The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-01
ROSWELL FARNHAM,


Farnham was born in Boston in 1927
Gov. Farnham is of the eight genera
ton in line of direct descent from
Ralph Farnham, who emigrated from
England to America and settled at
Andover, Mass. His maternal grand
father Capt. David Bixby, was a dis
tinguished soldier of the Revolution,
and was present at the actions of Lex
ington and Bunker Hill, afterwards
doing excellent service in Rhode Island.
The father of Roswell Farnham was
in business on Court street, Boston.
He removed to Haverhil1 Mass. where
he began the manufacture of boots and
shoes for the southern market. In
1889 the great financial deluge which
swept so many fortunes away, ruined
him. In 1910 Roswell Farnham, ST.,
removed his family to Bradford where
he purchased farm on the Connecti-
cut river upon which he resided until
within two years of his death, in De-
cember, 1860.
The subject of this sketch prepared
for college in the academy at Brad
ford, and while thus engaged assisted
in the cultivation of his fathers farm
Lacking the means to enter college
when he was fully prepared, he pur-
sued the studies of the freshman and
sophomore classes at the same acad-
envy, and in September, 1847 joined the
junior class at the University of Yer
mont, from which he graduated in
August, 1849, and received the degree
OF A. M. three years later. Immedi-
ately after graduation, he entered upon
active duty as a teacher at Durham,
Lower Canada, now Province of Que
bee, from thence he. removed to Frank
lin, VT, where he took charge of the
Franklin Academica1 Institution, and
later taught in Bradford Academy.
He found leisure for the study of law
and was admitted to practice at the
Orange County Bar in 1857.
Mr.. Farnham's professional career
began as the partner of Robert Nick.
Ormsby. In 1859 he commenced
practice independently, soon acquired
a renumerative business and had the
satisfaction of witnessing it's gradual
increase. During the same year he
was elected States attorney for Orange
County, blythe republican party and
was subsequently twice reelected.
AS second lieutenant of the Bradford
Mr.. Farnham accompanied
the first regiment of Vermont Volun-
teers to the scene of action, and was
stationed most of three months service
at Fortress Monroe and Newport News,
Va. When the 18th Vermont Vol
unteer regiment was formed the Gov
ernor detailed the Bradford Guards as
one of the companies of that organiza-
ton, Lieut.. Farnham was elected their
captain, and soon after Capt. Farm
ham was appointed and commissioned
rs Lieut.. Colonel. For nearly half
If the term of his new service he was
n command of the regiment. The
Colonel being in command of the
brigade. AT the expiration of the
second term of service Col. Farnham
eturned to the practice of law in
Bradford where he has since resided.
Shortly after he was the republican
andidate for representative of the
own, but was defeated by a demo-
ratio majority, In 1868 and 80 he
vas elected by the republicans to the
state senate, and served creditably in
hat body throughout both terms. He
vas chairman of three important COM
nittees and member of two others.
II 1876 he was, a delegate to the Ma
ional Republican Convention, which
dominated X. B. Hayes for the presi-
ency. He was also one of the presi-
entail electors in the same year, and
or three years was a member of the
'tate Board of Education. He has
cen one of the elective trustees of the
University of Vermont and State Ag-
icultural College.
In 1880 Col Farnham was elected to ,
he chief nagistry of Vermont. by the /
nusual majority of 25,O12 votes. Dur
1g his two years of official life as
Governor, he attended faithfully and :
to the duties of his position.
nd that to the neglect of his personal
fairs. In religious matters he Is, as !
hight be anticipated, from what has \
cen said of his ancestry and educa- :
alton; member of the Congrepa- :
onal church. .
Gov. Farnham was married in lS4o !
, Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of
apt. Ezekiel and Nancy IRogersl
ohnson, of Bradford. Three living
lildren are the fruit of their union. T
has Cyrus, Florence Mary and VIM. :
ills. :
GAFFIEID q