The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Farnell, Hon. James Squire
Farnell, Hon. James Squire, was born in 1827 at Parramatta, N.S.W. In 1859 he was elected to the Assembly for St. Leonard's, and in the following year for Parramatta. Subsequently he again sat for St. Leonard's. Having acted for some time as Chairman of Committees, he was Secretary for Lands in the Parkes Government from May 1872 to Feb. 1875. In Dec 1877, on the defeat of Sir John Robertson, he became Premier of the colony of New South Wales, with the portfolio of Minister of Lands. Failing, however, to carry his Land Bill, he resigned in Dec. 1878. He was again Secretary for Lands in the Stuart Government from Jan. 1883 to Oct. 1885, and was appointed Minister of Justice in the Dibbs Ministry which followed, but he almost immediately resigned. Mr. Farnell, who was first Grand Master of the New South Wales Constitution of Freemasons, died on August 21st, 1888.