Percival Farquhar

Percival Farquhar (1865–1953) was an American investor and financier with extensive interests in Latin America and pre-Soviet Russia, including railways, mines, hotels, and restaurants. Early life Farquhar was born to a wealthy Maryland-Pennsylvania Quaker family at York, Pennsylvania in 1865. His father was Arthur B. Farquhar (1838–1925), founder of a large agricultural equipment works at York, which was called the Pennsylvania Agricultural Works (1856–1889) and later the A.B. Farquhar Company (1889–1951). His mother was Elizabeth N. (née Jessop) Farquhar (1837–1918). His grandfather was William Henry Farquhar. Percival attended the York Collegiate Institute, spent two years working in his father's office, and then attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, where he studied science and engineering. Career as a lawyer, legislator, investor, and financier After Yale he studied law, entered politics, and was elected to the New York State Legislature. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in the 114th (1891), 115th (1892) (both New York Co., 3rd D.), and 116th (1893) (New York Co., 11th D.) sessions.