James McFarland
James McFarland, deceased, was a respected pioneer of Paw Paw Township of 1845. He was born in the town of Salem, Washington Co., N.Y., Sept. 24, 1797, and was the son of John and Janet McFarland. His parents were of Scottish birth, and had emigrated to the State of New York in an early day. He moved with his parents to Cayuga County in boyhood, where he was engaged in farming and lumbering.
He came to Illinois in 1845 and settled on section 23, Paw Paw Township, DeKalb County. He purchased his land of the Government (160 acres), and made this his home continuously till the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 27, 1876. He was married in Cayuga Co., N.Y., March 6, 1832, to Miss Mary Harper, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Black) Harper. Mrs. McFarland was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 10, 1809. She emigrated with her parents to America during the War of 1812. The family settled in Washington Co., N.Y., and subsequently removed to Cayuga County, same State, where she was married. Three children were born of this union, one boy and two girls: Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1833, became the wife of Charles S. Hubbell, and died Feb. 24, 1875, leaving three children, all girls; the next younger than Elizabeth was Janet, who was born Nov. 14, 1835, and died June 24, 1848; Thomas, born in 1837, died in infancy.
Mr. McFarland was an earnest member of the United Presbyterian Church from boyhood. He took an active part in building the church at Ross Grove, and was one of the most liberal in its support.
He was a man of the strictest integrity, and commanded the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His wife, a lady justly held in high esteem, survives him and still occupies the old homestead. She is a consistent Christian and has a membership in the United Presbyterian Church of Freeland, DeKalb County.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb Co.
