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Farmer, Moses Gerrish 1820-1893

Electrician; born in Boscawen, N. H., Feb. 9, 1820; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1844; taught in Elliot, Me., and in Dover, N. H., for two years. During his leisure hours while in Dover he invented several forms of electro-motors, one of which he used in his experimental workshop to drive a vertical lathe, and the other was used on a miniature railway. Both motors were originally designed to illustrate his lectures. He demonstrated that the electrical current could be used for discharging torpedoes and in submarine blasting. On his miniature railway he transported by electricity the first passengers ever so carried in the United States. In 1847 he moved to Framingham, Mass., and invented the telegraph fire-alarm. In 1865 he invented a thermo-electric battery and also built the first dynamo machine. In 1880 he patented an automatic electric-light system. Besides these inventions he brought to light and perfected many others. He is considered one of the pioneers in electricity. He died in Chicago, Ill., May 25, 1893.

Harper and Brothers Publishers. . New York. 1902.

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