, in 1863, and another daughter, Grace, in 1867. Two additional siblings, twins Rose and Robert, were born in 1870 – however, only Rose would survive to adulthood.
Farwell children. Walter, Anna and Grace Farwell, c. 1869. Above: Rose Farwell, late 1870s.
Farwell and his family were early investors in the Lake Forest Association and began spending summers in a rented Lake Forest property in 1860; he built his own house, Fairlawn, a decade later.
Fairlawn, 965 East Deerpath, c. 1880.
Anticipating the needs of their three daughters, Charles and Mary Farwell reestablished Lake Forest University, which had foundered during the Civil War, as a coeducational institution. This included renovating the failing Lake Forest Hotel into a dormitory and classroom building. The Farwells funded much of the early University campus in the late 1800s, including College Hall (later Young Hall), North Hall, the gymnasium (Hotchkiss Hall), and Farwell Field.
Farwell Field, c. 1910.
In 1871, Charles B. Farwell was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. He served a total of five terms in the House, from 1871 to 1877 and again from 1881 to 1884. Then, from 1887 to 1891, he served in the U.S. Senate. He was selected by the Illinois State Senate to fill the unexpired term in office of former Senator John A. Logan, who died in office.
Chicago Tribune, January 19, 1887.
As Senator, Charles B. Farwell was instrumental in establishing Fort Sheridan south of Lake Forest after the Haymarket Riots in Chicago. He also exerted his influence to ensure that Chicago was selected to host the 1893 World’s Fair.
Charles B. Farwell and grandson Farwell Winston, 1891.