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James Farndale
FAR00607
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Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.
Headlines of Jim’s life are in brown.
References and citations are in turquoise.
Context and local history are in purple.
Geographical
context is in green.
See also the Farndales of Tidkinhow
Carpenter, Union Leader
and Senator for Nevada State.
Tidkinhow
1885
James Farndale was born on 22 December 1885 at Tidkinhow,
the son of Martin and Catherine Jane Farndale (FAR00364) of Tidkinhow Farm (PR and family knowledge).
James Farndale’s birth was registered for
Guisborough District in the first quarter of 1886 (GRO
Vol 9d page 493). James was the first member of the family to be born at Tidkinhow. He was the sixth child and the
fourth son of Martin and
Catherine Farndale.
1891
The 1891 Census for Red Lion Howe, Stanghow
listed Martin Farndale, 46, farmer and ironstone miner; Catherine Farndale, 35;
John Farndale, 12, born 1879 at Kilton; Elizabeth Farndale, 11, born 1880 at
Kilton; Martin Farndale, 9, born 1882 at Kilton; George Farndale, 8, born 1882
at Kilton; Catherine J Farndale, 6, born 1885 at Ugthorpe; James Farndale, 5,
born 1886, Stanghow; Mary F Farndale, 2, born 1889, Stanghow; and William
Farndale, 0, born 1891, Stanghow.
As with his siblings, James
started school, aged 5, with his brothers and sisters and, at age 11, he went to Boosbeck,
but unlike the rest except Kate, he on to Guisborough
County School.
1901
On leaving school, James worked for a local farmer called Petch for a while, was a
miner for a while and helped his father at Tidkinhow. He was always keen on
learning and in his early days he was always studying and reading. He, like his
siblings, would listen to all the talk about Canada and he would have
seen that there was little hope for him at home.
The 1901 census for Whitely Springs Farm, Egglescliffe, Stockton, County Durham listed James
Farndale, aged 15, a stockman to John
Oldfield, the farmer. There were two stockmen, and his fellow stockman was Joseph
Chaplow.
1908
James Farndale in about 1908
1910
The boys of Tidkinhow in
about 1910 (John, James, Alfred, William, George and inset Martin).
Alberta,
Canada
1911
James Farndale, emigrated to Alberta,
Canada in 1911.
On 31 March 1911, James
(“Jim”) sailed to Canada on the SS Canada. James Farndale departed Liverpool
and arrived Halifax, Nova Scotia on 10 April 1911.He travelled with his
brother, George Farndale, who emigrated with him. There is a transcript of Jim’s diary recording his emigration to
Canada. It is recommended that you read his diary, which is a contemporaneous
record of his journey to Canada and his first month there.
Jim arrived in Alberta
to stay with his brother Martin Farndale.
He did not stay long in Canada before he went to America for the
rest of his life (Our Huxley Heritage).
Valparaiso
University, Illinois
1915
Jim always wanted to improve
his education and there wasn't much chance in those early days in Canada. So he decided to go on to USA. He 1915, he managed to get
into Dulath High School from where he got himself a place at Valpraiso
University in Indiana (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Valparaiso University
(Valpo) is a private university in Valparaiso, Indiana. It is an independent
Lutheran university with five undergraduate colleges and a graduate school. In
1905 the university formed an affiliation with Chicago College of Dental Surgery
to provide dental education for its students. For the next two decades, Valpo
gained a national reputation as an economical institution of higher learning,
earning its positive nickname The Poor Man’s Harvard. At the height of enrollment in 1907, it was the second-largest school in the
nation, behind only Harvard University. In 1914, monthly literary magazine The
Torch was founded; it became the university's weekly student newspaper in 1915.
1917
It was on 20
January 1917 at Valpraiso University that he met Edna
Adams whom he married on 25 September 1917.
(From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas in
July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
When the USA declared war on Germany in
1917, Jim joined the American Army Enlisted in US Army at Plymouth, Indiana. Jim enlisted on 31
August 1917.
James Farndale, married Edna Adams on 25 September 1917.
James and Edna
James and Edna after their wedding on 25 September 1917
Overseas
Service
Jim served in the US Army in France 1917 -1918. James enlisted on 31
August 1917 and was discharged on 1 August 1919. Jim was posted to San Antonio,
Texas and then to Dijon, France. Very little is known of his military service
except that he caught a very bad dose of influenza from which he never did
fully recover. However at the end of the war, he did
manage to visit Tidkinhow again. (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Plymouth,
Indiana
James in Plymouth, Indiana
in 1917
1918
James amongst a field of
corn and pumpkins in about 1918
In 1918, he was posted to San Antonio where
he left the army. He and Edna returned to live at Plymouth, Indiana, but by then Jim had developed lung trouble. He began to make a living at carpentry (From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).In 1918, Jim visited
Tidkinhow after the war ended (From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from
Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
1920
The US 1920 Census, taken on 12 January 1920
for La Porte City, Indiana, USA (about 20km east of Chicago) listed James
Farndale, married, 34, carpenter for ‘houses’ and Edna
Farndale, married, 25
The South Bend Tribune, 23
December 1920:
Plymouth. Mr and Mrs James Farndale are planning to go to California next
week.
Los
Angeles, California
During 1920, Jim and Edna moved to Los Angeles to
try to get to a better climate and to be near Edna's parents. They built a
house for Edna’s parents, then Jim built their own home (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Between 1920 and 1927, Jim worked in an architect’s office in Los Angeles, attending
University of California (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
At this time, Jim was
working in an architect's office and at the same time, he was attending the
University of California in Los Angeles. He did this until 1929 when his health
began to give him serious trouble and the doctors said he must live in a really dry climate.
1921
The Pasadena Post, 1 December
1921 … Sierra
Madre. The Congregational Church bazaar, under the auspices of the Ladies’ Aid
Society of this church will open to the public at 10 o’clock Friday morning in
the woman's clubhouse … Mrs Farndale will be in charge at the children's corner...
1922
Hazel Jane (Janie) Farndale was born in September
1922 in California (FAR00881).
1923
James Noel (Jim) Farndale was born in 1923 in
California (FAR00889).
Las
Vegas, Nevada
1926
Mary Ellen Farndale was born in 1926 in Nevada (FAR00902).
The Pasadena Post, 27 October
1926 … Organisation
of the campaign committee of more than 50 for Attorney Harold D Leddy, World
War veteran, candidate for justice of the peace of Pasadena Township, has been
affected. The following citizens have accepted enrolment on the committee, it
is announced column... James Farndale...
1927
In May 1927, the family moved to a ranch in the desert because
of Jim’s health. Life was a struggle. Jim worked as a finish carpenter. (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
1928
In February 1928, the family moved to Las Vegas and Jim built a house. (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Las Vegas in 1928
Still far from Las Vegas in 2016
1929
Life became a hard struggle
for Jim and he did the best he could as a 'finish
carpenter'. In 1930, Jim is shown in a Las Vegas telephone directory as
executive manager of the County Housing Authority.
1930
The
US Census, 1930 for the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA, taken on 3
April 1930 listed James Farndale, head 44, carpenter for ‘houses’; Edna
Farndale, 35; Hazel J Farndale, 7; James N Farndale, 6; and Mary E Farndale, 3
The Land Office Records, 1930, Sacramento, San Bernadino,
California included James Farndale, - CA, Meridian 27, Township Range 019N to
012E, Aliquots, NE ¼, section 22.
Sacramento, 020821
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To all to whom these
presents shall come, Greetings:
WHEREAS, a Certificate of
the Register Land Office at Sacramento, California, has been deposited in the
General Land Office, whereby it appears that, pursuant to the Act of Congress
of May 20, 1862, “To Secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers on the Public Domain”,
and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of James Farndale has been
established and duly consummated, in conformity to law, for the
northeast quarter of section twenty two in the Township nineteen north of Range
twelve east of the San Bernardino Meridian, California, containing 160
acres,
according to the official
plot of the survey of the said land, on file in the General Land Office
NOW KNOW YE, that there is,
therefore, granted by the United States on to the said claimant the tract of
land above described; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land, with the
appurtenances thereof, unto the said claimant and to the heirs and assigns of
the said claimant forever; subject to any vested and accrued water rights for
mining, agriculture agricultural, manufacturing or other purposes, and rights
of ditches and reservoirs used in connection with such water rights, as may be
recognised and acknowledged by the local customs, laws and decisions of courts;
and there is reserved from the lands hereby granted a right of way thereon for
ditches or canals constructed by the authority of the United States.
In testimony where of, I, Herbert Hoover, president at the United States of
America, have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the
general land office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hands, at the city
of Washington, the 12th day of August in the year of our Lord 1000 930 and of
the independence of the United States the one hundred and fifty fifth
By the
president Herbert Hoover, Viola B Pugh, Secretary
1931
In 1931, the family drove by car to visit the family in Alberta,
Canada,
where Jim's youngest brother and sister, Alfred and
Grace, had by then joined Martin, George and Kate. It was remembered as quite a
reunion.
Martin, James, Kate, Grace, George and Alfred at Kate's homestead near Trochu, Canada
during Jim's visit in 1931 (Jim's car)
1932
Gordon Elliott Farndale was born on 15 April 1932
in Nevada (FAR00924).
The Las Vegas Age, 15 April
1932: FARNDALES HAVE A SON.
Mr and Mrs James Farndale were receiving congratulations yesterday on the birth
of an 8 ¼ pound
son, born to Mrs Farndale at their home at 922 S 2nd St, Friday morning.
Although still a finish carpenter, Jim had become Business Agent for
the Carpenter's Union. It was in this year that
he first became involved in the
Boulder Dam project.
Jim became very active in the Boulder Dam Project. (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Hoover Dam, originally
known as Boulder Dam, was built on the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936.
Named after U.S. President Herbert Hoover, the dam is still a major supplier of
hydroelectric power, while also providing flood control, river regulation, and
improved navigation. The dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936
during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive
effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over 100 lives. It was referred
to as the Hoover Dam after President Herbert Hoover in bills passed by Congress
during its construction; it was named the Boulder Dam by the Roosevelt
administration. The Hoover Dam name was restored by Congress in 1947.
To protect the
construction site from the Colorado River and to facilitate the river's
diversion, two cofferdams were constructed. Work on the upper cofferdam began
in September 1932, even though the river had not yet been diverted. The first
concrete was poured into the dam on June 6, 1933, 18 months ahead of schedule. With most work finished on the dam itself (the powerhouse
remained uncompleted), a formal dedication ceremony was arranged for September
30, 1935, to coincide with a western tour being made by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
1934
Las Vegas Age, 7 September
1934: Celebration
Said to be the Greatest Ever Given Here. The Labor Day celebration, said
to be the greatest and most successful undertaken undertaking ever staged in
Las Vegas, not only financially but in every way, according to J
Farndale who is in charge of the affair. The
Carpenters Local Union 1780 handled every detail including the rodeo. Members
of the committee included DW Jackson, W D Dean, Oscar Logan, Oliver Lance, H F
Hayes, and Farndale, chairman. Hayes was the only committee man who was not a
member of the carpenter’s union. The programmes,
distributed over the Labor Day celebration, included several pages of the latest
data on the dam, authentic in every detail as it was written by Walker R
Young of the Reclamation Bureau. Extra copies of the programme may be obtained
free of charge from James Farndale, or from the office of Alfred Boyle in the
VFW hall. Copies will be placed in Boulder City also....
1935
Doris Irene Farndale was born in 1935 in Nevada (FAR00938).
Mary Ellen Farndale
1936
In 1936, Jim was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. This
now gave him a very full life where at last he could exercise his ability and
knowledge, even though he was still troubled by ill health.
The Las Vegas Age, 28 August
1936: FARNDALE
BUSY ON MANY THINGS. James Farndale, candidate for assemblyman, has had
a busy and useful career which has stored his mind with experience in affairs
that will provide prove valuable. He served 23 months in the U S army during the World War,
part of the time overseas in France. By vocation he is a Carpenter. Mr Farndale
came to Las Vegas in 1928, and during his entire residence here has been active
in organised labour and veterans activities. He held
office as secretary and also as President of Clark County Central Labour
Council in 1930, and since 1933 has been secretary and business agent of the
local carpenters union. He was active in guiding
the labor policies on the Boulder Dam project. At
present, Mr Farndale, is commander of Fred S Pennington Post, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and was active in the work which brought about payment of the soldiers bonus.
1937
Janie, Jim, Gordon and Mary in 1937
The Reno Gazette Journal, 23
January 1937: Carson,
Nevada, Jan 23. Committee assignments in the assembly were announced
last night by speaker William Kennett and they will organise on Monday and take
up duties that have been held in abeyance for a week. Berkeley L Bunker, young
assemblyman from Clark County heads the Ways and Means committee. The
assignments follows:... Building and construction
- George Townshend (chairman), J E
Sweatt, James Farndale, Claude Smith, HE Haviland....
The Nevada State Journal, 27
February 1937: James
Farndale proposed that the state minimum wage law of £5 a day be made to
apply to all projects in which all or part of the cost is contributed by the
state….
1938
Jimmy, Janie, Mary, Doris and Grace Farndale in California in August 1938
1939
The Nevada State Journal, 30
July 1939: OFFICERS
AND COMMITTEES, VERTERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, DEPARTMENT OF NEVADA. STATE
OFFICERS. Commander – James Farndale, Post No 1753, Las Vegas, PO Box 293 …
The Nevada State Journal, 11
August 1939:
James Farndale, department commander of the veterans of foreign wars of the United states, will preside over an administrative council
session in Reno Sunday. Later in the day, he will be among the guests of honour
at the VFW days celebration at the Reno race track.
The Nevada State Journal, 6
August 1939: To
the Editor: May I take this means to thank you for the space which you so
generously devoted to the programme of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States in your splendid edition of Sunday, July 30. I am sure that our
entire membership in the state of Nevada deeply appreciates you fine spirit of
cooperation. It is indeed gratifying to find in these times, a newspaper ready
to uphold and put forth the patriotic ideology which dominates the programme of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. No group so much as the
overseas veterans realise the danger which today besets the path of our
democracy, and we shall stand eternally on guard against the isms of those
forces now on the march, which seek to overturn it. Please accept the thanks of
the department of Nevada, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Yours
very truly, James Farndale, Department Commander, Las Vegas, Nevada.
1940
After a four year period, Jim was
re-elected for a second term, in 1940; a great honour and he was by then a recognised leader of Nevada State.
The Nevada State Journal, 10
July 1940: James
Farndale, Las Vegas Democrat and labor
representative, may be a candidate for the assembly. He served one term and
lost out in a wild scramble two years ago. ..
Gordon Elliott and Doris
Irene Farndale
The US Census of 1940 for 922, South Second
Street, Las Vegas listed James Farndale, 52, head, carpenter; Edna Farndale,
43; Hazel J Farndale, 17; James N Farndale, 16; Mary Ellen Farndale, 13; Gordon
E Farndale, 7; Doris I Farndale, 4.
Jim was now proving himself
to be an efficient administrator through his work with the Carpenter's
Union and the Boulder Dam Project. He developed a reputation
for reliability and honesty.
The Nevada State Journal, 25
June 1940. Nevada
veterans hold joint meeting in Las Vegas. Largely
attended department conventions of the United Spanish War Veterans, and
Veterans of Foreign Wars were held recently in Southern Nevada, details of the
two conclaves being outlined as follows: VFW. The 6th annual encampment of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars opened in the Legion Hall at Boulder City, with James
Farndale, department commander, presiding …
The Sacramento Bee, 6 February
1941: … Assemblyman
James Farndale of Las Vegas offered a bill which would create an electrical
administrative board which would control electrical work in the state. It
applies an appropriation for the pay of inspectors ..
1942
In 1942, Jim Farndale was elected to serve in the Nevada State
Senate and was to complete a four year term, until
1946.
PRIMARY
ELECTIONS PLACE MANY ON BALLOTS IN VARIOUS NEVADA COUNTIES.
Returns
from the primary election for all counties in the state, through which many
candidates were eliminated, indicate that the following contenders for office
will be on the November ballots in the various counties in addition to justices
of the peace and constables in many places. In a few instances the local
contests were very close and there may be some changes.
Clark
County. District Judge dash Roger Foley, George Marshall...
Assembly
men (four to be elected): C D Baker (D), Berkeley Bunker (D), Clifford A Jones
(D), James Farndale (D), Miss Maizie Martin (R) ....
World War 2 Registration
Card in 1942
James’ son, Jim Farndale who
served in the US Army Air Corps 1942 to 1945.
1943
The Nevada State Journal, 27
January 1943: …
In the Senate the first administration measure of the session, the
civilian defense bill made its appearance. It
provides an annual salary of $1,200 for a state director of civilian defence
and $1,800 annual salary for a chief Clark. The bill would appropriate $35,000
to carry on the council's work during the next biennium. It was explained the
$35,000 appropriation covers a period of 28 months. Farndale explained,
although it was not specifically provided in the act, that if the war ends
before the end of the 28 months, the funds will revert to the general fund
“after a reasonable time.” Farndale, in introducing the measure, declared
“practically every state in the union has a separately financed civilian
defence organisation.” He called attention to the fact Utah’s civilian defence
group has 15 paid members and California’s 80. Under the proposed law, Nevada
will operate with two paid members, but with the proviso the personnel can be
increased to three with an addition of $1,800 a year clerk in event of
emergency. In breaking down the appropriation, Farndale pointed out the salary
of the director for 28 months would be $98,00, the clerk $4,200, the emergency
clerk $4,200, if needed: travel $7,000, supplies $1,500, OCD supplies,
including insignia, $1,000, educational films $1,000, includes purchase of
posters, publications and printing $2,000, and
miscellaneous $3,000. Farndale praised the “conservative operation” of the
present civilian defence set up under Director Hugh Shamberger, who, it is
provided, would become director of the state council if the bill passes.
The Nevada State Journal, 27
February 1943: Work
Ailment Bill Hearing Draws Crowd. Carson City. In the legislature today the
principal opening hearing of the afternoon, at least the one which drew the
largest crowd, was that of the senate labour committee which is considering a
bill proposing establishment of compensation for workers who contract
occupational diseases... Frank Hoagland, of the Consolidated Copper Mines
Corporation, of White Pine County, and George Thatcher, Reno attorney for the
corporation, previously had met with senators James Farndale and Charles
Russell, members of the committee sponsoring the bill...
The Nevada State Journal, 27
April 1943: Farndale
named on Labor Council. James Farndale, senator from Clark County and vice
president of the Nevada Federation of Labor, today was reappointed to a four year term on the Nevada Employment Security
Council. The appointment was announced by governor EP Carville. Farndale,
one of the outstanding administration leaders in the last legislature, will
represent employees on the council....
1945
He did much work on housing projects in the State and never forgot
the World War One veterans.
James’ letter to his brother
Alfred on 16 March 1945:
Committees: Labor; Mileage;
Public Lands; State Prison and Hospital for Mental Diseases; Education, State
Library and Public Morals.
James Farndale
State Senator
Clark County
922 S Second Street
Las Vegas
Nevada
3 – 16 - 45
Dear Alf.
I know you will be surprised
to hear from me, but I just thought that it would be a good time to write to
you.
Our state of Nevada
Government, which we call our Legislature is in session, and as you know I
am a member of the Senate or the upper house. Each county of the state has
one Senator. The session which lasts 60 days is about over but we have to stay on the job till all of the details are worked
out, before we can go home.
I enjoy this work very much
as I have always very much interested in political matters and matters
concerning government. There is of course quite a bit of honour in being a
member of the Legislature.
We don't meet every year but
once in two years, then only for 60 days. There is always a lot to do. Any
member can introduce bills and I always get more done than average, because I
work harder than most of them. This letter head indicates the committees that
I'm on.
I don't know whether or not you have heard that Jimmy made one flight
to England. He had your address but he said while
he was in England they wouldn't let him out of camp long enough to even try to
telephone or visit. He came over by way of Brazil, there crossed the Atlantic
to the coast of Africa and up north across Portugal and then landed I think in
the Land's End area, where they delivered the plane and then went through
London and north to Scotland crossing back to the US by plane. He had a great
trip but was naturally disappointed in being so close to you and yet not able
to see you. But that is the way with war as you both know from our experience
in the First World War.
Jimmy made two flights to India, and was wrecked in the jungles near Calcutta I
believe, was stranded among natives for two days, and they had to leave the
plane. He has visited Cairo twice and has seen many of India's important
points.
He now is in the Pacific,
but he is still back in the US. They make trips over into the various isles
about every two or three weeks. He is sure getting experience and is seeing the
world. He is not satisfied when he is not in the air. They are keeping him busy
now.
Janie’s husband has been sent
overseas because I don't know whether he is out of U S yet or not. They have
been living in Arizona, but she probably now will come back to near us while he
is away. We are hoping so.
Mary is finished high school and
in Washington at present, but she expects to go to college but not until next
school year.
The
two young ones are at home, Gordon and Dorothy. They are in school of course and will be there for several years
yet. They are growing rapidly now.
Edna is quite well and is very
busy. She does a lot of community work especially among the servicemen.
I expect to be back home in
a couple of days, and will have to get back into my
work immediately on returning.
I would very much like to
hear from you soon, and if you have the time give me news of your family and of
all the news of the relatives since I hear very little of them. I will try to
write occasionally now that I have broken my habit of not writing.
Best wishes to all.
Yours J Farndale.
PS please give my regards to
all the others as you see them.
1946
The Nevada State Journal, 31
March 1946. NEVADA
POLITICS … Senators whose terms expire this year are … James Farndale (D) of
Clark …
1950
The US Census
of 1950 for Nevada listed James Farndale, 64, County Housing Executive Director; Edna Farndale, 55; Gordon
Farndale, 18; Doris Farndale, 14.
1951
In 1951, Jim and his daughter, Hazel Jane (always known as Janie)
visited Canada again. By this time, his younger brother, Alfred had returned to
England.
Edna and Jim with John and
Janie Rydell
Jim wrote to Martin Farndale
(FAR00911),
Alf’s son, and the pioneer of this family research, on 22 March 1951:
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
March 22, 1951
Lieutenant M B Farndale
1st Regiment
Royal Horse Artillery
MELF 15 Egypt
Dear Martin
I started a letter to you
several weeks ago and mailed it but it was returned
insufficiently addressed. I then wrote to Aunt Grace and asked her to send your
address. It just got here today, so I am trying again. Hope this reaches you.
We also had a very newsy
letter from her with more news about the folks in England. She makes me
homesick to be back there for a visit, but I don't know whether
or not I will ever get to go. Aunt Grace and Uncle Howard are spending
the winter in Calgary as you no doubt know. Aunt Kate had been visiting with
them and I think uncle George also had paid them a
visit. In that part of the world everyone is well. They've been having bad
weather lately.
We are quite well here too. Janie
is living with her husband and two boys in Arizona. John is still in the Air
Force there and they own their own home. He may be going overseas before long and she may be with us more in that event. Jimmy
is in Texas working for a commercial airline. He does a lot of flying in his
off hours. He flies around the country but doesn't get home. His company
doesn't fly anywhere near here.
He and I took a trip last
summer during which we flew a total of 8,000 miles. He came home then but
hasn't been back since. We saw a lot of the country. We flew up the Pacific
Coast from Los Angeles, California, to Seattle, Washington, and then we went to
Kansas City, Dallas, Texas and to Chicago, Illinois. He is in the Air Force
reserve and may be called back in the service anytime.
Gordon and Doris, the two which you have
never seen, are at home with us. Gordon has finished high school and started
college, but he quit because he thought he would soon be drafted into the Armed
Services. He will be 19 next month and then he likely will go. Doris is in her
first year at high school and is doing very well.
Mary is in Los Angeles,
California. She is working for a wholesale drug company, and
attending classes at night.
Aunt Edna is quite well. There was
recently a death in her family. Her stepfather died. He was 86 though so when
he got sick he went rapidly. Her mother is left alone
at 83. So that is something to worry about.
I'm still in the same
position managing a government housing project. Our work is picking up now. Our
housing units are filling up with defence workers.
As you know there is in this
country a great movement on to rearm the country. It has not reached anything
like the proportions of the last war, but the entire neat nation is gearing
itself for a long hard struggle. It was on hold off for a few years, but we
shall be ready for what happens. There is a growing belief here that Russia
will eventually start a major war. It is certain she will unless the rest of
the nations become so strong that Russia will not
dare to attack. So we think it's best to be ready. The
sacrifices we must make in getting prepared are hard but not near as bad as the
terrific loss of life which would follow if we are
attacked and we are not ready. The Korean affair has shown us this. Our men
were untrained and unequipped, hence the terrific loss of life which has
followed. Now that we have got equipment to them and they have gained
experience, they were able to handle the situation with little loss and are now
fitted against masses of untrained Reds. That's the way we like it, and I think
the way it is going to be from this time forward. We know that the Western
nations can outstrip the Reds by miles if we all get down to the business of
preparing. The US alone can go a way out in front of
the Russians and with the aid of England and France and the other Western
nations they don't have a chance to match the combination.
Our country is in good
condition. Employment is high and manpower is gradually getting easier. There
is plenty of food and we're going to produce more than ever before.
Canada also is in a similar
condition. Things are moving along nicely there and
that country will play an important part in the job of producing defence
products.
We are only about 50 miles
from the atomic proving grounds and we saw and heard
many of the explosions which took place a few weeks ago in this state. It was a
marvellous sight even at this distance. I have never seen anything so
brilliant.
We are hoping to go to
Canada this summer, but we are not sure yet. We shall have to get a new car as
ours is worn out and couldn't make such a trip now.
Let us hear from you as
often as possible as we are always very pleased to get your letters. They are
always very interesting.
With our best wishes.
Sincerely
James Farndale.
1954
Jim and his son Jimmy visited Yorkshire in 1954. This was the first
time Jim had been back to UK since the end of the First World War. This was a memorable visit
which meant so much to him. He went again to Tidkinhow
and to stay with those members of the family who had remained in England.
James and son Jim just
before leaving for UK in April 1954
Jim and daughter Janie and
others at Tidkinhow.
At Tidkinhow in 1954 – James with his brother John
At the ‘Club’ in Skelton
during Jim’s visit to Yorkshire in 1954 (Alfred, John
and James at table, with Jim (son of James) behind.
1955
In 1955, Jim again visited Canada, with his two daughters, Janie
and Mary.
In September 1955, Jim’s
daughter Doris was killed in a car accident at the age of twenty. Jim took this
very hard indeed and never really recovered from it.
CLEVELANDER
BECAME US STATE SENATOR. Farndale, son of the late Mr and Mrs Martin Farndale,
of Tidkinhow Farm, Saltburn, has recently visited this country after 43 years
in Canada and the USA. He went to Canada in 1911 and afterwards to the United
States. He served with the American forces in the First World War and later
interested himself in municipal and domestic affairs, particularly Social
Security for old age pensioners. Elected to the Nevada state assembly for two
successive terms he entered the state Senate, in which he served for four
years. Although much of his time was occupied as a state politician, he
retained his interest in farming. He married miss Edna E Adams, daughter of an
American farmer, and the couple have five children. Mr Farndale is now manager
of a Housing Authority on a housing project. He flew back to Las Vegas, Nevada,
yesterday, accompanied by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr
and Mrs John Rydell, recently back from a military mission to Greece.
The
Reno Gazette
Journal, 19 December 1955: New recreation facilities are in the offing in this city
today as the Clark County Housing Authority indicated it would approve use of
an unused dormitory in Victory Village for that purpose. James Farndale,
director of the Housing Authority, met yesterday with Herman Muehleisen, head of the public works department of
this city and Dr Earl Gould, recreation director, to discuss plans which will
permit the city to convert the building for all types of recreation. Farndale
told Muehleisen that the proposal will have to be approved by the entire board
of the Housing Authority and expressed his opinion that the request would be
granted....
1957
The
Nevada State
Journal, 4 March 1957. LABOUR GROUP SPONSORS ACT FOR BENEFITS. CARSON CITY.
Amendments to the industrial Insurance Act providing for increased benefits and
establishing a medical appeal board were introduced in the Senate today by that
body's committee on labour. The committee, at the same time, announced it was
shelving a bill introduced earlier in the session by senators James Farndale
(D) Clark and Charles Russell (R) White Pine, which would have written the
present law. Farndale and Russell are members of the labour committee. “The
amendments introduced today preserve all of the benefits provided in Senate
bill 28 and additionally provide for the medical appeal board, and a higher
funeral benefit” Farndale explained...
1958
In 1958 Jim’s brother Alf
and his wife Peggy visited Jim in USA (From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from
Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
Jim was still active with the Carpenter’s Union, Housing Authority
and Veterans.
A member of the Governor’s Labour Council. (From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas
in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell)
In September 1958, his
younger brother, Alfred and his wife, Peggy called to see him at Las Vegas while on a visit to Canada. At
this time, Jim was still active with the Carpenter's Union, the Housing Authority and the Veterans. He was at this time a member of
the Labour Council.
1960
The Asheville Citizen Times,
17 September 1960 … Las Vegas. At a marriage in Las Vegas, The Rev Richard
L Ewing officiated at the ceremony and Mrs James Farndale was organist …
1961
In 1961, Jim again visited Canada for what was to be the last time (From notes taken by Martin
Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
1965
Jim wrote to his brother Alfred and Peggy on 14 December
1965:
922 South 2nd
Street
Las Vegas, Nev
Dec 14, 1965
Dear Alf and Peggy
I know you will be wondering
how we are so here are a few words. I am quite a bit improved over last year
when I spent Christmas in a hospital. I am able to get
up everyday and get outside when the weather is good.
I can't do very much and have had to give up driving the car which is a
handicap.
Edna is not well either but
manages to keep house. She doesn't drive the car.
Our younger folks are all
well how old doing well. Janie and John were here in August and Jimmy, Jean and
Ingram were here for a few days in November. We hope Mary will be here for
Christmas.
How are you both and how are
the rest of the family? I understand Martin is in the Near East. I haven't his address but I hope to hear from him. I hope he is alright.
Best wishes and love to all.
Jim and Edna.
1967
By 1867, his health was
deteriorating badly. On 20 January 1967,
Jim Farndale died at home, at 922 San Casino, Central Boulevard, Las Vegas. He is buried at
Mountain View Gardens of Memory, Las Vegas. The funeral service was led by the
Reverend Douglas Harrell of the First Methodist Church on 23 January 1967 at
Bunker Brothers Chapel at 1pm (From notes taken by Martin Farndale in Texas in July 1979 from
Edna Farndale and Janie Rydell).
By his own efforts Jim
achieved much. He pioneered in Canada and America, got himself qualified
through university, fought for his country and rose
through the Nevada State Assembly to the Senate. He was always dogged by his
ill health, but his courage and ability kept him going.
Las Vegas
Review Journal Sunday 26 January 1967: Southern
Nevada loses devoted public servants. This was a
sad week for old time southern Nevadans. Two Men who left rich
legacies of public service in widely differing fields were buried. Both
were born in England. Both built a home, family and gave almost half a century
of service to southern Nevada. Their loss will be felt. Jim Farndale took
care of the people who were poor, needed a job and a place to live they could
afford. A life of service with labor, the
poor, veterans and the homeless called to Jim Farndale. During the 1930s
when Boulder Dam brought a surge of craftsmen to southern Nevada, Farndale
helped hammer out a strong carpenters union. As a business
agent, he became a guiding force in the Central Labor Council and
Building and Trades Council. Farndale went to the Nevada Assembly twice
and then was elected to the state senate. His name was engraved on the enabling
legislation that created the federal housing authorities for Clark County and
Las Vegas. Farndale later became executive director of the Clark County
Federal Housing Authority which operated units in the city. These homes for
the struggling poor of Henderson will serve as appropriate monuments to his
life. He was a leader of veterans organisations,
and above all held a reputation of being dependable and absolutely
trustworthy. Another page has turned and those who guided the middle years
in the growth of this community are beginning to leave us.
Extract from the Las Vegas
Review Journal 26 January 1967: He left five children, Jim who lived
in Dallas, Texas, Jane who lived in Austin, Texas, Gordon and Mary who lived in
California, and Doris who was tragically killed in a car crash. He fought with
the American Army in France in World War I, and visited England several times
before he died in 1967.
Sunday
22 January 1967. James Farndale Rites
Scheduled for tomorrow.
Funeral for James Farndale is set for tomorrow, 1pm at Bunker Brothers Chapel
with the Reverend Douglas Harrell, of the First Methodist Church, officiating.
Farndale, a 38 year resident of Southern Nevada, died
Friday in his home at 922 South Casino Center
Boulevard. He was 81. Well known in legislative, labor
and veterans circles, Farndale was instrumental in
helping to establish many of their standard practices today. He is survived
by his wife, Edna, two sons, James and Gordon, and two daughters, Mrs John
Rydell and Mrs Sam Mentzer, all residing out of state;
two brothers Alfred and John Farndale, and three sisters, Mrs Dorothy Ross, Mrs
Mary Brown and Mrs Grace Holmes all residing in England and Canada. Farndale
was a business agent for Carpenters Local 1780 in Las Vegas during the 1930s
and later rose to prominence as a member of the Central Labor Council, the
Building Trades Council and the Governor's Board of
Labor Relations. He was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1936 and again
in 1940. Farndale was also a member of the state senate from 1942 to
1946. In addition to these functions, Farndale was executive director of
the Federal Housing Authority here and served on the Clark County
Housing Authority as well. He was a life member, past commander and past
department commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the American
Legion, Veterans of World War One, Disabled Veterans and the First Methodist
Church. Farndale was born in Yorkshire, England. He will be buried in Mount
View Gardens of Memory
Las Vegas
Review Journal Sunday 22 January 1967: Farndale Services Set
Monday. Former state senator
James Farndale, 81, will be buried Monday in Mount View Gardens of Memory
cemetery. Reverend Douglass Harrell of the First Methodist Church will conduct
1pm services in Bunker Brothers Chapel. Mr Farndale died Friday in his home at
922 S Casino Blvd. He served two terms in the Nevada Assembly (1936-38 and
1940-42) and one term in the state Senate (1942-1946). He was also once the
executive director of the Clark County Housing Authority. A carpenter from
Yorkshire, Farndale represented Carpenters Local 1780 on the Central
Labor Council, the governor's Labor Relations Board and the Building and Trades
Council. He was a veteran of World War One. He is survived by his wife,
Edna, two sons, James of Dallas, Texas, and Gordon of Canoga Park, California;
two daughters, Mrs John E Rydell of Athens, Texas, and Mrs Sam Mentzer of
Glendale, California, two brothers Alfred and John both in England; and three
sisters, Mrs Dorothy Ross, Mrs Mary Brown and Mrs Grace Holmes, all in England
Senate
Concurrent Resolution No 9 - Senators Brown, Alleman, Bunker, Christensea, Gibson, Hecht, Herr and Lamb, File Number 23: Senate Concurrent Resolution - Memorialising the late Senator James
Farndale. Whereas, The
members of the 54th session of legislature of the State of Nevada have learned
with deep regret and sorrow of the death of former Senator James Farndale on
January 20, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Whereas Senator Farndale, born in
Yorkshire, England, migrated to the United States of America to become a
most respected resident of Southern Nevada, for 28 years; and Whereas James
Farndale distinguished himself in federal, state and local government
service, as executive director of the Federal Housing Authority in Clark
County, as assemblyman from Clark County in 1937 and 1941 regular
sessions, as senator from Clark County in the 1943 and 1945 regular sessions,
as a member of the Governor's Board of Labor Relations, and as a member of the
Clark County Housing Authority; and Whereas, He achieved prominence for his
contributions in the development of organised labor
in this state while a member of the Central Labor Council and the Buildings
Trades Council in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Whereas as the late Senator James
Farndale was loyal and dedicated to his country, he was a life member,
past commander and past department commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
and a member of the American Legion, Veterans of World War One, and
Disabled American Veterans; and Whereas James Farndale was a man of
integrity, ability and courage always following the strength of his
convictions, whose presence will be deeply missed in our state; now, therefore,
be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly concurring,
That the members of the 54th session of legislature of the State of Nevada
hereby express their condolences to the family and surviving relatives of the
late Senator James Farndale; and be it further Resolved, that copies of this
resolution be prepared and transmitted forthwith by the legislative counsel to
the widow and surviving children of the deceased, Mrs Edna Farndale, Mrs John
Rydell, Mrs Sam Mentzer, Mr Gordon Farndale and Mr James Farndale.
1967,
Nevada Southern University, Las Vegas, 1 February 1967,
Library. Dear Mrs Farndale. The library
at Nevada Southern University has received funds for the purchase of a
Volume in memory of your husband. We have added a volume in the Far West
and Rockies Series to our Western America collection. This volume bears a
special memorial plate for Mr Farndale. Our Western Collection is
heavily used by our students faculty. We at Nevada
Southern University feel truly honoured in being selected as part of the
memorial to Mr Farndale. Mrs James Farndale, 92250 Casino Center
Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alan Bikle, United States Senate, Washington. Dear Mrs Farndale. Mrs Bikle and I were saddened to learn of the recent death of your husband. While there is little one can say or do to ease your loss at this time, we do want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As you know, Jim was a dear, loyal and devoted friend of ours. Sincerely. Alan Bikle
United States Senate, Washington. Dear Mrs Farndale. Please accept heartfelt condolences on the death of your husband. He was indeed a man of his times who participated in the problems of his day, and committed himself to a set of principles and a course of action. He left a record of significant accomplishments and long lasting influences on the institutions and programmes with which he was associated. I do hope that the sorrow over your loss will be eased by his good and rich life. Mrs Cannon joins me in the expression of sincere sympathy to you and your family. Howard Cannon
Jim's family were the first of a new generation of Farndales in USA. His son, Jim, had no
family, but his son Gordon had a son, Mark and a daughter, Linda.
James and Edna
Austin,
Texas
1979
Jim’s wife, Edna, died at Austin, Texas, where she
was in a home near her daughter, Janie, in 1979.
1984
Jody, Janie, Gordon, Alberta and Christina at
Gordon’s house at Garden Grove, California USA in June 1984
Narrative
of Jim’s Life
James was the first member of the family to be
born at Tidkinhow. He was born on 22 December 1885, the sixth child and the
fourth son of Martin and Catherine Farndale. As with his siblings, he started
school, aged 5, with his brothers and sisters and, at age 11, he went to
Boosbeck, but unlike the rest except Kate, he on to Guisborough County School.
On leaving school, he worked for a local farmer called Petch for a while, was a
miner for a while and helped his father at Tidkinhowe. He was always keen on learning
and in his early days he was always studying and reading. He, like his
siblings, would listen to all the talk about Canada and he would have seen that
there was little hope for him at home.
Accordingly on 31 March 1913, Jim (as he was
always called) sailed for Canada, aged 28 and joined his brothers Martin and
George and his sister Kate. He spent two years in Canada and kept a diary of
his journey out and of his first year.
However, he always wanted to improve his
education and there wasn't much chance in those early days in Canada. So he
decided to go on to USA. He 1915, he managed to get into Duluth High School
from where he got himself a place at Valpraiso University in Indiana. It was on
20 January 1917 at the university that he met Edna Adams whom he married on 25
September 1917. When the USA declared war on Germany in 1917, he joined the
American Army and went to France. Very little is known of his military service
except that he caught a very bad dose of influenza from which he never did
fully recover. However at the end of the war, he did manage to visit Tidkinhowe
again.
In 1918, he was posted to San Antonio where he
left the army. He and Edna went to live at Plymouth, Indiana, but by then he
had developed lung trouble. He began to make a living at carpentry. In 1919, he
moved to the west coat to try to get to a better climate and to be near Edna's
parents. Jim built them a house at Los Angeles and then he built one for
himself. At this time, Jim was working in an architect's office and at the same
time, he was attending the University of California in Los Angeles. He did this
until 1929 when his health began to give him serious trouble and the doctors
said he must live in a really dry climate.
Their first child, Hazel Jane, was born in Los
Angeles on September 1922 and their second, James, on December 1923. Mary was
born in 1926.
The family moved to a ranch in the desert at Las
Vegas in 1929. Life became a hard struggle for Jim and he did the best he could
as a 'finish carpenter'. In 1930, they moved into Las Vegas and built a house.
In 1931, the family drove by car to visit the family in Alberta, Canada, where
Jim's youngest brother and sister, Alfred and Grace, had by then joined Martin,
George and Kate. It was remembered as quite a reunion
In 1932, their fourth child, Gordon, was born.
Although still a finish carpenter, Jim had become Business Agent for the
Carpenter's Union. It was in this year that he first became involved in the
Boulder Dam project. In 1935 their fifth child and second daughter, Doris, was
born. Jim was now proving himself to be an efficient administrator through his
work with the Carpenter's Union and the Boulder Dam Project. He developed a
reputation for reliability and honesty. Accordingly, in 1936, he was elected to
the Nevada State Assembly. This now gave him a very full life where at last he
could exercise his ability and knowledge, even though he was still troubled by
ill health. After a four year period, he was re-elected for a second term, in
1940; a great honour and he was by then a recognised leader of Nevada State. In
1942, he was elected to serve in the Nevada State Senate and was to complete a
four year term, until 1946. He did much work on housing projects in the State
and never forgot the World War One veterans.
In 1951, he and his daughter, Hazel Jane (always
known as Janie) visited Canada again. By this time, his younger brother, Alfred
had returned to England. Then in 1954 and for the first time, since the end of
the First World War, he visited England. This was a memorable visit which meant
so much to him. He went again to Tidkinhowe and to stay with those members of
the family who had remained in England. In 1955, he again visited Canada, with
his two daughters, Janie and Mary.
But tragedy struck in September 1955 when his
daughter, Doris, was killed in a motor accident at the age of twenty. Jim took
this very hard indeed and never really recovered from it.
In September 1958, his younger brother, Alfred
and his wife, Peggy called to see him at Las Vegas while on a visit to Canada.
At this time, Jim was still active with the Carpenter's Union, the Housing
Authority and the Veterans. He was at this time a member of the Labour Council.
In 1961, Jim again visited Canada for what was to
be the last time. His health by then was deteriorating badly. Jim died at his
home, 922 San Casino Centre Boulevard, Las Vegas on 20 January 1967, aged 81.
He is buried at Mount View Gardens of Memory, Las Vegas. The funeral was on 23
January and was taken by the Reverend Douglass Harrell of the First Methodist
Church at Bunker Brothers Chapel at 1pm.
By his own efforts Jim achieved much. He
pioneered in Canada and America, got himself qualified through university,
fought for his country and rose through the Nevada State Assembly to the
Senate. He was always dogged by his ill health, but his courage and ability
kept him going.
His wife, Edna, died at Austin, Texas, where she
was in a home near her daughter, Janie, in 1980.
Jim's family were the first of a new generation
of Farndales. His son, Jim, had no family, but his son Gordon had a son, Mark
and a daughter, Linda.