Many know the story of A.D. Farrow’s founding, known well in the motorcycling community as it is the oldest Harley dealership in America. We all remember the hard work and path-laying that A.D. Farrow committed to at a time when motorcycles and even automobiles were not yet popularized.
However, that is not the story we are here to tell today. Today, we talk about Lillian Farrow, known as Lilly to us. During the war, Lilly ran the dealership as her own, refusing to let her husband’s absence affect business. She ran the books, helped with sales, and remained a large influence in the community during these tough years. Upon his return after the war, they shared just a few more short years together before his untimely death in 1924.
Left with no husband and the children to take care of, Lilly’s resilience still did not waiver. She continued to help the dealership business flourish, and became an even larger advocate for motorcyclists, motorcycle races, and competitions. She committed her life to the dealership, and her passion had lasting effects on the dealership’s success in these crucial times.
It is her blood, sweat, and sometimes even tears that run through the walls of this dealership today, 100 years later. Without Lilly’s resilience and passion for riding, we would no longer be able to serve the Harley riders of the Columbus area.
So today, as we commit to being THE HOME for women riders everywhere, we also commit to telling their stories through this blog. The stories of women like Lilly, who are resilient, daring, and unparalleled.
A.D. Farrow 