ROBERT McFARLAND

MCFARLAND, FISHBACK, CASS, DOUGLAS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/14/2020 at 15:31:36

ROBERT McFARLAND, - Robert McFarland was born on the 19th of October, 1818, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was the youngest of eight children whose parents were Wm. McFarland and Elizabeth Fishback. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of Virginia. His father was a tanner and in moderate circumstances in life, and gave his children a fair common school education. His parents moved to Ohio in 1822 and settled in Williamsport, Pickaway County, where they remained till their death. In 1839, Mr. McFarland came to Iowa, and landed in Fort Madison on the fourth day of November. He was at this time in his twenty-first year. He immediately began employment as a tailor, and remained at that avocation for ten years. In this year, 1849, he was elected clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, whose duties he faithfully and earnestly discharged for a period of two years. In 1851, he 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, which employed his main attention up to the first of March, 1872. In this year, he retired from particular duties of a mercantile nature. Mr. McFarland started in life poor, and well understands the value of self-acquired experience and property. It may be in taste here to observe that 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 is a man who 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 was reelected after the expiration of his first term. In politics he is a strong democrat; voted first 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, he is rather disposed to take his stand with the Universalists. He believes that real Christianity will advance in the world just in proportion as the real character of our Saviour 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 to-day enjoying good health, and that prosperity and contentment that those who have devoted a lifetime to industry and integrity have a right to expect.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer