Jane Neilson (Hannay) McFarlan (1825-1902)

HANNAY, MCFARLAN, NELSON, CLARK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/29/2024 at 17:11:28

From Story City Herald November 14, 1902 (page 5)

OBITUARY

Mrs. John A. McFarlan was born in Dumfries, Wigonshire, Scotland, January 19, 1825. She died October 29, 1902, at her home northwest of Gilbert, at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 10 days.

She was married February 5, 1852 at Mariaville, Schenectady county, New York, to J. A. McFarlan. Their golden wedding was celebrated this year. Eight children were born into this family, three of whom, sons, preceded their mother to the grave. The remaining children are Neil, a banker of Westfield, Iowa; Sarah Elizabeth, Mrs. W. H. Nelson, of Ames; C. Parl, of Gilbert; Scott, a physician, formerly of Sedalia, Missouri, but now in Arizona for his health; and Mamie, Mrs. D. C. B. Clark, of Ogden.

The deceased is well known in Story county, the family having settled here as early as March 4, 1858. She was reared in the Reformed Presbyterian church and spent her life in the service of Christ. She took an active interest in Christian work, was a member of Rev. A. A. Baker's Bible class of the Congregational church, of Ames, in the early 70's, and was herself for many years a Sunday school teacher. For many years in the early days Brother and Sister McFarlan drove regularly to Ames to attend church, a ride of twenty miles. Since the organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Gilbert, she has been one of its loyal members.

The last five years of her life were spent as an invalid in her own home. Much of that time she had required the constant care of her faithful husband. Wednesday morning she awoke apparently well as usual. She was dressed and assisted to sit up. A slight noise from her room called the family in. She was sleeping. Tenderly they laid her upon her bed. It was the sleep of death. In a few minutes her spirit had gone. Thus quietly, peacefully did she obey the summons to come home.

Another of the pioneers is gone. Another sheaf rich with golden grain has been gathered into the garner. She will be missed. A large circle of her friends who respected and loved her sorrow for her. Her own family who breathed in the sweet incense of her Christian life, her companion of over half a century, who was so necessary to her, grieve for her because she is gone and will not return. To have spent a long life in the Master's service, to have fulfilled a noble ministry in the home in the community, to have assisted in making this a Christian state, so have exemplified the Christian faith and to have manifested the graces of the spirit, what attainments, what achievements are these? This is our legacy and her reward is heaven.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Seccombe in the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Gilbert Friday afternoon. A large number of friends was present.