John F. Farnsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John F. Farnsworth
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 2nd district |
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| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | Isaac N. Arnold |
| Succeeded by | Jasper D. Ward |
| In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861 |
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| Preceded by | James Hutchinson Woodworth |
| Succeeded by | Isaac N. Arnold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1820 Eaton, Quebec (now Cookshire-Eaton, Quebec) |
| Died | July 14, 1897 (aged 77) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1863 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands | 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Franklin Farnsworth (born March 27, 1820 – died July 14, 1897) was an important American politician and soldier. He served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois for seven terms. This means he was elected to help make laws for the country. He was also a high-ranking officer, a colonel, in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He led groups of soldiers called brigades. President Abraham Lincoln even wanted to promote him to a higher rank, but it didn't happen. He left the army to continue his work in Congress.
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Early Life and Education
John Franklin Farnsworth was born in Eaton, Quebec, Canada, on March 27, 1820. When he was about 14 years old, in 1834, his family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He later studied law at the University of Michigan.
Farnsworth was a descendant of Matthias Farnsworth. Matthias came to America from England before 1650. He settled in a place called Lynn, Massachusetts.
Starting His Career
John Farnsworth became a lawyer in 1841. He started his law practice in St. Charles, Illinois.
He was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Republican. He served two terms from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1861. After these terms, he did not run for re-election right away.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, John Farnsworth helped organize a group of soldiers. This group was called the 8th Illinois Cavalry. President Abraham Lincoln asked him to do this. Farnsworth became the first colonel of this cavalry unit.
He also helped his 24-year-old nephew, Elon John Farnsworth, get a job as a lieutenant in the army. Sadly, his nephew later died in a famous battle called the Battle of Gettysburg. John Farnsworth also helped create another Illinois army unit, the 17th Illinois.
He led the 8th Illinois Cavalry during a major military operation called the Peninsula Campaign. His soldiers fought in battles like the Battle of Williamsburg and the Seven Days Battles.
In September 1862, Farnsworth led a cavalry brigade in the Army of the Potomac. This was during the Maryland Campaign. His troops had small fights with Confederate cavalry led by J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton. These fights happened near South Mountain and Middletown, Maryland.
President Lincoln wanted to promote Farnsworth to a higher rank, brigadier general. However, the United States Senate did not approve this promotion.
Back to Congress
John Farnsworth left the army on March 4, 1863. This was the same day he started his third term as a congressman. He was elected to Congress for five more terms, serving until March 3, 1873.
During this time, he was in charge of an important committee. It was called the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads.
Farnsworth was a good friend of President Lincoln. He was even in the room when President Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. Lincoln had been shot by an assassin.
Farnsworth supported the government's plans to rebuild the country after the Civil War. This period was known as Reconstruction. He also voted to remove President Andrew Johnson from office. This process is called impeachment.
After his time in Congress, he went back to being a lawyer in Chicago. In 1880, he moved to Washington, D.C. He continued to practice law there until he died.
Family Life
John Farnsworth married Mary Ann Clark in 1846. She was from New York. They had six children together: Sarah, Frances, John, William, Adeline, and John Franklin Farnsworth Jr.
Death and Legacy
John Farnsworth died on July 14, 1897. He is buried in North Cemetery in St. Charles, Illinois.
His large house, or mansion, in St. Charles was built in 1860. It was used as a school for many years, from 1907 to 1991. Later, a group of local people started the Farnsworth Mansion Foundation. They plan to rebuild his mansion on the land where his Civil War training camp, Camp Kane, used to be.
See also
In Spanish: John Franklin Farnsworth para niños
