John F. Farnsworth

John Franklin Farnsworth (March 27, 1820 – July 14, 1897) was a seven-term U.S. Representative from Illinois (1857-1861, 1863-1873) and a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He commanded brigades in the Cavalry Corps from September 1862 to February 1863. He was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln for appointment to the grade of brigadier general on November 29, 1862 but was not confirmed by the United States Senate. His nomination was ordered returned to President Lincoln on February 12, 1863. He resigned his commission in the Union Army on March 4, 1863, the day he started his third term in Congress.

Early and family life Farnsworth was born in Eaton, Quebec, now Cookshire-Eaton, Quebec, on March 27, 1820, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1834. He studied law at the University of Michigan. He was a descendant of Matthias Farnsworth (1612-1688), who immigrated to America from Eccles, Lancashire, England, prior to 1650, settling in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Early career According to the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, Farnsworth was admitted to the bar in 1841 and began practicing law in St. Charles, Ill. He was elected as a Republican to the 35th and 36th Congresses (March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861), and was not a candidate for renomination in 1860.

American Civil War

Farnsworth organized the 8th Illinois Cavalry at President Abraham Lincoln's direction and was commissioned its first colonel. He helped secure a lieutenant's commission for his 24-year-old nephew Elon John Farnsworth, who would die in action at the Battle of Gettysburg. The older Farnsworth also was instrumental in raising the 17th Illinois. He led the 8th Illinois Cavalry during the Peninsula Campaign, seeing action at the Battle of Williamsburg and in 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 was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln for appointment to the grade of brigadier general of volunteers on November 29, 1862 but was not confirmed by the United States Senate.