BIO: James McFARLANE, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897 __________________________________________________________ JAMES McFARLANE, Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pa., is one of the progressive farmers of Armagh township. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a descendant of the James McFarlane who was born in Scotland December 24, 1695, came to America in 1717, and settled in the province of Pennsylvania, in what was then a part of Lancaster county, now known as Cumberland county. He married Jeanette Buchanan, of Lancaster. One of their sons was Patrick, great-grandfather of the present James McFarlane. Patrick McFarlane was born in 1727, in Cumberland county, whence he came to Mifflin county, and took up a tract of land comprising about 175 acres within the present boundaries of Armagh township. After securing the warrants for his land, he returned to Cumberland county. Patrick McFarlane married, and had a family of sons and daughters. Two of their sons, Robert and James(2), enlisted under General Washington, and served in the army throughout the war of the Revolution, and both, with all the forces left under Colonel Magaw to defend Fort Washington, on the Hudson, above New York City, were taken prisoners when that fort was seized by a detachment of Hessians, November 16, 1776. There were about three thousand prisoners. The private soldiers were confined during the severe winter of that year in churches, sugar houses and other unwarmed buildings, while the officers, being admitted to parole, were allowed to live in some deserted houses. It is a well-authenticated fact that James, then Lieutenant McFarlane, having a knowledge of blacksmithing, sought and obtained employment in the smithies of the British army, and every Saturday night divided the profits thus obtained from the enemy among the poorest of his fellow-captives, men whose rations, as doled out by the British commissary department, amounted to about four ounces daily of damaged beef. This fact was related, not by James McFarlane himself, whose modesty never permitted him to dwell upon his own heroism, but by his fellow-prisoners. Robert McFarlane was commissioned captain for gallant and meritorious services. At the close of the war he settled in Cumberland county, Pa., at Newville. He married, and some of his descendants still live in that county. Among them is Mrs. John Hayes, a resident of Newville, who has three daughters. Part of the tract upon which Captain McFarlane settled is still in the possession of the family. As has been intimated, James McFarlane was mustered out of the Continental army with the rank of lieutenant. He afterwards became colonel of the militia of Mifflin county. At the close of the war he, like his brother, returned for a time to Cumberland county. He married Mary Loudon; they had four sons and six daughters; these were: James(3), married Lillie Henry, has two sons; William, father of the present James McFarlane(4); Robert, who died in early manhood; Andrew, married Mary F., daughter of John and Sarah (Beatty) Smith, had seven children; Elizabeth (Mrs. John Thompson), of Centre county, Pa., has five sons and two daughters; Jeannette (Mrs. Joseph Kyle), has four sons and two daughters; Rosanna (Mrs. Henry Taylor); Margaret (Mrs. William Thompson), has two sons and four daughters; Nancy (Mrs. William Smith); and Mary, who died in early womanhood. The seven children of Andrew, fourth son of Lieut. James McFarlane, were: John, died at the age of eighteen months; Sarah (Mrs. Albert Thomson), has seven children; Anna Mary (Mrs. Robert P. Cochran), has six children; J. Howard, did not marry; Emily (Mrs. Hugh A. Barr); Agnes, resides with her brother, J. Howard; and Ada (Mrs. W. G. Carson). Lieut. James McFarlane settled on the tract of land taken up by his father, Patrick McFarlane, in Armagh township, and brought with him. Richard Johnson, his comrade and fellow-captive in New York. Lieut. James McFarlane and his friend Johnson built the old stone mansion on the homestead where Mrs. James McFarlane now resides. Here the Lieutenant, afterwards Colonel, McFarlane, raised his family, and lived to be almost an octogenarian, both he and his wife attaining to the age of seventy-seven. It is said that Colonel McFarlane never in his life required the services of a physician, nor ever took any medicine, nor lost a drop of blood by the lancet. Colonel McFarlane was one of the sturdy pioneers of his day; he was just and conscientious in all his business transactions, and was highly esteemed and respected. His son William, born January 26, 1796, was brought up on the old homestead in Armagh township, where he received his education in the common schools and from private tutors. He resided with his father until the death of the latter, and then succeeded to the homestead. William McFarlane was married December 18, 1834, to Hannah S., daughter of Robert and Hannah (McKee) Means. They became the parents of six children: Rose A. E.; Mary, died in early childhood; Elmira (Mrs. Rev. R. M. Campbell), of Port Royal, Juniata county, has six children; James(4); William, married Cora Cobb, of Bainbridge, O.; and Andrew L., died in infancy. Mr. McFarlane was a farmer of advanced ideas; in all his transactions he maintained the honorable reputation of his family; and as a neighbor and friend, his kind disposition and generous hospitality exerted a gracious influence upon all who came in contact with him. He died April 18, 1855; his wife survived him until October 7, 1886. She was a most charitable woman, often aiding the poor and needy in a quiet, unostentatious manner; in kindness and hospitality she was the true helpmeet of her worthy husband; her death was a bereavement to all who knew her. Their son, James McFarlane(4), received his primary education in the common schools; at the age of fifteen he entered the Farmers' High School, now known as the State College, in Centre county, Pa., where he was a student about two years and a half, from 1859 to 1861; he then returned home, and devoted his attention to cultivating the McFarlane homestead. In this undertaking he has been eminently successful, having by his skilful management brought his property to a high state of excellence, making it rank foremost for productiveness among the farms of the valley. James McFarlane was married, May 14, 1867, to Ellen Vance, daughter of Joseph and Annie (Horning) Strode. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane are: Anna Lillie; and William Joseph. Mrs. James McFarlane was born August 12, 1843, and died April 14, 1893. Others of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Strode are: Kate; Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Kyle); Maggie; and Mollie. The parents reside at Strodes Mills, Oliver township, where Mr. Strode has long been postmaster; he has the honor of being known as the oldest postmaster in the United States. Mr. McFarlane is a citizen of liberal mind and public spirit, having always taken an active interest in local affairs. He contributes willingly towards church enterprises, or any such as are likely to promote the welfare of the community. He is a Republican. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church at Reedsville.