This is a transcription of the Mary (Noyes) Farr biography from New Hampshire Women: A Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Daughters and Residents of the Granite State, Who are Worthy Representatives of their Sex in the Various Walks and Conditions of Life, The New Hampshire Publishing Co., Concord, NH, 1895, page 47.
Mary (Noyes) Farr
MARY NOYES FARR is a woman of rare attainments and culture, and inherited great executive ability from her father, Rufus H. Noyes, who for many years was a prominent merchant of Landaff, her native town. She is one of the best products of that hardy New England stock, which has done so much for the progress of our country. Her great common sense and Scotch tenacity of purpose, inherited from her mother, Patience Gordon Noyes, make her success assured in all she undertakes. She was graduated from Miss Philena McKeen’s school, Andover, Mass., in 1874, and filled prominent positions as an educator in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Washington, D. C., through the influence of the late Hon. James W. Patterson, a life-long friend of the family. In 1882 she married Col. Edward Payson Farr of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and went with her husband and brother, Frank Pierce Noyes, to make a home in Dakota, where they have accumulated many fertile acres in the state of their adoption. Their home is now in Pierre, the capital city of South Dakota, where Colonel Farr is a successful banker. Mrs. Farr has identified herself with the educational interests of the state, and for several years has had charge of the art department of the Pierre University. She is at present principal of the Lincoln schools in that city, and chairman of the National Floral Emblem Society for her state. The World’s Fair commission of South Dakota was much indebted to Mrs. Farr for her superior installation of their educational exhibit at the World’s Fair, and her efficient work as juror of awards in the Liberal Arts Department. Young, vigorous, and enthusiastic, achieving a distinction second to none, she made the commission proud of the endorsement of her claims to recognition, and won an enviable position in a new state of progressive ideas and brains. New Hampshire also takes due pride in her achievements, since it was among her hills and her people that the elements of this woman’s character originated and were developed.