McFarland, John

MCFARLAND, YAZEL, DUCKETT, ADAMS

Posted By: Sharon Johnson (email)
Date: 1/21/2007 at 15:04:29

Published in 1888
John McFarland, section 19, Hamilton Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Champaign County, December 17, 1830, a son of James and Rebecca (Yazel) McFarland, natives of Ohio. They accompanied their son to Iowa in 1855, and the mother died here the following winter and the father in October, 1866. John McFarland was reared a farmer, remaining in his native State until 1849, when he moved to McLean County, Illinois, and thence to Hamilton County, Iowa, in September, 1855,and in 1856 located on the land which is now his homestead. At that time it was a tract of wild land, and has been by him improved and converted into a productive farm, and the building improvements are substantial and commodious. He first bought forty acres, but to this has added until he now owns 400 acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He planted a grove of cottonwood trees in 1858, and it is now a great addition to his place. Mr. McFarland was married May 25, 1856, to Martha Duckett, a native of McLean County, Illinois, daughter of James and Martha (Adams) Duckett, her father a native of South Carolina and her mother of Virginia. They now live in Hamilton County, Iowa, making their home with their children. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have had seven children, six of whom are living - George Thomas, William Fletcher, Martha Rebecca, Permelia Jane, John Henry and Clarrissa Elizabeth. All are married and away from home except the youngest son, who works the farm for his father. One son Lennie Franklin, died August 24, 1879. In Politics Mr. McFarland is independent. He has served nine years as road supervisor and three years as a member of the school board. He is one of the self-made men of the township. Starting in life with no means he ahs by energy and good management acquired a good property, and is now one of the substantial men of the township. His first home was a cabin mad of round logs, with a clap-board roof; no floor, nor door, nor window. Their table was a board fastened to the wall, their chairs two stools made out of slabs, and their bed-stead was built in one corner of the room of rough plank, with but one leg. They did not even have a tick for the straw, but spread it out on the plank. Into this house the young couple moved June 24, 1856, and here they began together to make for themselves a home, and how well they have succeeded is seen by a visit to their pleasant homestead and acfcepting the hospitality that is always awaiting the guest, stranger and friend, making them feel at home and assuring them that now as in the early days, their latch-string is always out.

Source: Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa (1888), pg. 294.