Farson, John H. (b. 1837-1895), doctor, Laurens, was a native of West Virginia, the son of William and Susan C. Farson. At eighteen he moved with his parents to Madison county, Iowa. After completing the common school course he pursued his education as a private student. In 1863 he was drafted and served until the close of the civil war, as a member of Co. I, 15th Iowa. During this period he served considerable time as a nurse and often performed the duties of the chaplain. He possessed considerable natural ability, and, after the war, engaged in the practice of medicine in Madison county. In 1884 he located in the new town of Laurens and continued the practice of medicine until his death at 58 in 1895. He was affable and pleasing in his manners and was highly esteemed by those who knew him.
In 1859 he married Susan Kesler, who died leaving two children, John Wesley, a carpenter, who in 1884 married Nancy O. Clanton, and lives at Laurens; and Elizabeth Ann, who in 1880 married Stephen Clanton, a farmer, Laurens. In 1892, Dr. Farson married Louisa Bradshaw, who, with one daughter, Florence, survives him and lives at Laurens.
SOURCE: Robert E. Flickinger, The Pioneer History Of Pocahontas County, Iowa, p. 778-9
