Farnum, Henry H.

HENRY H. FARNUM.— The history of the development of the business interests of Port Jervis is inseparably connected with the presence in its midst of Henry H. Farnum. The name of no resident is more justly entitled to honorable mention as filling successfully and unostentatiously the roles of prosperous merchant, public- spirited citizen, and philanthropist. In his business relations, Mr. Farnum established a character for manliness and integrity which won for him the confidence of the community, but it is especially as a philanthropist that his memory is cherished by the citizens, and in a marked degree by the poor of Port Jervis. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., May 10, 1808, and removed later to Otsego Co. N.Y. where, at such times as were possible, he attended the public school, and later the academy at Albany, N.Y. He subsequently joined the corps of engineers engaged in the construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. He remained with this corps until the completion of the enterprise in 1828, and was then appointed superintendent of the section upon which he had been engaged. He was afterward made assistant engineer, and remained with the company until 1838. Mr. Farnum later became resident engineer of the Black River Canal, during which time very important works were constructed which greatly enhanced his professional reputation.

He came to Port Jervis, then a small village, in 1842, and became a partner with Charles St. John in the general mercantile business. This was continued by him with successive partners until the year 1861, when he retired from trade.

Mr. Farnum was identified with all the prominent business interests of Port Jervis. He was one of the directors in the Bank of Port Jervis, established in 1853, and its president from 1867 until his decease. He was also the first president of the Port Jervis Gas-Light Company, and continued to fill the office during the remainder of his life.

He was instrumental in the organization of the Port Jervis Water- works, and in 1872 was elected president of the company. Upon the organization of the Barrett Bridge Company in 1871, Mr. Farnum was chosen a director and its vice- president.

In 1868 he became a member of the Reformed Dutch Church, and ever after manifested much liberality in gifts to the church of his adoption. The present edifice was erected at a cost of $40,000, of which $13,000 was contributed by him. This was followed by the presentation of an organ, at a cost of $3000, and later by the erection of a chapel adjoining, the church, at a cost of $15,000. Soon after a contribution of $2500 was made to the library of the theological seminary at New Brunswick. Numerous smaller bequests testify to the large- heartedness of the man. The private benefactions, which brought relief to the suffering, fed the poor and clothed the naked, are numberless, and exemplified by the giver the Divine injunction, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."’ Mr. Farnum was one of twelve children, but four of whom survive him., He was twice married; first, to Miss Abigail Ann, daughter of the late Stephen St. John, Jan. 11, 1837, who died in May, 1874; and a second time, to Mrs. Diana Farnum, in 1879. Mrs. Farnum still survives her husband.