McFARLAND BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== McFARLAND, Albert W. - b: 1878 near Blairstown, Henry Co, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 707 residence: Big Creek Twp Albert W. McFarland, a prominent farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Henry County, whose residence in Missouri dates back to territorial date. Albert W. McFarland was born in Henry County, six miles southeast of where Blairstown now stands February 4, 1878. He is a son of William J. and Mary E. (Mitchell) McFarland. William J. McFarland was born in Moniteau County, Missouri, September 26, 1834, and died December 21, 1893. His wife, Mary E. (Mitchell) McFarland, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, December 25, 1843, and died May 12, 1913. William J. McFarland was a soldier in the Confederate army, serving under Gen. Sterling Price. He came to Henry County in the fall of 1867 and settled in Big Creek township, where he first purchased 160 acres of land and became one of the successful farmers of Henry County. At the time of his death he was the owner of about 600 acres. William J. McFarland was a son of Jesse McFarland, who came to Missouri in 1809, and was here during the time of the disastrous earthquake in 1811. Jesse McFarland was a son of Jacob McFarland, who was a member of the first territorial legislature of Missouri. He died in Moniteau County. Jesse McFarland was the first sheriff of Cooper County, Missouri. He also was the first Government surveyor of what later became Rives County, receiving his appointment in 1821, when he was twenty- one years of age. He died at Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Albert W. McFarland received his education in the public schools of Henry County and the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri. Later he attended the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, where he was graduated in the class of 1906. He then returned to Henry County, where he has since been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of Henry County. His farm consists of 300 acres of valuable farm land, which is well improved. Mr. McFarland was united in marriage July 24, 1901, with Miss Hattie Woodruff, a daughter of R. B. and Rosa (Young) Woodruff, pioneers of Johnson County, Missouri. The Woodruff family came to Henry County forty-five years ago and now reside in Big Creek township. Mrs. McFarland has two brothers: John D. and Edgar, both residing at home with their parents. To Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have been born eight children, as follow: Augusta L., Inga, Courtney L., Ruth V., Mattie M., William J., Olive M. and Douglass W. Mr. McFarland takes an active interest in public affairs and is one of the progressive and capable citizens of Big Creek township. He has held local office at various times and was president of the first high school board of the consolidated district, and is a member of that board now. He is also president of the township board. ==================================================================== McFARLAND, William J. - b: 1834 Cooper Co, MO source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 705 residence: Big Creek Twp William J. McFarland, section 2, is a prominent farmer and stock dealer, of this township, and was born in Cooper County, Missouri, September 26, 1834. Jesse McFarland, his father, a native of North Carolina, was born April 17, 1800. He removed to Missouri with his parents in 1811, and in 1816 located in Cooper County, and was among the earliest settlers of Missouri. He grew to manhood in Cooper County and married Ann McFarland, a distant relative. The former was a farmer and mechanic and also a surveyor by occupation and when nineteen years old he assisted in the surveying of Rives County, and held several local offices in the county. He now resides at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and celebrated his sixtieth wedding anniversary January 7, 1880. W. J. McFarland spent his youth on a farm in Cooper County and received a common school education. He was married there October 10, 1865, to Miss M. E. Mitchel, also of Cooper County, and a daughter of William J. Mitchel. They have three children: Edith L., Clarence W. and Albert W. After his marriage Mr. McFarland resided about two years in Cooper County and then removed to Henry County, buying land and improving the farm where he now resides. He has 355 acres, with 320 in good cultivation and under improvements, with an orchard of 100 choice bearing apple trees and a variety of other fruits. Mr. McFarland makes a specialty of raising and handling stock, and feeds on an average two car loads of steers and fifty hogs annually. He has some good graded stock. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================