A series where we take a #lookback at the stories and history of our community, brought to you by Mick Pryor, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.
Joseph Granville Faris was a very long time resident of the Lander Valley, a rancher, prospector, and well known figure colloquially called ‘Uncle Joe’. An early arrival, he was a prominent figure.
Joe was born May 18,1842 in Louisville, Kentucky. A fascinating aspect of Joe’s family was that his grandfather, General Joe Sharp was a law partner of Abraham Lincoln. Joe served in the Civil War, even under General Sherman, before coming out West to assist the army in 1868. He eventually settled in South Pass to try his hand at prospecting, and shortly thereafter began homesteading in the valley near the Little Popo Agie in 1869. One of the first to grow food for the army (mostly potatoes that first year), he like many others ran into incidents with indigenous groups that were nearby; he was one of the first to attempt a mail run from the valley up to South Pass and was attacked, his mail taken. He did not seem to attempt mail runs after that.
He married Mary Anabelle “Belle” Sharp in 1877 and they had seven children, with one daughter passing in infancy. He and Belle divorced in 1895, though she did stay in the area and remarry. Several sons followed in his ranching footsteps, with George and Archie becoming prominent ranchers and at one time owning the former Red Canyon road ranch started by ‘Boss’ William Tweed.
Joe spent a good portion of his time prospecting, uncovering various minerals and other substances, such as oil in Red Canyon, asbestos at the head of the Sweetwater River, even tungsten and copper when out on one venture with his son Everett near Fremont Peak.
He moved into Hudson after that town was established, owning several lots and building various houses, his daughter Laura and her husband Ernest McLaughlin joining him after a time. He remained active in prospecting for the majority of his life, and could be out for weeks at a time.
He did have one son, Ernest, who got into trouble in 1910 for stealing horses in Idaho and wound up in the penitentiary there, but after serving time and returning to Wyoming went on to serve in WWI. He tragically died of pneumonia while in France, and was brought home and laid to rest in Hudson.
Joe retired to the Soldier’s Home in Buffalo in 1928, though he kept up with friends in Lander and Hudson. His former wife Belle, who had been living in California with their daughters and son Everett, passed away in May of 1929 and Joe passed away not long after in July. He was interred at Hudson after a Masonic funeral, having been a member since he first came to South Pass. A well respected member of the community, he was mourned by many and reminiscences of his doings were written of often over the years in the local papers.
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
August 22, 10am with the Pioneer Museum, “Ed Young Apple Orchard Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
August 22, 10am with the Riverton Museum, “St. Stevens Mission Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 3, 6pm at the Dubois Museum, “Archaeology & Modern Technology w/ Dr. Dalyn Grindle, PhD” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
September 5, 9am with the Riverton Museum, “J.B. Okie Manor Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 12, with the Riverton Museum, “Castle Gardens Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 14 & 17, 8am with the Dubois Museum, “Miller’s Wonderful Wyoming Honey Ranch Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 19, 1pm, at the Pioneer Museum, “Apple Fest”
Daily through December at the Pioneer Museum, “Sweetwater Ranch Life, The Paintings of Jack Corbett” Exhibition Opening
Rare Relics Road Show: Save the Date: Saturday October 10, 2026 Lander, WY Lander Community Center, You Are Invited! Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution through the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation https://windriverccf.funraise.org/ or by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.