FARNHAM, HERBERT A., adopted son of Lorenzo D. and Harriett F. FARNHAM, was born in Sutton, Vermont, in 1859. His father was a Union soldier and died in Andersonville prison. 

      Herbert early learned to depend upon his own resources and his boyhood and youth were spent in the labors of the farm and in attendance upon the district schools in the towns of Walden and St Johnsbury. Later, as he was able to provide the means, he attended the academies of Hardwick and St. Johnsbury. He found, as many others have done a congenial resource in teaching, and a stepping-stone in his own literary and legal training, and successfully taught fourteen terms of school. 

      He began reading law with BATES & MAY in 1889, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1894. During the summer of 1895 he found congenial employment as the representative of a firm of school-book publishers. 

      He opened an office in the Merchants' bank building and in 1896 formed with David PORTER, Esq., the law firm of FARNHAM & PORTER, which existed three years. Since that time Mr. FARNHAM has continued to practice alone, with an increasing clientage and a good professional standing. He was admitted to practice in the United States district and circuit courts in 1899. 

      He was a member of Company D, Vermont National Guard, of St. Johnsbury, seven years, during which time he was promoted from private to second lieutenant. He affiliates with Passumpsic lodge, F. & A. M. 

      H.A. FARNHAM married, in 1896, Elizabeth, daughter of A. H. NOYES, and their fireside is cheered by two sons, Paul Noyes and Lorenzo Dow FARNHAM. 
 
 

Source:  Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company, 1904, page 58.

Prepared by Tom Dunn January 2004