McFARLAND, ROBERT

MCFARLAND, FISHBACK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/12/2019 at 21:46:16

MADISON TOWNSHIP.
P. O. FORT MADISON

McFARLAND, ROBERT, retired; was born on the 19th of October, 1818, in Westmoreland Co., Penn. ; was the youngest of eight children, whose parents were William McFarland and Elizabeth, nee Fishback. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Virginia ; his father was a tanner, and in moderate circumstances; he gave his children a fair common-school education ; his parents moved to Ohio in 1822, and settled in Williamsport, Pickaway Co., where they remained until their death. Nov. 4, 1839, Mr. McFarland came to Fort Madison, then in his 21st year; engaged as a tailor, and remained at that vocation for ten years. In 1849, he was elected Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, whose duties he faithfully and earnestly discharged for two years; in 1857, was elected Recorder, Treasurer and Collector of the county, and held various public offices until 1860. In 1862, after a vacation from active pursuits of about two years, he went into the drug business; March 1, 1872, he retired from practical duties of a mercantile nature. Mr. McFarland started in life poor, and well understood the value of self-acquired experience and property ; in the battle of life, he has never been without good friends and good health. While his early education was somewhat limited, and his attention and efforts in life have been engrossed with the demands of active business, he has yet found time to read and reflect; he has always been a close reader and keen observer, and his memory is very retentive. In 1856, he was elected Mayor of Fort Madison, and re-elected after the expiration of his first term. In politics, he is a strong Democrat ; voted for Gen. Cass, and for Judge Douglas, on account of his admiration for him as the proper exponent of Democracy at the commencement of the civil war ; he thinks to-day that the issues of the hour demand the formation of a party whose action will be against monopolies and corruption. In religion, is disposed to take his stand with the Universalists, and believes that real Christianity will advance in the world in proportion as the real character of our Savior and His mission on earth are understood, Mr. McFarland may be rightly termed the shrewd business man, whose public spirit is ready at all times to advance, the interests of his fellow-beings. We find him today enjoying good health, and in that prosperity and contentment which those who have devoted a life-time to industry and integrity have a right to expect.

Source: BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY IOWA
CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY, 1879

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1879