John F. Farnsworth

John F. Farnsworth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1873
Preceded by Isaac N. Arnold
Succeeded by Jasper D. Ward
In office
March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by James Hutchinson Woodworth
Succeeded by Isaac N. Arnold
Personal details
Born (1820-03-27)March 27, 1820
Eaton, Canada
Died July 14, 1897(1897-07-14) (aged 77)
Washington, D.C.
Political party Republican
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861 - 1863
Rank Brigadier General
Commands 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry
Battles/wars American Civil War

John Franklin Farnsworth (March 27, 1820 – July 14, 1897) was a seven-term U.S. Representative from Illinois and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Early and family life

Farnsworth was born in Eaton, Canada, but moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan as a young adult. He studied law at the University of Michigan.

Early Career

Admitted to the bar in 1841, Farnsworth moved to St. Charles, Illinois and established a private law practice. The Kane County Antislavery Society was founded in St. Charles in 1842.

About 1852, Farnsworth moved with this family to Chicago, although they continued to maintain their links with St. Charles and he built a mansion which reputedly became a stop on the Underground Railroad off Route 31 in 1860, but was demolished in modern times.

Farnsworth first became active in the local political scene as a Democrat. Switching parties (partially due to his abolitionist views), he began working with Joseph Medill and in 1845 helped found the Republican in 1845.[1] He twice won election to Congress as a Republican, serving from 1857–61. However, Farnsworth failed to secure the party's nomination for a third term.

American Civil War

John F. Farnsworth, photograph by Mathew Brady

Early in the Civil War, Farnsworth organized the 8th Illinois Cavalry at President Abraham Lincoln's direction and was commissioned as its first colonel. Through his political influence, he was able to help secure a lieutenant's commission for his 24-year-old nephew Elon John Farnsworth, who died at the Battle of Gettysburg. John Farnsworth also was instrumental in raising the 17th Illinois. He led the 8th Illinois Cavalry during the Peninsula Campaign, seeing his first action at the Battle of Williamsburg, then during the Seven Days Battles.

In September 1862, Farnsworth led a cavalry brigade within the Army of the Potomac during the Maryland Campaign, sparring with Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton in a series of minor engagements near South Mountain and Middletown, Maryland. He became a brevetted brigadier general of volunteers on December 5, 1862.

Resumption of Congressional career

Farnsworth resigned his military commission in March 1863 due to wartime injuries. He was elected to Congress and resumed his duties as a congressman (this time from the district including St. Charles). He was re-elected several times and served until 1873. He was a member of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads. Farnsworth was closely aligned with the Radical Republicans and a strong supporter of their extreme Reconstruction policies. He voted in favor of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He was defeated for renomination in 1872 as the political climate had shifted towards more moderation. Being beaten again two years later in yet another attempt (this time as a Democrat), he resumed practicing law in Chicago. He moved to Washington, D.C. in 1880 and continued as an attorney until his death.

Personal life

Farnsworth married Mary Ann Clark (1820-1900) from New York in 1846. They had six children: Sarah, Frances, John Farnsworth, William, Adeline and Ensign John Franklin Farnsworth, Jr.

Death and legacy

Farnsworth is interred in North Cemetery in St. Charles. The remains of his mansion were rescued and are now being rebuilt as

See also

References

  • United States Congress. "John F. Farnsworth (id: F000024)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-12-20
  • Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964, ISBN 0-8071-0822-7.
  • Works by or about John F. Farnsworth at Internet Archive
  •  "Farnsworth, John Franklin". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
James H. Woodworth		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 2nd congressional district
1857-1861		 Succeeded by
Isaac N. Arnold
Preceded by
Isaac N. Arnold		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 2nd congressional district
1863-1873		 Succeeded by
Jasper D. Ward
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