Robert Clement Fariss

Robert Clement Fariss

• Father: Thomas Randolph Fariss b. circa 1788
• Mother: Juriah Blanks b. circa 1795

• Robert Clement Fariss was born in February 1830 in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
• He married Catherine Dickinson on 1 August 1855 in Montgomery County, Alabama, with David Finley officiating.
• Robert Clement Fariss and Catherine Dickinson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery, Alabama, enumerated next to Robert's brother William. Other members of the household included Mamie Bell Fariss and Lulie B. Fariss. Also in the household was Ann Bell, age 50.
• He was a merchant, according to the 1860 census.
• Following the deaths of their parents, the four children of William Blanks and Susan Mary Campbell Fariss were raised in the household of theirr uncle Robert Clement Fariss, where they appear in the 1870 and 1880 censuses.
• Robert Clement Fariss appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Montgomery, Alabama, Also in the household were a day laborer, a domestic servant, and a nurse.. Other members of the household included Mamie Bell Fariss, Lulie B. Fariss, Catherine Fariss, Nancy B. Fariss, Robert Clement Fariss Jr., Thomas Randolph Fariss, Hugh H. Fariss, John Clarke Fariss, Annie Juria Fariss, Mary Jane Fariss and William Blanks Fariss Jr.
• Robert Clement Fariss and Catherine Dickinson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Montgomery, Alabama, at McDonough Street. Other members of the household included Mamie Bell Fariss, Lulie B. Fariss, Catherine Fariss, Nancy B. Fariss, Robert Clement Fariss Jr., Thomas Randolph Fariss, Hugh H. Fariss, John Clarke Fariss, Annie Juria Fariss, Mary Jane Fariss and William Blanks Fariss Jr.
• He was a grocery clerk, according to the 1880 census.
• Robert Clement Fariss became a widower at the circa 1889 death of his wife Catherine Dickinson.
• Robert Clement Fariss appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Montgomery, Alabama, at 322 McDonough Street. Other members of the household included Mamie Bell Fariss, Catherine Fariss, Nancy B. Fariss, Thomas Randolph Fariss and Hugh H. Fariss. Also in the household were Blanton grandchildren Robert F. (age 16), Kate F. (14), Phillip S. (13) and Prescott S. (10).
• Robert Clement Fariss died on 17 November 1905 at age 75 in Montgomery, Alabama.
• The following appeared on 18 November 1905 in The Montgomery Advertiser: Colonel Robert Clement Fariss, in the 76th year of his age, died at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the family residence, 322 North McDonough Street. He had been in declining health since last spring, but his health began to break more rapidly a few months ago and the family then knew that there was no hope for his recovery. He died surrounded by relatives who loved him devotedly.
       Colonel Fariss had been a citizen of Montgomery for fifty-four years and until recently he was active in the business and social circles of Montgomery. He was respected, honored and esteemed by the community and his friends were numbered by the thousands. [:CR:      In February, 1830, he was born in New Canton, Buckingham County, Va., the son of Thomas Fariss, a wealthy planter of that county. His mother was Mrs. Juriah Blanks Fariss.
       Colonel Fariss was educated in the schools of the town of his nativity. At the age of 21 he removed to Montgomery and joined his brother, the late William B. Fariss, here in the mercantile business. Later he was associated with W. F. Vandiver and he remained with this firm in an important capacity until he found that it would be better for his health to retire from business. Throughout his residence in Montgomery he had resided in the family homestead where he died.
       Fifty-nine years ago he married Miss Kate Dickinson of Virginia, a niece of the late William B. Bell and the late A. R. Bell. Mrs. Fariss preceded her husband to the grave sixteen years.
       Colonel Fariss was the father of seven sons and daughters, five of whom are living. His son, Robert Fariss, died two years ago and one daughter is also buried in Oakwood Cemetery.
       In addition to having been esteemed as a citizen of Montgomery, Colonel Fariss was beloved as a gallant Confederate soldier. In the later years of his life he was as devoted to the cause of the Confederacy as during the four years in which he fought for the stars and bars. At the outbreak of the war, he is said to have raised 2,000 soldiers at a single call. He went into the army as a captain in the 17th Alabama Infantry and was later promoted to the position of colonel.
       Colonel Fariss was formerly a member of the Andrew Jackson Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, but during the declining years of his life he was unable to take the active interest of former years in Masonry.
       He is survived by two sons, Thomas B. Fariss and Hugh H. Fariss of Montgomery, three daughters, Mrs. Harris Stringfellow of Birmingham, Mrs. Kate F. Blanton and Miss Mamie F. Fariss of Montgomery; one sister, Mrs. Joseph Blanton of Farmville, Va., and five grandchildren. He was also the uncle of Mrs. Clark C. Campbell of Austin, Tex., John C. Fariss of Chicago, William B. Fariss of New York and Miss Mary Jane Fariss of Austin, Tex. Miss Mary Jane Fariss and Mrs. Stringfellow have been here attending the bedside of Colonel Fariss during his illness.
       Colonel Fariss was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
       The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock this afternoon from the family residence, 322 North McDonough Street. Rev. G. W. Patterson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Interment will be made in Oakwood Cemetery.
• He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.

• Last Edited: 30 Nov 2013