Marshall L. Farnsworth (1849 – 1923)
Mary Edith Payne (1854 – 1921)
Marshall L. Farnsworth was the fourth child and third son born to Calvin David and Lydia M. (Nichols) Farnsworth. He was born on July 11, 1849 at the town of Collins, Erie County, western New York where his father worked as a blacksmith. At the age of ten months Marshall appears in the 1850 Federal census of Collins, Erie County, New York (Dwelling #659, Family #685) with his parents and siblings David F. (age 7), Sarah E. (age 5), and Adelbert H. (age 3). Living next door to him are his grandparents Chandler Farnsworth (age 67, also a blacksmith) and Betsey Farnsworth (age 61), along with two females Mariah Farnsworth age 21 and Mariett (Marietta) Farnsworth age 18 [possibly 28]. The Farnsworth clan had migrated from western Massachusetts to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, New York, just a few miles to the south of Collins during the 1820’s. In 1835 Marshall’s great-grandfather William Farnsworth, a Revolutionary War veteran, had died and was buried in Perrysburg.
Marshall L. Farnsworth was likely named after his father's cousin, Rev. Marshall Look Farnsworth. The original Marshall, son of Calvin David Farnsworth's older brother William Farnsworth was born in Hawley, Franklin County, MA on March 12, 1798 and died on November 27, 1838 in Danby, Tompkins County, New York. A variety of historical records indicate that Marshall Look Farnsworth was a Presbyterian minister in Elmira, Chenango County, New York in the early 1830's and is buried in the Danby [Tompkins County] Congregational Cemetery. The inscription on his tombstone reads:
Rev. M. L. FARNSWORTH, died Nov. 27 1838, aged 40 years.
"2 Tim. 4.7. I have kept the faith."
No doubt Calvin David Farnsworth, himself becoming a preacher, wanted to honor his cousin's memory by naming his son after him.
In late 1850 or early 1851 the one year-old Marshall Farnsworth made the trek westward with his family to Colesburg, Delaware County, Iowa where his father began his preaching career as a Baptist minister. Marshall spent the next fifteen years of his life moving with his family to various towns in the northeastern Iowa counties of Delaware, Clayton, and Allamakee, where his father either preached or worked as a blacksmith. Marshall is listed as a six year-old boy with his family living in Delhi Township, Delaware County at the time of the 1856 Iowa Census (page 616). At the time of the 1860 census Marshall was enumerated with this family and his grandmother Betsey Farnsworth in the short-lived town of York, Honey Creek Township located 12 miles west of Colesburg. During these early years Marshall lost his young brothers Adelbert and Charles, as well as a younger sister Eva. He gained two additional brothers, Elbert and James, and two sisters, Melissa and Julia. Little is known of Marshall in these early years, but it is evident that his father taught his brother David and him the skills of the blacksmith trade during these formative years.
Marshall’s eldest brother David, his parents, and younger siblings migrated west to Bremer County, Iowa by 1866, where Rev. C. D. Farnsworth started the Baptist Church in the town of Plainfield, which was springing up with the new railroad line. Marshall’s obituary implies that he accompanied his parents to Bremer County, but appears to have returned to Clayton County when his parents moved to Minnesota. The 1870 US Census of Strawberry Point, Clayton County, Iowa shows the 20 year-old Marshall Farnsworth [incorrectly listed as "Martin" Farnsworth] living with his older sister Sarah Farrand and her family and working as a farm laborer. His younger sister Melissa also is listed working as a schoolteacher in the vicinity at that time. It is likely that at this point in his life, Marshall was seeking work and a place to establish himself. Within a year Marshall had migrated to the Spring Valley, Fillmore County, Minnesota where his father had moved in 1870 to continue his missionary preaching.
One of the outlying areas in which Rev. Farnsworth preached was at the hamlet of Hamilton, Minnesota about 7 miles northwest of Spring Valley on the border of Fillmore and Mower Counties. It was here that Marshall met Mary Edith Payne. Mary Edith Payne was the seventh of eleven children known to be born to the farmer Almon Payne and Mary “Polly” Reniff. Both Almon and Polly Payne had been born in western Massachusetts not many miles from Calvin Farnsworth’s birthplace, and in the 1830’s they lived in Chautauqua County within miles of where Calvin and Lydia Farnsworth married and gave birth to their oldest children. Thus it is feasible that the Payne and Farnsworth families were acquainted with one another prior to coming to Fillmore County, Minnesota.
Mary Payne’s older siblings were born in the vicinity of Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York, and sometime between 1852 and 1854 the family began its westward migration to the unsettled areas of central Wisconsin. It may have been en route to their eventual destination that Polly Payne gave birth to her first of only two daughters, for Mary Edith Payne was recorded to have been born at Janesville, Rock County in southern Wisconsin on February 6, 1854. From about 1855 to 1864 Almon Payne farmed near Chester, Adams County in central Wisconsin. Mary lost her oldest brother Elliott Payne in the Civil War in 1863, and in 1864 the Payne family pulled up stakes and moved about 150 miles west to farm in Sumner Township, Fillmore County, in southeastern Minnesota.
Marshall L. Farnsworth and Mary Edith Payne married on November 1, 1872 in Spring Valley. According to Fillmore County, Minnesota wedding records, the witnesses to the marriage were Marshall’s sister and husband, an "A.G.F. & S.E. Farrand" (i.e. Abram G. Farrand and his wife Sarah Elizabeth (Farnsworth) Farrand). The wedding was conducted by the Rev. C.D. Farnsworth. A formal studio portrait of Mary Farnsworth (taken around 1880) reveals a petite, prim, attractive, dark-haired woman with a somewhat serious countenance. Within a year (July 3, 1873) Marshall’s younger sister Melissa “Missy” Amelia Farnsworth married Mary’s older brother Luther Cummings Payne in Spring Valley. Rev. C. D. Farnsworth again presided over this wedding and Marshall was recorded as one of the witnesses to his sister’s marriage.
Marshall and
Mary Farnsworth’s oldest child and only daughter Nellie May
Farnsworth was born in Sumner Township (at or near Hamilton) on
February 8, 1874. It then appears that by 1876, Mary and
Marshall and Nellie had moved to Plainfield, Bremer County, Iowa,
probably to work with Marshall’s older brother David, a
blacksmith. It was in Plainfield that their second child
Herbert Almon Farnsworth was born on July 2, 1877. In a
letter from Pastor Robert D. Hanthorn of the First Baptist Church
in Plainfield, Iowa to Rebbecca Farnsworth Calderwood, dated
April 13, 1989, Pastor Hanthorn provides Rebbecca with a series
of references in the old church records of Farnsworth's (all
being of the same family, descended from Calvin D. Farnsworth,
the founder of the church). One reference states that a
"Martin" Farnsworth appeared on the church membership
list in 1876, but disappeared from the list by 1878. Another
entry indicates that a Marg(?) (probably Mary) Farnsworth was on
the Baptist church's membership list on September 20, 1878, but
"Was dismissed from the church by letter," a practice
when one transfers from one church to another. Thus it
appears that Marshall and Mary Farnsworth would have only stayed
in Plainfield for the brief span of perhaps 1876 to 1879.
By
the time of the birth of their third child Edgar Marshall
Farnsworth on February 11, 1879, Marshall and family had returned
to Hamilton, Minnesota, where Marshall set up his blacksmith
business, and where they remained until 1902. In the
interim Mary would give birth to two more sons: Colonel Wood
Farnsworth (March 21, 1882) and Elwin Harry Farnsworth (April 22,
1891). From photographs, it appears their home was located
on the Mower County side of Hamilton to the north of Bear Creek,
where clear spring waters bubbled out of the ground at a constant
48 degrees. 1880 Census records show that Marshall and Mary
Farnsworth were living very close to her father Almon Payne's
family in Hamilton, and the 1895 and 1900 Census records show
that they were living in close proximity to Mary's brother
Charles Payne and family in the same location. The marriage
certificate of his daughter Nellie’s marriage to a James
Edward “Ed” Woods on April 19, 1899 reveals that
Marshall L. Farnsworth was a witness to the proceedings (the
second marriage for his independent daughter) in nearby Racine,
Mower County.
Marshall moved to Edgeley, LaMoure
County, North Dakota in May 1902 with his wife and three youngest
boys Edgar, Colonel, and Elwin Farnsworth. Edgeley was a
town whose growth was taking off in the first decade of the 1900's
with the coming of the railroad and the settling of the Plains.
Economic opportunity was likely the prime motivator for Marshall’s
move, since the town of Hamilton had been bypassed by the
railroad in favor of the town of Racine, Minnesota, three miles
to the northwest. It is also known that other migrants to
Edgeley came from the southeast Minnesota area, including
Hamilton. Marshall set up a blacksmith shop when first
coming to Edgeley. Within several years he had turned this
business over to his son Edgar, buying about a quarter section of
farmland located on the southeast corner of Section 23 of the
Golden Glen Township, 3.5 miles southeast of Edgeley. A
history of Edgeley states that he broke up the virgin soil on
that land. A 1913 plat map of Golden Glen township revealed
that Marshall owned this 160 acres jointly with his son Edgar.
Edgar had married the indomitable Elizabeth Stiles in Hamilton,
Minnesota prior to moving to North Dakota. Edgar had a
successful blacksmith and welding business, and he and Elizabeth
“Lizzie” would spend the remainder of their years in
Edgeley, where they raised their children Bertrude, Ethel, Alice,
Isabel, Marion, and Edgar Jr.
Picture at
right taken about 1915 at Edgeley, North Dakota
Known people standing in middle row: Marshall and Mary Farnsworth, son Edgar and wife Elizabeth Farnsworth (white blouse)
Kneeling: Ed Woods and wife Nellie (Farnsworth) Woods
Seated: Edgar’s daughters Alice, Isabel, and Ethel, Elwin Farnsworth and family friend Leroy Gifford
1913 Plat Map of Golden Glen Township, LaMoure County, North Dakota
Shows location of Marshall and Mary Farnsworth’s farm in the SE quarter of Section 23
Sometime
before 1910 until later that decade, Marshall’s daughter
Nellie and husband Ed Woods lived in Edgeley, where Ed worked as
a house painter and Nellie operated a millinery (hat) shop.
An obituary also revealed that Mary and Marshall’s oldest
son Herbert, his wife Myrtle (Loucks), and their only son Vernard
lived in Edgeley for a period of 4 years sometime between 1902
and 1915. Marshall’s third son Colonel Farnsworth and
his wife Alice “Meda” Hostetter raised two sons, Roland
and Marshall Farnsworth, in Edgeley while working as a farmer,
carpenter, and house painter. Marshall and Mary themselves
farmed for over 10 years with their youngest child, Elwin Harry
Farnsworth. When Elwin wed the 18 year-old Mabel Lois Kime
in 1917, Marshall and Mary moved off the homestead and moved into
a home about a half block west of Main Street in Edgeley. It
was here that Marshall resided until Mary's death on June 26,
1921. He then appears to have lived with an older friend,
Mr. Leroy Gifford, until a month before his death on April 3,
1923. Photographs show Marshall visiting his younger
brother Elbert H. Farnsworth (widowed in 1918) in San Diego,
California about 1922, a year before Marshall's death in Edgeley.
Both Marshall and Mary Farnsworth are buried beside their son
Edgar Farnsworth in the Mount Hope Cemetery on the southwest side
of Edgeley, North Dakota.
1919 – Taken outside Mary and Marshall Farnsworth’s home in Edgeley, North Dakota
Mary and Marshall Farnsworth seated with sons Colonel, Elwin, Edgar and Herbert in the back row
3rd Row: Colonel’s wife Meda and his sons Marshall and Roland, Herbert Farnsworth’s wife Myrtle
Seated: Lizzie Farnsworth (Edgar’s wife) holding daughter Marion with daughters Isabel and Alice Farnsworth seated on ground.
As related by her grandson Elwin Arthur Farnsworth, Mary Payne Farnsworth was known to be very proper and a perfectionist. "She would keep her stove polished, if it meant doing it on her hands and knees," according to her daughter-in-law Mabel Kime Farnsworth. The Payne family was said to be quite musical. Mary was frail, suffering much from respiratory ailments the last decades of her life.
Marshall was somewhat wiry in stature. According to his grandson, Marshall was said to be very intelligent, but afflicted with bouts of severe depression later in life. According to his daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Edgar's wife), Marshall was a perfectionist and very strict with his children. He was fond of his only daughter Nellie May Farnsworth who, because of her wild and unconventional life, did not get along with her proper mother Mary. It is interesting to note that Nellie is not present at her mother’s funeral in 1921, and in the obituary of Marshall Farnsworth, no mention is made of a surviving daughter (Nellie lived until 1959), even though her second husband James Edward Woods seems to serve as a surrogate for Nellie at Marshall's funeral. According to the distant relative, Grace Smith of Spring Valley, Nellie had run off to California around this time and was incommunicado with the family at the time her parents passed away. The 1920 US Census at Edgeley shows Marshall as a retired farmer, living with his wife Mary and his son-in-law "Edward Wood" living as a "roomer" and working as a painter. Nellie is gone at the time.
It is worth mentioning a few more contemporary sources concerning Marshall and Mary Farnsworth. The following comes from a brief mention of Marshall and Mary on page 234 of the Edgeley (ND) Centennial History Book, published in 1986:
"Marshall was born in [actually south of] Buffalo, NY, and Mary in Janesville, WI. The Farnsworth family came to Edgeley in 1902. Marshall was a blacksmith in Edgeley for many years. His son Edgar, took over the shop when Marshall went into farming. He broke up virgin soil about three and one-half miles south of Edgeley."
The following obituary of Mary Payne Farnsworth appeared in the Thursday, July 7, 1921 edition of the Edgeley (ND) Mail newspaper:
"MRS. M. L. FARNSWORTH PASSED AWAY JUNE 26
“Mrs. M. L. Farnsworth, a well known and highly respected lady of this community, passed away at her home on Sunday, June 26th, 1921 in the afternoon, at the age of 67 years, 4 months and 20 days. She was laid to rest in Mount Hope cemetery, June 29th, Rev. Donald Finlayson having charge of the services.
“Mary E. Payne was born in Wisconsin and moved with her parents while quite small to a farm near Spring Valley, Minn. Here she grew to young woman hood, met and married M. L. Farnsworth on Nov. 1, 1871 [should be 1872]. To this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter. Mr. Farnsworth is a blacksmith by trade, and the couple, after being married, took up their residence near Racine [Minnesota]. Here they lived until 19 years ago, when they moved to the Edgeley community. Since coming to Edgeley, they have lived on the farm and also in the city.
“Herbert Farnsworth, the oldest son lives in Spring Valley, Minn. The other three sons live in Edgeley. Elmer [sic - Edgar] is a blacksmith, Colonel lives in the city and Elwin is farming the old home place. Nellie, the only daughter, was not present at the funeral. The Farnsworth family have requested the [Edgeley] Mail to express their appreciation for assistance during the sickness and death of the wife and mother, and also for the expressions of sympathy to the bereaved ones in this, their hour of sorrow. They are very thankful for the floral offerings."
The following obituary of Marshall L. Farnsworth appeared in the Thursday, April 12, 1923 edition of the Edgeley (ND) Mail newspaper:
"MARSHAL [sic] L. FARNSWORTH
“Marshall L. Farnsworth was born in New York state on July 11, 1849 and spent the first 11 years of his life there [error: he spent 1 year in New York]. At that time his parents moved west and settled in Breemer [sic - Bremer] County, Iowa, where they spent a few years. Later they moved to Spring Valley, Minnesota.
“In November 1, 1872, Mr. Farnsworth was married to Miss Mary E. Payne who died here on June 26, 1921 after spending a number of years in this community and making many friends.
“Until the
time he moved to Edgeley in May 1902, Mr. Farnsworth had been
engaged in following the blacksmith trade, but moved to a farm
not far south of here. As the last days of his life
aproached [sic], he seemed to feel his great weakness but would
not admit it and it worried him to look at his weakened body and
realize that he had once been strong and healthy. Until
about a month ago, he lived with Mr. Gifford but, at that time
his son Ed persuaded him to come and stay at their home. From
that time on his trouble grew rapidly worse and he died on April
3, 1923.
“He is survived by two brothers, three sisters, 4 sons, and nine grandchildren. He was buried in Mount Hope cemetery with the beautiful service of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
“J. E. Wood [sic - Woods] of Blooming Prairie [Minnesota] came to attend the funeral.
“CARD OF THANKS
“We wish to thank all friends and neighbors who helped in the illness and death of our father. ---
E. M. Farnsworth
Colonel Farnsworth
Elwin Farnsworth
J. E. Wood"
Mt. Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, North Dakota
Memorial Day 2003
