Senator Sewall Spaulding Farwell View All Years

MR. PRESIDENT—Your Committee appointed to draft resolutions upon the life and services of the Honorable Sewell S. Farwell, late of Monticello, Iowa, beg leave to submit here with the following report:

Sewell S. Farwell was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 26, 1834; he died at Monticello, Iowa, September 21, 1909. He was educated in the common schools and at Keene Academy in his native county, and in a school at Cleveland, Ohio. He removed to Jones County, Iowa, in 1852, with his father’s family, thence to Pella, engaging in the mercantile business until 1854, when he removed to Clay County, Kansas, residing there until 1859, when he returned to Iowa, locating on a farm near Monticello. He asisted in raising and was made Captain of Company H, 31st Iowa Infantry, and on May 31, 1865, he was promoted and commissioned Major.

He served throughout the war, was present at the grand review in Washington, and was mustered out June 27, 1865. Of his company more than half lost their lives in the service. To commemorate the lives of those who enlisted at Monticello, Major Farwell recently presented a monument to the local cemetery. In 1865 he was elected state senator, serving through the Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies. He took an active part in the administration and shaping of the laws of the state in these General Asemblies, and was very earnest and conscientious in his work, having the full confidence of the people of his district.

General Grant appointed him assesor of internal revenue, in which place he served for four years, and was then appointed in 1874 as collector of internal revenue, in which capacity he served for six years. In 1880 he was elected from the Second Congressional District of Iowa to serve in the Congress of the United States. Here again he served the people in the energetic, conscientious, manner that was always characteristic of Major Farwell.

Upon h’s retirement from Congress he immediately took an active interest in the affairs of Jones County, and Monticello in particular, working for the best interest of the people and striving always for the betterment of humanity. He was active in the advancement of education, and in this work he was a man of most noble spirit. He was always ready and willing to give of his means, his time and his splendid abilities to help in advancing every good public cause. He was untiring in his industry, always insisting upon the highest integrity in public service and aiming at the highest standard of morality and honesty in all the walks of life. He was ever ready to aid by wise and patient advice, the young, especially those who were poor in this world’s goods, helping them in every way to receive the advantages of education.

To Major Farwell is largely due the growth, high standard and sucess of Lennox College at Hopkinton, Iowa. He devoted to this his energy, his time, his means, and influence, for half a century, and many the youths of our state who have received the benefits of that school have reason to hold in grateful memory his friendship and generosity. He was always courteous, and endeavored at all times to sympathize with those in distress and substantially aid the poor or needy in his community. He always gladly extended a helping hand to those deserving of aid and sympathy.

Therefore Be it Resolved, That the Senate of the State of Iowa has Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies, departed this life in his home in Monticello, Iowa, on the 21st day of September, 1909,

Therefore Be it Resolved, That the Senate of the State of Iowa has heard with great sorrow and regret of his death and it recognizes that in his departure the State of Iowa has lost one of her honored and useful citizens, who rendered great and lasting service to his state. In his service as a member of this body he was a valued legislator, counselor and servant, distinguished by his ability and eloquence and his integrity in public duty.

Resolved that the Senate of the State of Iowa joins with his neighbors and friends in sorrow and regret and hereby tenders to his family its sincere sympathy in this time of great bereavement.

Be it Further Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the Senate and that an engrossed copy authenticated by the President and Secretary be sent to the widow and family of the deceased.

H. R. CHAPMAN,

A. M. GARRETT,

ROBERT HUNTER,

Committee.

The resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote.