Charles A. Farnsworth Grant County, New Mexico

Charles A. Farnsworth, of Silver City, filling the office of sheriff of Grant County, is a native of La Salle County, Illinois, his birth having occurred in Redding on the 5th of April, 1868. In 1885 he came to New Mexico with his parents, Thomas F. and Nannah (Wright) Farnsworth, both of whom were of English ancestry, and the father is now deceased. In 1878 they left Illinois and for seven years thereafter were residents of Nepesta, Colorado, so that Charles A. Farnsworth, who was but ten years of age at the time of the removal from Illinois, acquired his education by studying successively in the schools of his native state, Colorado and New Mexico. In early life he herded cattle for four months and was afterward connected with a grocery business at Lake Valley for two years. Subsequently he conducted a store for one year for W. C. Hadley Company at Hadley, now Luna, Grant County. In connection with his brother he became owner of a large cattle ranch on Bear creek and was identified with its management for nine years, at the end of which time he sold out, in 1900, and in connection with his brothers, T. F. and William S. Farnsworth, opened a grocery store and meat market in Silver City, which they still conduct, having a well-appointed store, which has secured a liberal patronage and, therefore, returns to them a good income.

Mr. Farnsworth votes with the Republican Party and is a loyal advocate of its principles. He was nominated upon the Republican ticket for the office of sheriff in October, 1902, but was defeated in that year. In 1904 he was again nominated and won the election by a majority of one hundred and twenty-five in a county which has a large normal Democratic strength. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, with the Knights of Pythias and with the A. O. U. W. He is now discharging the duties of his office in a fearless, capable manner, and at the same time is connected with mercantile interests in Silver City.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.