Born in Littleton, New Hampshire, Farr attended the common schools and Dartmouth College.

[1] During the Civil War, he entered the Union Army as First Lieutenant of Company G, 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment, and served as Major in the Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.

Farr unfortunately lost his right arm in the Battle of Williamsburg, but returned to service two months later.

Following the war, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1867 and commenced practice in Littleton, New Hampshire.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress