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Alexander McFarlane

Alexander McFarlane, who is engaged in farming on section 13, Scott Township, has been a resident of this county throughout the years of his manhood covering a period of more than a third of a century. He is of Scottish birth and a son of Daniel McFarlane, who will be remembered by many of the citizens of this community. His father was born and reared in Scotland and about 1833 was united in marriage with Miss Nancy McFarlane, who, though of the same name was no relation. They spent the first eleven years of their married life on the British Isles and in 1844, accompanied by five children, crossed the Atlantic to the new world. They settled in Lower Canada on the St. Lawrence River, about sixty miles above Montreal, whence they came in 1856 to Fayette County, Iowa, locating upon a farm which is now the home of our subject. It was then wild and unimproved and the entire country seemed but just opening to civilization. They lived, however, to see a great change take place and in its upbuilding and development bore their share. Mr. McFarlane was an honest and industrious farmer and his death which occurred March 10, 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, was the occasion of deep regret on the part of many friends. His wife died September 12, 1878, at the age of sixty-four years and seven months. For many years they were members of the Presbyterian Church but in later life Mrs. McFarlane united with the Baptist Church. He always voted with the Republican party but never took an active part in political affairs. Their children are as follows: Daniel, who is a captain of a vessel on the great lakes and makes his home in Detroit, Mich.; Alex, of this sketch; Archie, who was also a captain on the lakes and died in 1870; Mrs. Mary Silling of Scott Township; Parley, who served in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and also follows the water; Peter, who served in the same regiment, and engaged in the same occupation, but for the past two years has made his home in Buffalo, N. Y.; Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford of Spokane Falls, Wash.; John a resident farmer of Fairfield Township; James and George twins, the former a resident of Buffalo, N. Y., and the latter of Chicago, Ill.

Our subject was seven years of age when with his parents he crossed the ocean to Canada, where he remained until eighteen years old, when he began life for himself. Leaving the parental roof he went to Rock County, Wis., where for a time he worked as a farm hand. It was there he met his wife whose maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Addie. The marriage was celebrated September 17, 1858, and for five years they continued to reside in Wisconsin, when in 1863 they determined to try their fortune in Iowa. In a log house upon eighty acres of land they here began life. Their pioneer home is still standing, one of the few landmarks of that early day yet remaining. Prosperity has blessed his industrious efforts and he is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, whose richly cultivated fields pay to him a golden tribute. He has a comfortable home and many improvements and is now ranked among the substantial citizens of Scott Township.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane has been blessed with eight children and though some have left the parental roof, all are living near home. Daniel, married Miss Amine Lambert, and is living in Scott Township; John married Amber Tromblee, and makes his home in Strawberry Point; Margaret is the wife of Allen W. Miller, and they too reside in Scott Township; Parley, who married Leona McLean is living in Clayton County; Nancy, William, Bertha E. and Alice May are still under the parental roof.

Mr. McFarlane is independent in his political views, holding himself free to vote for whoever or whatever he wishes. He cast his first Presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln and was a Republican until 1876 when not wishing to support Hayes he voted with the Greenback party. Since that time he has generally affiliated with the Democratic party. For twenty-seven years he has been identified with the history of Fayette County and always with its best interests. He is an influential citizen and his power over others he uses for the benefit of any object or enterprise which will promote the general welfare."