Farnam and Sheffield first attempted a rail line between New Haven and New York City. The two went on to take over and complete a struggling railroad making its way across southern Michigan toward Chicago. They then built the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, envisioned as the first link in a line to the West Coast. A key part of this link was a bridge across the Mississippi River, strongly opposed by steamboat operators. Abraham Lincoln was brought in as a lawyer to combat this opposition. For many years this bridge was the only one across the Mississippi south of St. Paul.
Farnam and Sheffield first attempted a rail line between New Haven and New York City. The two went on to take over and complete a struggling railroad making its way across southern Michigan toward Chicago. They then built the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, envisioned as the first link in a line to the West Coast. A key part of this link was a bridge across the Mississippi River, strongly opposed by steamboat operators. Abraham Lincoln was brought in as a lawyer to combat this opposition. For many years this bridge was the only one across the Mississippi south of St. Paul.
Bio by: Carolyn Farnum
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