Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Farrington, John March 24, 1842 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net February 19, 2006, 10:05 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     A close and keen observation of men demonstrates that success in human life

is largely a matter of constitution, depending on a healthy state of mind and

body with a resolute, dominating spirit in addition, all which are elements of

power, work and courage.  The combination is not deterred by difficulties or

daunted by dangers.  It moves forward in its chosen lines of progress without

regard to circumstances, and compels the success it desires, making even its

obstructions servants to its needs.  This fact is aptly illustrated in the

career of John Farrington, of Saguache, this state, who has been a resident of

Colorado since 1873, and during the whole of this period has been a valued and

material contributor to the advancement of the state, promoting especially in

the region of his home at any time works of public improvement and leading

forward to the development of the country and the elevation of taste among its

people.   He was born on March 24, 1842, near London, England, which was also

the place of nativity for his parents, James and Jane Farrington, who passed

their lives in their native land prosperously engaged in farming, the father

dying a number of years ago and the mother on September 7, 1903.  Their son John

is their only living child.  He received a common school education and at the

age of sixteen assumed the burden of life for himself, learning the trade of a

carpenter and builder, and doing at any time whatever offered good returns and

was worthy of his powers.  In 1866 he emigrated to the United States and located

at Chicago, where he worked at his trade three years.  He then moved to

Milwaukee, but after two years of mechanical employment there, returned to

Chicago, where he remained until the fall of 1873.  At that time he joined the

tide of emigration westward, coming to Colorado and taking up his residence at

Pueblo and remaining there working at his trade until 1876.  He built the first

brick house on the mesa at the head of the viaduct there, and within the same

year changed his residence to Saguache county.  Crestone was the location he

selected for his home in this county, and he was the first settler at that

point.  While there he engaged in prospecting and mining, and also in building.

 He became prominent and influential in a short time, and was a leading spirit

in setting off that part of the county as a separate district, presiding over

the meeting at which the new division was organized.  He also served on the

school board and gave an impetus to the cause of public education which it has

never lost.  His prospecting and mining ventures were unsuccessful, but his

building operations were profitable.  In 1878 he helped to put up the first

furnace for Crook Brothers.  Since 1881 he has made the town of Saguache his

home, and been prominent in all its public affairs.  He built all the principal

buildings in the town, including the county courthouse, and many in other parts

of the county, being considered the most reliable builder within its limits. 

From 1885 to 1890 he served on the town board, and during this service started

tree planting to adorn the municipality and also secured provision for and laid

out the park.  Afterward he was twice elected mayor on the citizens’ ticket. 

From 1881 to 1902 he was occupied in ranching and raising cattle in addition to

his other employments, having a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres nine miles

northwest of Saguache, one-half of the land being under cultivation.  In 1902 he

rented the place to a tenant, and since then he has not been actively connected

with its work.  Mr. Farrington is one of the county’s self-made, substantial and

most public-spirited men, a stanch Republican in politics, a third-degree

Freemason in fraternal life, also a Woodman of the World, and as a citizen is

held in the highest esteem everywhere.  On October 6, 1867, he was married to

Miss Ellen Lawley, a native of Birmingham, England.  They have three children,

Mrs. Oscar B. Mack, Matilda and George L.  In addition to his ranch and his town

dwelling Mr. Farrington owns other real estate in the town and county.  No

element of the county’s greatness and progress has escaped his notice or been

without the aid of his wise and active mind.  Taking firm hold of the forces of

the people, and seeing clearly the needs of the section, he has devoted his best

efforts to make the most of the situation for himself and others, and has been

of the most substantial service in bringing about the present state of

advancement for which it is noted.  



Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905



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