| He took a very prominent part in behalf of the Union at the breaking out of the Civil War. He was elected to the Virginia Legislature, which was to meet at Richmond in 1861. But as he was for the Union, the war, which broke out just before the meeting, prevented his taking a seat there. By virtue of that election, however, he became a member of the convention that organized the State government of Virginia at Wheeling---11 Jun 1861. This body authorized the formation of the new State of West Virginia. He was chairman of the committee that was appointed to draft an ordinance for the formation of the new state and the ordinance was mainly drawn by him; the State of West Virginia was admitted to the Union. He served in the Senate of the new State for seven years and presided over the Senate two years. During his presidency in 1869, on the election of Gov. A. J. Borgman to the U.S. Senate, he became Governor of the State for the remainder of his term--February 27, 1869, to March 3, 1869. He rendered invaluable service to the country during the War of the Rebellion, as it was largely due to his influence that West Virginia became an organized power for the defense of the Union. Sources: Farnsworth Memorial II and Prominent Men of West Virginia Daniel's 3rd cousin twice removed, Horace Griggs Prall, became Governor of New Jersey in a similar fashion. |
| Daniel Duane Thompkins Farnsworth Acting Governor of West Virginia |