The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-04
For the Union.
rnIRrTE To THE 1dEMoRY on ROBERT FARNHAM

eight years, Mr.. Robert Farnham of Washington,
d c. came to a sudden and untimely death at the
stanton station, near McCrungton, Delaware, ON
the Philadelphia, McCrunigton, and Baltimore rail
road being struck by passing train while stopping
there on his way with three ofhschildren to seek
mer retreat the sea-shore of New Jersey.
Mr. Farnham was OF the Oldest and most esteemed
citizens OF Washington in the branch of business 10 which
his life devoted In boyhood he apprenced TO
the printing business in Boston, Massachusetts, and
reared to the book trade chiefly under the Of
The well known firm Of Lincoln h Edmonds. Mr.. Lin
coin was a Of thorough business habits esteem
ed universally for his sound judgment and mwaver-
ing integrity and at day when such accomplish
ments secured election to official station he
cupied places of high trust in his native city and
State More than all, he a of devoted and
dent pety and almost every Sabbath lay preacher,
he was engaged in the suburbs of the city supplying the
pulpit of some feeble and destitute church Mr.. Ed
nonds in whose family young Farnham resided, was
man of heightened of honor of unspoted moral
excellence and worthy the character Of Christian
than many who made public profession of religion.
Reared amid such Influences would have been strange
ii youth peculiarly sensitive spirit and quiet thought
fulness as well of honorable ambition should not
receive and carry through life the impress OF the business
habits and the moral character if not Of the religious
victons Of his employers OF this influence he fond
Of speaking ; and IL genuine reverence which he
felt for his old guardians.
In early manhood Mr. Farnham came to Washington.
Beginning as of true ambition wishes to, with the
rudmcnts Of his profession, he was In the course of
very years master in it. BY his industry and pune
tuality and most of all by conscientious adherence
the rule Of fair and moderate profits he secured pri
yate patronage in the book trade and government
tracts the supply of stationery, which gave him
reputation and put him the road to large fortune On
the ED November 1885, he united in marriage to
Miss Jane Blanchard Out of ten children the fruit of
this union, five only survive their father.
Mr. Farnham was than merely just in his bust
ness he in the highest generous and benev
oent Having himself struggled to rise at the
mencement Of his business life, he deeply sympathized
with deserving young men similarly situated He had
his eye young of merit he watched their
he anticipated their time of trial and need and not
waiting for an application he preferred to them The
Of his means and of his name. Many man in Wash
ngton occupying independent and high position
in his business his present prosperity to the fact
that lust in the crisis Of his he kindly and qu
city aided by Mr. Farnham.
In yet higher department of moral excellence Mr..
Farnham was marked man lie was peculiarly con-
scentous man. There is wider sphere of influence
upon the moral character Of community than that of
bookseller The Christian pastor speaks to congre
CATION the book-dealer TO city. Mr. Farnham felt
sacred obligation to foster the spirit of morality and truth
in the young and for profits sake he would not pander
to corrupt moral taste in his supply of reading for the
people The educational and religious interests Of the
CITY of Washington than personal fortune to
him in his selection of books for his store.
In his religious character Mr. Farham understood
only by few intimate friends The early religious i'm
pressons received from his parents and his employers
were lost He thorough believer in the religion Of
Christ and possessed by liberal spirit, he in the
habit of attending religious worship with churches of
various denominations. His own early opinions and
preferences allied him the Baptist denomination but
he chose ordinarily to attend the Episcopal church, of
which his wife was member. After the death of fa
vorite daughter, months before his own sudden
DEATH he expressed to few intimate friends his entire
change of religious views and feelings far his per-
sonal faith and hope concerned He became, as
they believe truly converted His difficulty in
reference to his early and seated views of the Christian
delayeda union with the Episcopal church
On Monday morning. July TO- he left home in ordinary
health and with cheerful spirits for trip with
three Of his elder children The train stopped at Staunton
few miles south of Wilmington, Delaware to await the
passing of the train from Philadelphia Mr. Farnham
entered the station house, conversed few moments
checrfy with some friends and stepped out upon the
track on which the approaching train to pass The
train came up with its usual speed and though looking
Immediately towards It, and warned by the engineer
WHISTLE he seemed lost in OF those fits of abstraction
to which in later years he subject when specially alb
sorbcd in thoughts of his business When near to him
the engineer attempted to check his train friend of
Mr. Farnham Rev. DR.. Tustin, of Washington, called to
him aloud but before he could be reused to Of
his danger he struck by the engine and hurled life
less from the track His children at his side
his daughter raised his head placed it in her lap and
bathed his brow endeavong vainly to restore life and
consciousness. His body placed in the passenger
car and carried on Wilmington there to await the
turning train.
On examination it was found that not bone
broken, and that pcrceptibe mark of violence
his body except blow the temples. 1t was
comfort peculiarly soothing to his agonized family to
know that his kind Heavenly Father took him from earth
without a moments pang mingling genteness the
most tender with the sudden and fatal blow Of his hand
His remains reached Washington at o'clock Tuesday
morning. attended by his children and his brohcrnaw,
who had taken the evening from Washington to join
them.
The funeral attended on Wednesday at o'clock.
As special mark of respect, in addition to
company of prominent citizens the members of the facul
y and trustees of the Columbian College and the book
dealers Of the city WHO had agreed TO close their stores
the OCCASION attended in body At the request Of the
family brief tribute to the memory Of Mr.. Farnham
made in an address by Rev. @. W. Samson of the
Street Baptist church The funeral services
Quoted by the Rev Mr. Hail. Of the Church of the Epph
any, to which his wife attached and on the follow