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William H. Farrar, M. D., of De Soto, is a native of Arcadia, Iron Co.,
Mo., and was born in 1856.  His father, Dr. George Farrar, is of Scotch
descent, and was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1839; he is also a physician

by profession, and is a graduate of Pope Medical College, St. Louis.  The 

latter moved to Iron County in 1854, and two years later entered upon the 

active practice of medicine, where he has since continued as one of the 

influential and prominent physicians of Iron County.  He married Harriet 

P. Russell, who was a colonel in the Revolutionary War.  To this union 

nine children were born, William H. being the third.  He received his 

literary education in Arcadia College, and at the age of seventeen began 

the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his father.  In 1872 he 

entered St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he graduated 

in March, 1874.  In 1876 he located at Valle's Mines, Jefferson County, 

and engaged in practice for two years, at the expiration of which time 

he came to De Soto, where he has since been located.  In the latter place 

he bought a drug store, which he successfully conducts in connection with 

his large and lucrative practice.  He enjoys the most extensive practice 

of any physician of Jefferson County, and with one exception is the oldest 

resident practitioner of De Soto.  In December, 1877, he married Miss 

Maggie A. Cole who was born in Jefferson County, Mo., in 1858.  They have 

one child, Gertrude May.  The Doctor is a democrat, politically, and a 

member of the A. O. U. W.