Background
Franklin was born in Worcester County, Maryland, and graduated from Jefferson College in 1836.
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John Franklin
Edit ProfileUnited States representative judge politician
Education
He studied law at the University of Michigan and was admitted to the bar in 1841, he moved to Saint Charles, Illinois and established a private law practice.
Career
He was unsuccessful in gaining the party"s nomination for a third term. Early in the Civil War, Farnsworth organized the 8th Illinois Cavalry at President Abraham Lincoln"s direction and was commissioned as its first colonel. 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 in 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 brigadier general of volunteers on December 5, 1862.
He resigned his commission in March 1863 to resume his duties as a congressman (this time from the district including Street Charles), serving until 1873. 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, District of Columbia in 1880 and continued as an attorney until his death.
Farnsworth is interred in North Cemetery in Saint Charles.
Politics
About 1852, he moved to Chicago and was active in the local political scene as a Democrat. Switching parties (partially due to his abolitionist views), he was elected as a Republican to Congress for two terms (1857-1861).
Membership
He was a member of the State House of Delegates 1840 - 1843, and served as speaker one term, then was president of the State board of public works in 1851. He again became a member of the State house of delegates in 1859.
Connections
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Born
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Died
January 11, 1878 (aged 57) -
Nationality
United States -
Political Party
Republican party