The Farwell family has played an important role in the history of Lake Forest. GazeboNews wanted to know more about the family as well as Farwell House, which news accounts are describing as a "historic home." We checked in with Laurie Stein, curator of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Historical Society. Here's the information she provided.
- Looking at old Lake Forest phone books, it appears that Frank Farwell and his family moved into the home at 1590 N. Waukegan Road sometime between 1950 and 1954. We haven't been able to uncover when the house was built yet. According to articles in the Chicago Tribune, the property (at least, the acreage) seems to have come into the family in 1912, when J. V. Farwell Jr. (Frank Farwell's great-uncle) purchased it as an investment.
- The Farwells are an old Lake Forest family. Frank Farwell's great-grandfather, John Villiers Farwell, had a major wholesale dry goods firm in Chicago in the 1850s and 1860s, which became known as J. V. Farwell & Co. You can learn more about J. V. Farwell & Co. by clicking this link to encyclopedia.chicagohistory.com.
- John Villiers Farwell and his brother Senator Charles B. Farwell were among the first to build major villa homes in Lake Forest in the 1860s and 1870s. You can learn more about their homes here.
- Frank Farwell's great-grandfather J. V. Farwell served as mayor of Lake Forest in 1871-72, and his dad, Albert Day Farwell, was mayor in 1931-1934. Frank Farwell was mayor of Lake Forest in 1984-1987. His term included the launch of CROYA, the acquisition of Ragdale, and financing to rebuild Lake Forest Beach.
If you would like more information on the Farwell family, please visit the LF/LB Historical Society's offices at 361 E. Westminster Ave., Lake Forest.
Mayor Frank (Francis II) Farwell’s term as mayor in 1984-87 corresponded with the redevelopment of the Lake Forest Beach (with the support of his late spouse Jean, a member of the LF Garden Club), the acceptance of the gift of the Ragdale property on N. Green Bay Road, and the founding of CROYA, three signature features of 21st century Lake Forest. Frank also has been a trustee of Lake Forest College for over a half century, and was a leader of the institution’s 150th celebration in 2007.
Chicagoans John V. Farwell and his brother, C.B. Farwell, were among the original purchasers of of stock in the Lake Forest Association in 1856, by 1857 converted in their East Deerpath properties, near the lake and Forest Park. They built though after the Civil War, in 1868-70. John V. Farwell was one of the leading elders of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest in the 1870s.
Frank’s father, Albert Farwell, was mayor in 1931-34, tough years for the community, and his great grandfather, John V. Farwell, was mayor here in 1871-72, the era of the Chicago Fire that brought new families to town.
Frank’s grandparents, the Francis Farwells (I) built their home at the south end of Stone Gate, next to Francis’s brother, J.V. Farwell, Jr. Their garden extending west had both Italian villa and Asian (Monet-garden) features of national note. The Albert Farwells lived here and later on Onwentsia Road where Frank’s mother, Edith Foster Farwell’s nationally known garden hosted service men during World War II.
My name is Marion Farwell, oldest daughter of Frank Farwell II. We moved into our house at 1590 N. Waukegan Rd. when I was 6 years old. I am now 65. It was and always will be in memory – all of which are good ones, a wonderful and special place full of good feeling and charm. I had a happy childhood there riding and playing outside.
Marion “Marsie” Farwell, January 8th, 2010