He was educated in the public schools, and after finishing high school joined the office of Edgar W. Wells, architect for Klieves, Kraft & Company, as a student.

[1] He later worked for architects in Chicago and New York City before returning to Wheeling in 1892.

Faris then worked in private practice until his death sixteen years later.

Other notable buildings include the Wheeling Electric Company, the First National Bank of West Virginia, the Wheeling Intelligencer, the former public library, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and numerous schools including the Triadelphia Junior High School and Madison School.

[7][8] Faris served one term in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1913.