Nelson McFarren’s biography, Watertown Township, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb 
Archives.  

 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
Page 151
NELSON McFARREN
Nelson McFarren, living on section 10, Bath township, was born on a farm in 
Washtenaw County, Michigan, May 25, 1852, and is a son of John McFarren, a native 
of New York and a brother of Clarence McFarren, whose history appears on another
page of this work. When a youth of fifteen years Nelson McFarren came to this 
county and assisted his father in clearing and opening up a farm, thus developing 
the homestead place which in course of time became one of the best farming 
properties of the community. On attaining his majority, however, he left home and 
started out in life for himself, soon after purchasing forty acres of land on 
which he now resides. With characteristic energy he began to clear and fence this 
and to make the place a productive tract that would crown his labors with success. 
His hope of winning a competence was realized and in the course of years his 
financial resources justified the purchase of another forty-acre tract. This he 
also cleared grubbed out the stumps and cut down the trees and now there is a good 
orchard where once stood forest trees, and other portions of the farm are
covered by fields of waving grain. He has built a big basement barn and added 
other buildings and his farm is indeed a well-improved property.

In March, 1883, occurred the marriage of Nelson McFarren and Miss Ada Saxton, a 
native of Oakland County, Michigan, and a daughter of J. B. Saxton, who was born 
in New York and came to this state at an early age, establishing his home in 
Clinton County. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. McFarren are three children: Floyd 
and Harry, who aid in carrying on the home farm; and Esther, who is likewise with 
her parents.

Mr. McFarren has been called to some local offices, having been elected and served 
as highway commissioner, but his ambitions and aspirations are not in this line. 
In his political views he is independent, supporting the candidate rather than the
party. His attention is given to his farm work and he has made a specialty of the 
breeding and raising of mules and has raised and sold some very valuable animals. 
His entire life has been passed in Michigan, for he was reared in Clinton County 
and has ever been known as a man of unfaltering industry, whose farm shows the 
labor and care that he has bestowed upon it. Fair and just in all his dealing and 
reliable in his business transactions, his genuine worth is widely acknowledged by 
those who know him.

dz