"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. p. 743. GEORGE R. FARRA, M. D. In 1877 Dr. George R. Farra came to Corvallis, established an office in a modest and unassuming way, and from a small beginning long ago became an important figure in professional circles in Benton county. Nor have his efforts been confined to a large practice, for his pronounced business and executive ability have resulted in a position of equal prominence as a promoter and financier. From a childhood containing little of the joy or expectancy of life the doctor has evolved single-handed his present success. He was born on a farm in Woodford county, Ky., September 13, 1843, a son of John R. and Martha J. Farra, natives of the Blue Grass state, and of German and Scotch ancestry, respectively. The parents were married July 30, 1840, thereafter continuing to live in their native state until 1847, removing then to Platte county, Mo., where the father died September 9, 1852, his wife afterward re-marrying. Dr. Farra was nine years of age when his father died, and this loss in the family was a severe blow to the growing and ambitious boy. He was required to work hard to promote the general support, and his education was sadly neglected, a deficiency which he was not slow to realize after reaching years of discretion. His first insight into regular business was acquired in a grocery store in Humboldt, Allen county, Kans., where he remained for two years, and for the following two years was interested in the drug business in Platte county, Mo. In the meantime he had been reading medicine under a well known physician and surgeon of Platte county, Dr. W. V. Moore, and during 1875 entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, from which he was duly graduated in 1877, having completed the course in a remarkably short time. After a short practice in Louisville he came to Corvallis, where he has since rendered himself indispensable to hundreds of families in this county. Many things have contributed to his successful practice, not the least of which is an agreeable and optimistic manner, and the ability to keep abreast of the progress of medical and surgical science. In this connection he has for many years been a member of the Oregon State Medical Society. The doctor is not only a large stock-holder in many of the important enterprises of Corvallis and vicinity, but has been the chief promoter and instigator of many of them. From the time of its incorporation in 1885, he has taken a keen interest in the Corvallis Water Company, of which he is the president and chief stockholder, and which owes its present prosperity to his farsighted management and progressive methods. He is a director of the old Oregon & Pacific Railroad Company, now the Corvallis & Eastern, and of the Willamette Land & Loan Association, the latter incorporated in 1889. While living in Corvallis Dr. Farra has built two residences, the latter, built in 1903, being by far the finest in the town. He married in Platte county, Mo., February 9, 1873, Amna Hamilton, a native of Missouri, who became the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased. Dr. Farra is a stanch upholder of the Democratic party, but has never worked for or desired official positions. However, he has been a member of the city council, and has served as county physician. He was for several terms a member of the pension board. He is fraternally connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he was examining physician for many years; the Woodmen of the World, of which he is a charter member and the examining physician. .He is also a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.