John G. Farnsworth

John G. Farnsworth (21 January 1832 – 6 April 1895) was an American businessman and National Guard officer from Albany, New York. A native of Elmira, New York and Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, Farnsworth attained the rank of major general as Adjutant General of New York. In his civilian career, Farnsworth was a partner in J. O. Towner & Co., an Albany lumber wholesaler.

Early life John Gosman Farnsworth was born in Elmira, New York on 21 January 1832, a son of Marshall L. Farnsworth and Joanna B. (Gosman) Farnsworth. He was educated at academies in Ithaca, New York, Albany, New York, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, then began a business career with J. O. Towner & Co., an Albany lumber wholesaler; Farnsworth eventually became a partner in company. His company was mustered into federal service as Company B, 76th New York Infantry Regiment, and he served until leaving the regiment to accept an officer's commission.

Start of career In April 1862, Farnsworth joined the Union Army as a quartermaster with the rank of captain. In September 1868, Farnsworth was appointed commander of the 10th Regiment with the rank of colonel, and he held this position until 1871. He was succeeded as adjutant general by Josiah Porter.

In the mid-1880s, Farnsworth was appointed receiver of the Bankers' and Merchants' Telegraph Company, which had originally been organized to compete with Western Union. Following its financial collapse, the company became embroiled in lawsuits against Western Union. At Farnsworth's direction, attorneys including Roscoe Conkling and Robert G. Ingersoll sued Western Union for damaging Bankers' and Merchants' business by taking possession of and cutting its lines. The suit was successful, and the plaintiffs obtained a $240,000 judgment (almost $9 million in 2026).

In 1886, Farnsworth was placed in charge of New York's pursuit of wartime claims against the federal government.