Farnham, Dexter
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 33, credited to Dorset, VT Unit(s): 14th VT INF Service: enl 8/28/62, m/i 10/21/62, Pvt, Co. C, 14th VT INF, m/o 7/30/63 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 04/14/1839, Dorset, VT Death: 01/26/1907 Burial: Grandview Cemetery, Shaftsbury, VT Marker/Plot: 2 Gravestone researcher/photographer: Carolyn Adams Findagrave Memorial #: 0 (There may be a Findagrave Memorial, but we have not recorded it) MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, 5/31/1906, VT; widow Ellen L., 2/16/1907, VT; minor, 12/23/1924, VT Portrait?: Unknown College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: Not Found (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: None DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice   Grandview Cemetery, Shaftsbury, VT Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. |
Dexter Farnham
Bennington Banner
Sat., January 26, 1907
DEATH CALLED OLD ENGINEER
Dexter Farnham Stricken While On Duty
WAS IN HIS ENGINE CAB
Mr. Farnham Was One of the Best Known railroad Men in This Section.
Dexter Farnham, an engineer on the Bennington branch and one of the oldest employees in the service of the Rut- land roads, was taken ill while making the run this morning and died a few minutes after being taken into the sta- tion at North Bennington.
The engineer was not feeling at all well when he took his engine this mor- ning, but he did not ask for a substitute and he pulled his train out of the lo- cal station as usual. At Pike's cross- ing the locomotive broke away from the train and ran half way to North Bennington before the engineer of fire- man noticed that they had left the cars behind. The engineer, as soon as he discovered the situation, reversed his engine and ran back for his cars.
The whistle was blown repeatedly on the way and as the engine approached the cars members of the crew stood by the side of the track and made the customary motions used in making connections. Instead of slowing down during the last few yards and hitting the front car easily the engine and train came together hard, causing an unusual jar. Conductor Shufelt gave the signal to go ahead but the engineer did not respond. Members of the rain crew climbed into the cab to fid the engineer swaying in his seat. With the assistance of Express Messenger Parker the stricken engineer was taken into the baggage car where he was made as comfortable as possible and the train was run into North Bennington. On the way the engineer revived and conversed with Mr. parker and insisted that he was going to run the engine on the return trip. He complained of a pain in his side and it was apparent that he was in no condition to work.
He was carried into the waiting room of the station, laid on a seat and a physician was summoned, but before Dr. Woodhull could reach the station he passed away. Heart failure was undoubtedly the cause of death.
Dexter Farnham was born in East Dorset, April 14, 1839, and was the son of Hiram Farnham and Adie Adams Farnham. When a young man he worked on a section of the Bennington and Rutland railroad and later as fireman and engineer. He entered the service in the Civil war with Company C of the 14th Vermont and served out his enlistment.
He was married at Londonderry February 28, 1868 to Ella Snell and in October of that year came to Bennington to reside. He was employed for a time on a work train on what is now the Chatham division of the Rutland railroad, then in process of construction,and later on the run between Bennington and Rutland. For about 15 years he has run one of the day trains on the Bennington branch road. He is survived by his widow and eight children, Clarence D., Mabel A., who is the wife of Archibald Jolivette, Wallace D., Edith E., Bessie, Florence, Mildred and Leon.
The funeral arrangements have not yet been made but the service will probably be held on Tuesday.
Mr. Farnham was a man who had the highest respect of his associates. His record as an engineer was a clean one. He was always on hand when the time came to take out his train and his work was performed in a manner that called for no reprimands. Quiet and unasuming he was generally liked by his fellow workmen and his sudden taking away was a shock to the railroad men in this vicinity. He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest engineer, run- ning on the Rutland road. His family will have the sincere sympathy of the community.
Bennington Banner
Tues. Jan. 29,1907
The funeral of Dexter Farnham was held from his late residence on Maple street this afternoon. There were a number of floral tributes and quite a large attendance including former associates on the railroad. Rev. C. W. Rowley officiated. The body was placed in the receiving vault at Bennington Center, the bearers being the four sons.
Courtesy of Tom Boudreau.