12 Facts About Roswell Farnham

Roswell Farnham was an American politician of the Republican Party, an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, a lawyer, and the 38th governor of Vermont.

Roswell Farnham's father was in business and moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he began manufacturing boots and shoes until 1839.

In 1840 Roswell moved with his father and family to a farm on the Connecticut River in Bradford.

Roswell Farnham entered the junior class University of Vermont, where he was a member of the Lambda Iota Society: graduated in 1849, and earned a degree of AM in 1852.

Roswell Farnham taught school at Dunham, Lower Canada; was principal of Franklin Academical Institution, Franklin, Vermont; later taught at the Bradford Academy.

Roswell Farnham studied law during that time and was admitted to the Orange County Bar 1857.

Roswell Farnham was elected states attorney 1859, and twice re-elected.

Roswell Farnham was elected to the Vermont State Senate from Orange County in 1868 and 1869.

Roswell Farnham was a delegate to the Republican national convention and presidential elector 1876.

Roswell Farnham was elected Governor of Vermont in 1880 by a majority of over 26,000, at that time the third-largest majority ever recorded in the state of Vermont.

Roswell Farnham sought ways to encourage manufacturing businesses to relocate to Vermont.

Roswell Farnham died in Bradford and is interred at Bradford Town Cemetery, Bradford, Vermont.