Progressive Men of Montana,' 1901, A. W. Bowen & Co., page 293-4 (edited):
William T. McFarland is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born on the 22d of May, 1842, being a son of Dr. Joel B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) McFarland, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Dr. McFarland was long engaged in the practice of medicine in Ohio and Indiana, was known and honored as an able physician and a man of unbending rectitude, his death occurring in 1861 in Indiana. He was a member of the constitutional convention of the Hoosier state in 1850, was very prominent in public affairs, and one of the cornerstones of the Abolition party of the northwest. William T. McFarland and Mrs. M. B. Child, of Helena, are the only representatives of the family in Montana, whither his mother and her two sons came in 1867. The brother, Demas L. McFarland, is now dead, losing his life by suffocation in a burning cabin at Round Up on the Musselshell river.
William was reared and educated in Indiana, where the family maintained its home until 1867, when the widowed mother came with her two sons to Montana. The trip was made by boat up the Missouri river from St. Louis to Fort Benton. Here the mother passed the residue of her life, her death occurring in 1886. Mr. McFarland began the active duties of life as a freighter between Helena and Fort Benton, but his initial first trip between these places in this capacity was also his final one. He made his home in or near Helena until 1882. In 1868 he was engaged by the government to assist in the surveying of the state, and was thus employed until 1880. Two years later he came to Fergus county in the employ of the Montana Sheep Company, and was located for some time in the Flatwillow section of the county. He finally removed to Maiden, and thereafter devoted his attention to surveying and to the occasional practice of law, for as there was only one other lawyer in the place at that time he was forced at times to appear and help as he could those in difficulties. He took up his abode in Lewistown in 1890 and he has since made that enterprising city his home. He first visited Fergus county in 1875, being then with his brother, who had a contract of government surveys. It is worthy to note that Mr. McFarland still devotes more or less attention to work in the line of surveying, in which he has wide experience. His technical knowledge has also caused him to receive the appointment of deputy United States mineral surveyor. He is well known throughout the county and has a wide circle of friends. His bachelor "den" and office in Lewistown is finished in natural wood, and it is at once a music parlor, museum and library, as well as office and dwelling.
Mr. McFarland has been a life-long Republican and is a stanch supporter of the party. After locating in Lewistown he served for six years in the office of justice of the peace, and is still holding that office. He feels proud of the fact that, in the last approval of the bond by the district judge, that official in his letter of transmittal, called attention to the fact that during the past six years in all of the appeals to the district court from his justice's court, Mr. McFarland's decisions had been never overruled, either by the court or when tried by a jury. In November of 1863 he was a passenger on the steamer Sunnyside on the Mississippi river, which burned, claiming forty-five lives. He saved a young girl and helped in the rescue of an old man by swimming them to the shore.
~~
'Fergus County Democrat,' Lewistown, MT
30 December 1913, Image 1:
Judge William T. McFarland died at Warm Springs last Wednesday morning and, while the news of his passing did not cause surprise, as messages had been received stating that he was suffering from heart trouble, it caused much sorrow. The body was brought to this city and the funeral was held Saturday morning from Creel's undertaking parlors, under the auspices of the volunteer fire department, the deceased having been among the first officers of that organization when it was started in 1898. Rev. Ernest W. Wright, of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. A. Pfaus, conducted the services, which were attended by many old-time residents. Judge McFarland came to Montana in the '60s as a surveyor and before there was any settlement in the Judith basin came through here with a government survey party. He was at Maiden during the palmy days of that camp and later located in Lewistown and surveyed a portion of the townsite. For many years he held the position of justice of the peace here, and was filling that office when his reason became clouded. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Raush, who resides in Texas, and two nieces in Helena. The judge owned two lots on Fourth avenue, which he secured in the early days, and which have now become valuable business property. During the years he has been at the mental hospital his friend, O. W. Belden, has looked after his property interests and has kept them intact.
Contributor: RunninonMT (49509864)
William T. McFarland is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born on the 22d of May, 1842, being a son of Dr. Joel B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) McFarland, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Dr. McFarland was long engaged in the practice of medicine in Ohio and Indiana, was known and honored as an able physician and a man of unbending rectitude, his death occurring in 1861 in Indiana. He was a member of the constitutional convention of the Hoosier state in 1850, was very prominent in public affairs, and one of the cornerstones of the Abolition party of the northwest. William T. McFarland and Mrs. M. B. Child, of Helena, are the only representatives of the family in Montana, whither his mother and her two sons came in 1867. The brother, Demas L. McFarland, is now dead, losing his life by suffocation in a burning cabin at Round Up on the Musselshell river.
William was reared and educated in Indiana, where the family maintained its home until 1867, when the widowed mother came with her two sons to Montana. The trip was made by boat up the Missouri river from St. Louis to Fort Benton. Here the mother passed the residue of her life, her death occurring in 1886. Mr. McFarland began the active duties of life as a freighter between Helena and Fort Benton, but his initial first trip between these places in this capacity was also his final one. He made his home in or near Helena until 1882. In 1868 he was engaged by the government to assist in the surveying of the state, and was thus employed until 1880. Two years later he came to Fergus county in the employ of the Montana Sheep Company, and was located for some time in the Flatwillow section of the county. He finally removed to Maiden, and thereafter devoted his attention to surveying and to the occasional practice of law, for as there was only one other lawyer in the place at that time he was forced at times to appear and help as he could those in difficulties. He took up his abode in Lewistown in 1890 and he has since made that enterprising city his home. He first visited Fergus county in 1875, being then with his brother, who had a contract of government surveys. It is worthy to note that Mr. McFarland still devotes more or less attention to work in the line of surveying, in which he has wide experience. His technical knowledge has also caused him to receive the appointment of deputy United States mineral surveyor. He is well known throughout the county and has a wide circle of friends. His bachelor "den" and office in Lewistown is finished in natural wood, and it is at once a music parlor, museum and library, as well as office and dwelling.
Mr. McFarland has been a life-long Republican and is a stanch supporter of the party. After locating in Lewistown he served for six years in the office of justice of the peace, and is still holding that office. He feels proud of the fact that, in the last approval of the bond by the district judge, that official in his letter of transmittal, called attention to the fact that during the past six years in all of the appeals to the district court from his justice's court, Mr. McFarland's decisions had been never overruled, either by the court or when tried by a jury. In November of 1863 he was a passenger on the steamer Sunnyside on the Mississippi river, which burned, claiming forty-five lives. He saved a young girl and helped in the rescue of an old man by swimming them to the shore.
~~
'Fergus County Democrat,' Lewistown, MT
30 December 1913, Image 1:
Judge William T. McFarland died at Warm Springs last Wednesday morning and, while the news of his passing did not cause surprise, as messages had been received stating that he was suffering from heart trouble, it caused much sorrow. The body was brought to this city and the funeral was held Saturday morning from Creel's undertaking parlors, under the auspices of the volunteer fire department, the deceased having been among the first officers of that organization when it was started in 1898. Rev. Ernest W. Wright, of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. A. Pfaus, conducted the services, which were attended by many old-time residents. Judge McFarland came to Montana in the '60s as a surveyor and before there was any settlement in the Judith basin came through here with a government survey party. He was at Maiden during the palmy days of that camp and later located in Lewistown and surveyed a portion of the townsite. For many years he held the position of justice of the peace here, and was filling that office when his reason became clouded. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Raush, who resides in Texas, and two nieces in Helena. The judge owned two lots on Fourth avenue, which he secured in the early days, and which have now become valuable business property. During the years he has been at the mental hospital his friend, O. W. Belden, has looked after his property interests and has kept them intact.
Contributor: RunninonMT (49509864)
Progressive Men of Montana,' 1901, A. W. Bowen & Co., page 293-4 (edited):
William T. McFarland is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born on the 22d of May, 1842, being a son of Dr. Joel B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) McFarland, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Dr. McFarland was long engaged in the practice of medicine in Ohio and Indiana, was known and honored as an able physician and a man of unbending rectitude, his death occurring in 1861 in Indiana. He was a member of the constitutional convention of the Hoosier state in 1850, was very prominent in public affairs, and one of the cornerstones of the Abolition party of the northwest. William T. McFarland and Mrs. M. B. Child, of Helena, are the only representatives of the family in Montana, whither his mother and her two sons came in 1867. The brother, Demas L. McFarland, is now dead, losing his life by suffocation in a burning cabin at Round Up on the Musselshell river.
William was reared and educated in Indiana, where the family maintained its home until 1867, when the widowed mother came with her two sons to Montana. The trip was made by boat up the Missouri river from St. Louis to Fort Benton. Here the mother passed the residue of her life, her death occurring in 1886. Mr. McFarland began the active duties of life as a freighter between Helena and Fort Benton, but his initial first trip between these places in this capacity was also his final one. He made his home in or near Helena until 1882. In 1868 he was engaged by the government to assist in the surveying of the state, and was thus employed until 1880. Two years later he came to Fergus county in the employ of the Montana Sheep Company, and was located for some time in the Flatwillow section of the county. He finally removed to Maiden, and thereafter devoted his attention to surveying and to the occasional practice of law, for as there was only one other lawyer in the place at that time he was forced at times to appear and help as he could those in difficulties. He took up his abode in Lewistown in 1890 and he has since made that enterprising city his home. He first visited Fergus county in 1875, being then with his brother, who had a contract of government surveys. It is worthy to note that Mr. McFarland still devotes more or less attention to work in the line of surveying, in which he has wide experience. His technical knowledge has also caused him to receive the appointment of deputy United States mineral surveyor. He is well known throughout the county and has a wide circle of friends. His bachelor "den" and office in Lewistown is finished in natural wood, and it is at once a music parlor, museum and library, as well as office and dwelling.
Mr. McFarland has been a life-long Republican and is a stanch supporter of the party. After locating in Lewistown he served for six years in the office of justice of the peace, and is still holding that office. He feels proud of the fact that, in the last approval of the bond by the district judge, that official in his letter of transmittal, called attention to the fact that during the past six years in all of the appeals to the district court from his justice's court, Mr. McFarland's decisions had been never overruled, either by the court or when tried by a jury. In November of 1863 he was a passenger on the steamer Sunnyside on the Mississippi river, which burned, claiming forty-five lives. He saved a young girl and helped in the rescue of an old man by swimming them to the shore.
~~
'Fergus County Democrat,' Lewistown, MT
30 December 1913, Image 1:
Judge William T. McFarland died at Warm Springs last Wednesday morning and, while the news of his passing did not cause surprise, as messages had been received stating that he was suffering from heart trouble, it caused much sorrow. The body was brought to this city and the funeral was held Saturday morning from Creel's undertaking parlors, under the auspices of the volunteer fire department, the deceased having been among the first officers of that organization when it was started in 1898. Rev. Ernest W. Wright, of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. A. Pfaus, conducted the services, which were attended by many old-time residents. Judge McFarland came to Montana in the '60s as a surveyor and before there was any settlement in the Judith basin came through here with a government survey party. He was at Maiden during the palmy days of that camp and later located in Lewistown and surveyed a portion of the townsite. For many years he held the position of justice of the peace here, and was filling that office when his reason became clouded. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Raush, who resides in Texas, and two nieces in Helena. The judge owned two lots on Fourth avenue, which he secured in the early days, and which have now become valuable business property. During the years he has been at the mental hospital his friend, O. W. Belden, has looked after his property interests and has kept them intact.
Contributor: RunninonMT (49509864)
William T. McFarland is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born on the 22d of May, 1842, being a son of Dr. Joel B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) McFarland, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Dr. McFarland was long engaged in the practice of medicine in Ohio and Indiana, was known and honored as an able physician and a man of unbending rectitude, his death occurring in 1861 in Indiana. He was a member of the constitutional convention of the Hoosier state in 1850, was very prominent in public affairs, and one of the cornerstones of the Abolition party of the northwest. William T. McFarland and Mrs. M. B. Child, of Helena, are the only representatives of the family in Montana, whither his mother and her two sons came in 1867. The brother, Demas L. McFarland, is now dead, losing his life by suffocation in a burning cabin at Round Up on the Musselshell river.
William was reared and educated in Indiana, where the family maintained its home until 1867, when the widowed mother came with her two sons to Montana. The trip was made by boat up the Missouri river from St. Louis to Fort Benton. Here the mother passed the residue of her life, her death occurring in 1886. Mr. McFarland began the active duties of life as a freighter between Helena and Fort Benton, but his initial first trip between these places in this capacity was also his final one. He made his home in or near Helena until 1882. In 1868 he was engaged by the government to assist in the surveying of the state, and was thus employed until 1880. Two years later he came to Fergus county in the employ of the Montana Sheep Company, and was located for some time in the Flatwillow section of the county. He finally removed to Maiden, and thereafter devoted his attention to surveying and to the occasional practice of law, for as there was only one other lawyer in the place at that time he was forced at times to appear and help as he could those in difficulties. He took up his abode in Lewistown in 1890 and he has since made that enterprising city his home. He first visited Fergus county in 1875, being then with his brother, who had a contract of government surveys. It is worthy to note that Mr. McFarland still devotes more or less attention to work in the line of surveying, in which he has wide experience. His technical knowledge has also caused him to receive the appointment of deputy United States mineral surveyor. He is well known throughout the county and has a wide circle of friends. His bachelor "den" and office in Lewistown is finished in natural wood, and it is at once a music parlor, museum and library, as well as office and dwelling.
Mr. McFarland has been a life-long Republican and is a stanch supporter of the party. After locating in Lewistown he served for six years in the office of justice of the peace, and is still holding that office. He feels proud of the fact that, in the last approval of the bond by the district judge, that official in his letter of transmittal, called attention to the fact that during the past six years in all of the appeals to the district court from his justice's court, Mr. McFarland's decisions had been never overruled, either by the court or when tried by a jury. In November of 1863 he was a passenger on the steamer Sunnyside on the Mississippi river, which burned, claiming forty-five lives. He saved a young girl and helped in the rescue of an old man by swimming them to the shore.
~~
'Fergus County Democrat,' Lewistown, MT
30 December 1913, Image 1:
Judge William T. McFarland died at Warm Springs last Wednesday morning and, while the news of his passing did not cause surprise, as messages had been received stating that he was suffering from heart trouble, it caused much sorrow. The body was brought to this city and the funeral was held Saturday morning from Creel's undertaking parlors, under the auspices of the volunteer fire department, the deceased having been among the first officers of that organization when it was started in 1898. Rev. Ernest W. Wright, of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. A. Pfaus, conducted the services, which were attended by many old-time residents. Judge McFarland came to Montana in the '60s as a surveyor and before there was any settlement in the Judith basin came through here with a government survey party. He was at Maiden during the palmy days of that camp and later located in Lewistown and surveyed a portion of the townsite. For many years he held the position of justice of the peace here, and was filling that office when his reason became clouded. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Raush, who resides in Texas, and two nieces in Helena. The judge owned two lots on Fourth avenue, which he secured in the early days, and which have now become valuable business property. During the years he has been at the mental hospital his friend, O. W. Belden, has looked after his property interests and has kept them intact.
Contributor: RunninonMT (49509864)
Inscription
W. J. McFARLAND
1842 - 1913
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
