Peter Fenton McFarland was born June l, 1868 in West Weber, Weber County, Utah, the eighth child of James and Hannah Boyack McFarland. His father was born in Borland, or Dysart, Fifeshire, Scotland. His mother was born in Dundee, Farfarshire, Scotland.

Pete McFarland (as he was more commonly known) was a herdsman during his younger years, and continued to enjoy having sheep to take care Or throughout his life.

As a young child, Pete and his brothers, Robert and James played with the Indian children on the sandhill. One day they dug a hole in the sand and buried two Indian kids to their waist. The Indians became very hostile. Pete's mother hid him and his brothers in the wheat bin for several days until the Indians were more peaceful.

Pete worked on the Railroad making grade and laying the second track when it was put in, in the 18908. He also worked on a horse driven powered thresher machine where the men took their bedding and stayed night and day until the threshing was done. He also worked on Q steam powered threshing machine.

Peter Fenton McFarland married Esther Caroline Etherington, who was born February 13, 1876 in West Weber, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Wheeler Etherington. They were married February 3, 1897 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the parents of eight children: Thomas Fenton McFarland of Ogden; James LeRoy McFarland of West Weber; Elmer Roy McFarland of West Weber; William Spencer McFarland, who died of Brights Disease at the age of 12; Sarah Merle McFarland (Vause) of Ogden; Marion Elizabeth McFarland (Ballinger) of Ogden; Margaret Eliza McFarland (Agee) of Ogden; Esther Bernice McFarland (Frasier) of Ogden.

Pete worked as a guard on the Weber River Bridge (Railroad Bridge) just east of his place during World War I, and had 12 hour shifts.

He helped, with his family and others to dig canals to irrigate by digging ditches from one pond to another pond throughout the area to irrigate. He served as Water Master for the Hooper Irrigation Company for many years. He also served on the Grand Jury in the area and related many instances of corruption.

Peter F. McFarland held the old McFarland (pioneer) water rights of five second feet of water on the Weber River. When the West Weber and Taylor branches of the Hooper Irrigation Company were built, he turned these rights into the irrigation company and obtained water stock for them. During the drought in 1934, this was all the water the irrigation company had and it was divided between the canals for livestock watering.

Pete was the owner of a racehorse. The mare was raised by his brother-in-law, Jimmy Etherington and was a natural pacer. At first he purchased a wooden wheel race cart, and trained this mare to race. He later purchased a sulky, which is a rubber tire race cart, and raced at the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City, Logan, Tremonton, and Preston, Idaho. He later leased the mare out and she was raced throughout Idaho and later died of brain fever, (possibly in 1933 when an epidemic of what veterinarians said was "Brain Fever" struck the horses of this section, and many of them died).

Pete taught his children to work and be honest in all dealings. He was a great teacher and could relate many interesting stories to his children and grandchildren.

As Pete declined in years he walked with a beautiful wooden cane made from the branch of a tree which he had polished himself. Two of his granddaughters, Norene McFarland Drake and Jean McFarland Larsen were privileged to live in the same home as their grandparents. Their grandfather (Pete) would take them with him to herd sheep along the railroad tracks. He always had time for them and gave them a lot of love and affection. In his shirt pocket, could always be found black licorice, which was sheer delight for grandchildren.

Peter Fenton McFarland passed away October 17, 1939 at West Weber, in the home, now occupied by his son, Elmer Ray McFarland, and was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Submitted by Elmer R. McFarland.

THF BOOK OF MORMON

The most marvelous book ever printed by man,

Or published on earth since the world began;

Engraved on gold plates with most consummated skill,

And hid just so deep in the side of a hill

That the natural wear of the ages should bare it,

and thus for the latter-day prophet prepare it,

Exposed where his eye could most readily see it,

And his hand from the hillside so easily free it;

By hillside erosion uncovered and bared,

"Cut out without hands," as the prophet declared.

The stone of the Kingdom God pledged at its birth,

"To become a great mountain and fill the whole earth."

-James McFarland Father of Peter F. McFarland

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976