McFarland, Edwin H; 1905 Bio, Routt County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/mcfrldeh.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Edwin H. McFarland Edwin H. McFarland, one of the early settlers and now one of the leading ranchmen in the neighborhood of Yampa, Routt county, was born near Darlington, Fayette county, Wisconsin, on January 24, 1857, and is the son of John and Sarah A. (McKee) McFarland, natives of Kentucky, whose final earthly home was in Iowa, whither they moved in 1864. The father was a successful merchant and farmer, a zealous Democrat in politics and an active Odd Fellow in fraternal life. They had nine children, of whom two, Emma and Jennie, died, and Robert A., Samuel B., William P., Edwin H., John B., Charles N. and Mrs. David Bartlett are living. The parents were Methodists. The mother died in 1890 and the father in 1902. Edwin remained at home and assisted his parents until he reached his legal majority, then in 1878 began life for himself as a farmer and stock-grower. He had received a limited common school education, but was further prepared for the battle of life by a thorough knowledge of farming acquired on his father's farm and under the instruction of that estimable and progressive man. His farming operations in 1878 and1879 were not profitable owing to the prevalence of hog cholera, which destroyed his stock, and the ravages of the chinch bug, which destroyed his crops. In 1880 he moved to Colorado and located at Breckenridge, where he devoted his energies to prospecting and mining with but little capital but fair success. This he continued until 1883, when he moved to his present location in company with nine other colonists. These men were all good friends, and determined to decide a friendly rivalry for the choice of ranch lands by a game of cards. Mr. McFarland's location thus secured was one of the best. He has added to his original entry until he now owns, together with his wife, eight hundred and eighty acres of tillable land, with a plentiful supply of water, his being the second right on the creek, and is also the sole owner of the Roberta reservoir. Here he carries on an extensive ranching and cattle industry, hay and cattle being his staples, and grain and vegetables being produced in abundance. His improvements are good, his land is well cultivated, his cattle industry is vigorously managed and every element of profit in his work is made serviceable. The ranch is ten miles south of Yampa, and is widely known as one of the most desirable in that neighborhood. Mr. McFarland is essentially a self-made man and his standing and prosperity are the results of his own native force and industry. He is popular throughout the county, always winning and holding friends by his sterling worth and pleasant manner, and receiving general commendation for his progressiveness and enlightened public spirit. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows, and in political relations he is a stanch Democrat. On October 28, 1902, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Alice Wilson, a native of Oak county, Missouri, at the time a widow with two children, James and Roberta Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have two children, their son Don C. having been an early settler in this region, and Fanny A. Mr. McFarland has always been earnestly devoted to its best interests and has given freely of his time and energy to promote them, actively engaging in all commendable undertakings for the development and advancement of the section, and aiding ever in arousing public sentiment in this behalf. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.