Judge Joseph W. Farris

Joseph W. Farris was born in Johnson County, Illinois where he lived and attended school until the age of 18 when he became a school teacher and studied law on his own.  In February 1889 he moved to Bloomfield, Missouri.  He was prosecuting attorney for two terms, mayor of Bloomfield, President of the Bloomfield School Board, and was a state senator.  He was a former state representative having carried more votes from his district than anyone ever had.  In 1910 he was running for a position as circuit court judge.