Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James
Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton
and Company, 1887-1889 and 1999. Virtualology.com warns that these 19th Century
biographies contain errors and bias. We rely on volunteers to edit the historic
biographies on a continual basis. If you would like to edit this biographyplease
submit a rewritten biography in text form.
If acceptable, the new biography will be published above the 19th Century
Appleton's Cyclopedia Biography citing the volunteer editor
Virtual American Biographies
Over 30,000 personalities
with thousands of 19th Century illustrations, signatures, and exceptional life
stories. Virtualology.com
welcomes editing and additions to the
biographies. To become this site's editor or a contributor
Click Here
or e-mail Virtualology here.
FARNAM, Henry, philanthropist, born in Scipio, N.Y., 9 November 1803" died in New Haven, Connecticut, 4 October 1883. His early years were spent on his father's farm and in attending the district school. He afterward studied mathematics by himself, and became a surveyor. He was engaged on the Erie canal, west of Rochester, about 1820, became assistant engineer of the New Haven and Northampton canal in 1825, and its superintendent in 1827. He removed to New Haven in 1839, and in 1846'8 built the railroad that took the place of the canal. He went to Illinois in 1850, and with Joseph E. Sheffield built the Chicago and Rock Island road, of which he was president in 1854'63. He then retired from active life, and, after spending about five years abroad, returned in 1868 to New Haven, where he remained till his death.
Mr. Farnam gave freely to New Haven charities, especially to the state hospital, and built for Yale, Farnam Hall, one of its best dormitories. He contributed largely for the development of East Rock park, and provided in his will that his residence, one of the finest in the City, should be given, after the death of his immediate heirs, to Yale College for a "president's house."
His son, Charles Henry Farnam, born in New Haven, Connecticut, 12 September 1846, was graduated at Yale in 1868, and at Columbia Law School in 1871. He has been for several years assistant in archeology in the Peabody museum of Yale, and has published a "History of John Whitman and his Descendants" (New Haven, 1887).
Another son, Henry Waleott Farnam, born in New Haven, Connecticut, 6 November 1853, was graduated at Yale in 1874, and received the degree of R. P. D. at Strasburg, Germany, in 1878. He was a tutor in Yale from 1878 till 1880 when he was appointed professor of political economy in Sheffield scientific school. In 1881 he became a member of its governing board. Professor Farnam has contributed to periodicals numerous articles on his specialty.
Unauthorized Site:
This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected,
associated with or authorized by the individual, family,
friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or
the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated
sites that are related to this subject will be hyper
linked below upon submission
and Evisum, Inc. review.
Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The
People. Click Here