Richard S. Farrand, born on October 1, 1852, in St. Joseph Township, Indiana, became a prominent figure in Lee County, Illinois, through his dedication to law and public service. After leaving home at eleven, Farrand supported himself and pursued an education, eventually moving to Lee County at age fifteen. He taught school before becoming Deputy Sheriff in 1877, and later studied law under A. C. Bardwell, gaining admission to the bar in 1879. Elected County Judge in 1882, Farrand served multiple terms and was also a former Mayor of Dixon. He married C. J. Marsh in 1873, and they had two sons, one of whom, Ernest W., survived to adulthood.
Richard S. Farrand, County Judge of Lee County, has risen to his present distinguished position as a member of the judiciary of this State while yet a comparatively young man, by the force of an invincible will, a strong character, and untiring devotion to his profession, and through rare personal merit. He was born in St. Joseph Township, Allen County, Ind., October 1, 1852. His father, who bears the same name as himself, is a native of Oneida County, N.Y. When a young man, he left his early home and cast his lot with the pioneers of Indiana. He bought a tract of partly improved land in St. Joseph Township, and lived there some years. He then sold that place and bought property in Perry Township, of which he is still a resident. In 1888 he was bereft of the companionship of his wife by her death. She was also a native of Oneida County, N.Y., and her maiden name was Delilah Cook.
He of whom we write left the parental home at the early age of eleven years, and from that time earned his own living, displaying an independence of character and a reliance upon self far beyond his years. He worked on the farm by the month in the summer season, and in winter did chores for his board while he attended school and devoted all his spare time to his books, as he was ambitious to secure an education that would enable him to win a name and a place for himself in the world. He remained in his native county until he was fifteen years old, and then came to this State, and has ever since been a resident of Lee County. He continued his old employment as a farm laborer in the summer seasons, and devoted his winters to attending school until he was eighteen years old. At that age he began teaching in Viola Township and taught school for seven years. In 1877 he was called to public life by his appointment as Deputy Sheriff by J. N. Hill. He came to Dixon to assume the duties of his position and soon commenced the study of law with A. C. Bardwell. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and formed a partnership with Mr. Bardwell, with whom he practiced until 1882. He rose rapidly in his profession, becoming in a few years a leading lawyer of this section of the State, and in 1882 he was elected County Judge, was re-elected in 1886, and again in 1890, and is now serving his third term in that office. He was selected for this high position as a lawyer possessing an accurate knowledge of the common law, and as being richly endowed with those elements of character that peculiarly fit him to preside over a court of justice. And thus when he was scarcely thirty years of age, he had won his way to the bench and has since gained recognition as one of our ablest judges. Other honors have been conferred upon him, and at one time he was elected Mayor of Dixon. Politically, he is a Republican. In his social relations, he is a member of Brooklyn Lodge, A.F. & A.M.; of Nachusa Chapter, No. 56, R.A.M.; Lodge No. 137, A.O.U.W.; and of Camp No. 56, M.W.A.
Judge Farrand and Miss C. J. Marsh were united in marriage in 1873. They have an attractive home wherein they dispense a charming hospitality with true courtesy and a kindly consideration for others that mark their intercourse with all, whether friend or stranger. They have one son living, Ernest W. Their son, Wilbur A., died at the age of ten years. Mrs. Farrand is, like her husband, a native of Indiana, and she is the daughter of Harry Marsh.