By Victoria Kerns

We all dread it, those fateful moments in life when we are thrown together with a total stranger to accomplish some assigned task. It happens during seminars, at meetings, at work, and even at parties. We all do our best to be good sports, but if you're like me, at this point you're looking for the door! Wondering who talked you into coming in the first place, and wondering how you can escape the situation. When you can't graciously make an excuse and exit, you smile politely and attempt to approach your new partner. All the while hoping that the individual is someone you find yourself remotely at ease working with and that you share enough in common to accomplish your task. This happened to me a few weeks ago when I was given the assignment to write an article about Ogden's first Mayor for this publication. There I was, thrown together with his legacy, fearful that he and I would not have much in common. The task assigned was to come up with an article that would be of interest to the community. Fortunately, a community that I believe, we both love, and that is what we share in common. It was my thought that everything there was to say about our first mayor, Lorin Farr, has been said, and wondered what there could be about him that would endear me to this Mormon Pioneer Mayor to bring him to life to you in a way that would be new and interesting. Then it hit me, I needed to do just that, bring him to life. As I began to learn the facts of this man's life I began to see into what I believe to be the heart and soul of a man that I would not otherwise had the opportunity to know in such an intimate and personal way and this brought ease to me, in working with him. Let me present to you the heart and soul of our first Mayor, the Honorable Lorin Farr. Honorable, not just as a formal title for the mayor, but honorable as in worthy of honoring. In his 89 years of life this man accomplished many of the feats we read about in our history textbooks about the more, well known leaders of times past. If one were to consider the notion of destiny, Lorin Farr would be someone the people of Ogden might want to consider as a man whose destiny, among other things, was to be our first mayor. A man groomed throughout his life to fulfill the unique duty as an active leader in the establishment of our little city. Establishing not only it's beginning but establishing a sense of community and vision that would last beyond his lifetime. His destiny as a leader is twofold, political and spiritual, separate yet intertwined. One cannot discuss Utah or her history apart from the (oppressed) Mormon experience, which was at the heart of what brought vast settlement to her borders. The individuals that came and began life in this area had the unique qualities that were needed, not only to pioneer a desert wilderness, but also pioneer as they pursued their religious convictions within a hostile society. Lorin Farr possessed those qualities perhaps above and beyond many of his constitute, and in such a magnitude and depth that he was selected to the position of the first mayor of Ogden, the second city, of the Utah Territory. In Vermont, 1820 Lorin was born into a resourceful family that enjoyed a simple lifestyle. Simple, according to today's standards perhaps, yet complex, and the price of such a lifestyle was at the expense of hard work, long hours and the need to develop skills and knowledge to survive. The need to develop relationships was equally valuable so life would be more meaningful than mere survival. Adapting to their natural surrounds and keeping expenses at a minimum the Farrs' utilized the resources readily available. The family's saw mill was perhaps their most valuable resource. They also prepared the leather they used to make their shoes, and ground their own corn and wheat. They spun and dyed their own wool, and even made straw (and felt) hats. Together with others in their community they shared in the processes of making soap and pottery and shared fellowship, making the best of an era that required much physical and emotional strength. Lorin was an apprentice to his father who possessed many versatile skills as well as being civically active, thus being exposed to a variety of experiences. There was a time when Lorin's mother was ill, bedridden. It was at this time in 1832 the Farr's lives were changed, forever altered by the visit of two Mormon Missionaries that prayed for Lorin's ailing mother, who, believing she had been healed, got out of bed, gave thanks, and was baptized and joined the church the following day, along with her husband and 2 sons. Within 5 years the family decided to join fellow believers at Kirkland, Ohio. Lorin's father was prominent in their community and was urged by friends to stay. If the idea of their being oppossers to Mormonism hadn't come to Lorin's attention before, it did as they prepared to leave Vermont. Lorin was exposed to the opposing opinions of long time friends that the Mormon's were deluded and the family ought to reconsider its decision to move. The journeys that the Farr's were to make would further help to shape and prepare Lorin for his position as mayor and church leader. Like his father, Lorin quickly grew into a prominent citizen and activist. During their brief stays at Kirkland, Illinois, and Far West, Missouri, the Farr's pitched in to the work of building their new communities. Lorin's spiritual aspirations grew too, even among the negative attitudes of people outside of the church. At Far West Lorin became a confidant of the Prophet Joseph Smith, providing him protection and serving faithfully as a messenger. Lorin was quick to learn from the examples of others and implemented their practices in his own activities. Like Smith, who sought knowledge in many spheres, Lorin throughout his life would do likewise. Seeking to be knowledgeable about the issues that required his attention, he would read, study, and prepare himself for the decisions he would make according to the positions he held. Lorin's exposure to hostile anti-Mormon sentiment grew considerably from his family's experience when leaving Vermont, this sentiment would one day cut deeply into his heart, if it hadn't many times already. The "Saints" were ordered to leave Missouri (or face extermination) making their time at Far West short-lived. A new home was found in Nauvoo, (IL) or rather Nauvoo became home as they and others built this city. Creating streets, preparing water supplies, forging drainage systems, planting crops, building buildings, and tending to civic affairs all encompassed that process. Through these experiences Lorin learned the skills of a leader, including the value of cooperation. He grew in the knowledge of law and the functions of city council. As he learned he began offering suggestions. No longer an inexperienced young man, but now a man of strength, thought and ability. Before marrying his first wife Nancy, Lorin functioned as a schoolteacher and further gained the confidence of his community, and he served as a missionary in the East. The Mormons enjoyed a longer stay at Nauvoo; however, this tenacious lot was destined to make a permanent home to the West. Unlike other oppressed groups of America's history the Mormon's plight to exercise their constitutional right of religious freedom has been somewhat minimized. As other oppressed groups have described, the Mormons too describe being burned out of their homes/buildings, being jailed, beaten, shot, verbally abused, otherwise harassed, threatened and frightened for their lives, having at times to hide and scatter just to survive. They have lost the lives of leaders and suffered public ridicule. As a group they don't seem to hold blame or resentment, perhaps regret, though no doubt covered by understanding, in faith, that things happen for a purpose, and they have endured and prospered as a happy people in what has been called the "Happy Valley." The development of the Utah territory could have happened a variety of ways. Mormon pioneers weren't the first people here. There were natives to this area, and then trappers came and even a few monks came, stayed briefly and moved on. It was a while before the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers. Had there been any other intended route for the territory to take we would not be living in what is now called Ogden, Utah. There were a number of persons who could have been our first mayor, natives, trappers or even another Mormon. There were several qualified candidates, however, none perhaps that could have brought the pieces of the puzzle together to so uniquely define who and what Ogden was (and is) to become. It has been suggested that Lorin's function as mayor was to simply carry out Brigham Young's orders and vision. Lorin, I believe, was capable of much more than just doing what he was told. It was rare that Lorin called upon Young, as the governor of the territory to help with any matter. One of only a couple of instances when Lorin needed help was when one of his townspeople shot an Indian Chief. A matter that Lorin had basically resolved by the time Brigham Young got the message and organized the militia to come to Ogden. The unique vision, ambition, drive and desire that Lorin Farr possessed laid the foundation for the city we are today. Lorin loved liberty, freedom and the church. He sought no honor, was never paid to be mayor. He was a leader, because he knew how to follow. He managed his time brilliantly, able to manage businesses of his own, multiple households of his own, and oversee the growth and development of the city he made his own. When needed, he made adjustments and was able to prioritize. His vision was not limited or constricted to a few enterprises but was far reaching. What he didn't know, he learned. Reading about the railroad, communication systems, soil, travel, corporations, and conservation. Mayor Farr would, I think, be excited to walk the streets of Ogden today and perhaps, in some cases, be grateful that his stint as mayor is long over. As I have walked around the city the past few weeks reflecting on Lorin's vision for the city, his desire for progress, and his vision to see people come here, I have felt a peculiar sense of pride and enthusiasm that I think he has inspired. I would love to take him on a tour of our city today and show him the things that I/we love that possess his original vision for our city. I think he would love the joy that families share as they visit Dinosaur Park and the learning that is encouraged and inspired there. The use of the river parkway by families and individuals as they strengthen their bodies and their relationships would delight him. The number of schools, the variety and diversity of community they service would, no doubt, bring a tear to the eye to a man who himself once taught in small one-room school houses. Public health and safety was a focus of his administration, to see the new facilities that house our public servants and to know that there is much available medical care and updated facilities to provide health services would have to be impressive to him. Bringing the Light Rail to Ogden I think would excite him probably above almost anything else that has changed, as he loved the railroad and longed for people to travel as he longed to travel. To know that the rail system he sought and labored to bring to us has survived, evolved and transformed would thrill him. Communication was of importance to Lorin; he encouraged bringing the telegraph through our area, something that was accomplished while he was mayor. How awe struck he would be to be acquainted with the capabilities of the Internet alone, not to mention all the other communications mediums that Ogden, and the world utilize today. Another love of his was entertainment and Ogden is not hard pressed to offer that, rather more hard pressed to find sufficient audiences to fill the halls that house the outstanding quality of performances that grace our city. As most young men, Lorin too enjoyed sports. He played ball, wrestled, practiced shooting and riding. I think I'd like to buy him a root beer at Lindquist Field and enjoy a Raptors game with him. Having been an Ogden merchant and interested in conservation I think he would be excited about our Historic 25th Street. The number and variety of places to worship in Ogden I would hope would be an encouragement to the late mayor. The list could go on. I've failed to mention many of Ogden's variety of services, businesses, parks, developments, traditions, and plans. As a former mayor Lorin would probably be very interested in the problems and struggles that Ogden faces and would continue to hope for answers that best fit the needs of the community. The ultimate experience that I would like to share with Mayor Farr would be, to be the one to tell him that the 2002 Winter Olympic Games have come here (can you believe it?)! What greater compliment could we offer him in recognition of the life he, and those who have followed him, has brought to a place and people that virtually no one wanted, once upon a time. There are many differing views of what it means to have the Olympics here. From the Farr perspective, I think it serves as a confirmation of the direction we're headed as a city and a people. In the memory of, and in the spirit of, the Honorable Lorin Farr we welcome our visitors to Ogden, a progressive city of vision, with a sense of loving community, and with global aspirations! The marquee above the Egyptian Theater has read, Think Globally, Applaud Locally. Ogden, we applaud you, Olympic competitors and supporters, we applaud you, and Lorin Farr, we applaud you. Welcome world, welcome home!