Charles S. Farnsworth Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 616

Staff Only

Scope and content

The Farnsworth Collection consists of correspondence and subject files covering his long career and retirement. The Correspondence Series has been arranged chronologically and consists of both in-coming and outgoing letters. It is by no means complete, and just a portion of all his correspondence, with several other depositories having parts of his papers. (See the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections). The correspondence is related to his tenure at the University of North Dakota, the Bosard family, including Robert Bosard, and the Bosard Farming Company, of which General Farnsworth became president after his father-in-law’s death in 1907. But, there are exceptions throughout relating mainly to his military career. Included are several letters from General John J. Pershing, General George C. Marshall, William Lemke, and Judge W. L. Nuessle. The Subject Files Series include a variety of materials, including Mrs. Farnsworth’s autograph book and biographical information on her father, James H. Bosard. The other files relate mainly to General Farnsworth’s career. The newspaper clippings, arranged by subject, are few. The speeches comprise the greatest portion of this section and are related to the military and West Point. Also of note are the several issues of the 37th Division Times newsletter.

Dates

1888-1955.

Creator

Farnsworth, Charles S., 1862-1955. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The Institute does not own the copyrights.

Biography

Charles Stewart Farnsworth was born October 29, 1862, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, the son of Issac and Sarah (Moore) Farnsworth. The family later lived in Butler and Clarion, Pennsylvania, where he attended public schools and Carrier Seminary at Clarion. He then worked for Western Union telegraph Company and Bell Telephone Company until 1883, when he entered the U. S. Military Academy. He graduated from West Point in 1887. Later in his career he attended the Army School of Line and Staff College (1909-1919) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Army War College in 1916 at Washington. He married Laura J. Galey on July 20, 1887, who died May 20, 1890, at Fort Shaw, Montana. They had one child, Robert James Farnsworth. General Farnsworth served at Fort Sisseton, South Dakota; Fort Shaw, Montana; and Fort Buford, North Dakota. In 1893 he became the Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, a post he held until 1897. While there, he married Helen D. Bosard on November 28, 1894, the daughter of Grand Forks Attorney, James H. Bosard. After serving at the University, he served at over 25 different stations, including Pershings Punitive Expedition in Mexico (1916). On May 22, 1918, during World War I, General Farnsworth became Commander of the 37th Division of the American Expeditionary Forces During that period it took part in the occupation of the Bacarat (Vasges Mountains) and Panne (St. Micheil) sectors and the offensives in the Argonne-Meuse and Ypres and Lys. In April, 1919, he returned to the United States and became head of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1920, he became Chief of Infantry, a position he held until his retirement in 1925. General Farsworth and his wife retired to Altedena, California, where they led active lives in the community. Mrs. Farnsworth died July 22, 1951, and General Farnsworth on December 19, 1955. They are buried at the Presidio, San Francisco.

Extent

.8 Linear Feet (1 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Career military man who saw action in conflicts with Native Americans, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.

Provenance

Donated by Robert J. Farnsworth, Altedena, California, March 25, 1956, and August 22, 1961.

Related Materials

Additional Farnsworth papers at University of Alaska Library and Henry E. Huntington Library.

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items were removed from the Charles S. Farnsworth Papers and have been sent to the section indicated. Photographs (Institute photograph collection) 5 items - Charles Farnsworth (1890s in uniform and 1920’s in uniform), Marion Titus Venderhoef and other women in one of first automobiles in Grand Forks (White Steamer), and the residence of James H. Bosard (1890s).