Roswell Farnham graduated from the University of Vermont in 1849 and earned a master's degree two years later. He taught at several institutions before studying law and being admitted to the Orange County Bar in 1857. Farnham served in the Civil War, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and later held the position of states attorney. He was elected to the Vermont State Senate and served as Governor, focusing on school and prison reform and encouraging manufacturing businesses to relocate to Vermont.

Roswell Farnham's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of educational and industrial advocacy, underpinned by his military experience. His tenure as Governor of Vermont reveals a focus on both school and prison reform, suggesting a nuanced approach to governance. Notably, Farnham's encouragement of manufacturing businesses to relocate to Vermont reveals a strategic economic vision, possibly prioritizing regional industrial growth over other considerations. His military background adds a layer of experience that may inform his policy decisions, creating a unique intersection of civic duty and political strategy.