Robert McFarland was born in Borland, Fifeshire, Scotland, September 19, l844, a son of William and Margaret McCormick McFarland. He spent part of his boyhood days in Boness, Scotland. Later moving to Liverpool.

His parents were faithful members of their church there. They were dedicated readers of the Bible and were always searching for the truth. When they heard the Mormon Missionaries, it didn't take them long to be converted; they knew it was the church they were looking for.

They soon decided to join the Saints in America. Their Journey was arranged by Elder Franklin D. Richards.

They took what wa8 known a8 the Southern Route, which f-allowed along the African coast, in order to be able to be driven by the "trade winds" as their ship was a sailing vessel.

They were on the water for two months and then landed in New Orleans in the spring of 1855. The company of Saints went to St. Louis and rested there for eight days. Then left for Atcheson, Kansas by way of the Missouri River. They stayed there until they were ready to leave for Utah by ox-team.

The day by day struggle was hard. They arrived in Salt Lake City on the 24th of September 1855.

The family stayed with John Bowman until after the Fall Conference, then left by horse team for American Fork.

Word came to them they could get more land among the Weber River west of Ogden, so in the early spring of 1859 they left American Fork and came to Ogden.

They lived in their wagon box while they built an adobe house.

In 1865 Robert was put in charge of this district as a "ward teacher." Then he held the office of a Sunday School Teacher. Later he was first counselor in the Sunday School Superintendency, which office he held for some time,

In 1884, he married Mahala Wilson; to this union 11 children were born. After her death, he married Josephine Mattson and nine more children graced his life,

In 1878 he was called to fill a mission to Scotland. He had to sell his only two horses to pay for his ticket to Scotland.

The father of President David 0. McKay was called to serve a mission the same time and in the same town in Scotland. They traveled together and became very close friends They made a pledge with each other that "who ever died first, the other one would speak at the funeral." When Robert died the McKay family remembered the agreement and sent President David 0., out to fulfill his father's promise.

After arriving home from his mission he was put in as first counselor to Bishop Ballantyne. He held this position for a few years and was made Bishop of the West Weber Ward, and held this position for 27 years.

His entire life was spent in church activities and farming and he found great interest in the community and his earnest belief in the church he loved.

He was a delegate to the State Constitution Convention, as one of the men who helped bring the Utah Territory into the United States as a full fledged State. His signature in Gold Leaf bronze appears with other signers of the Constitution in exhibit at the Utah State Capitol Main Lobby floor.

Robert was purchasing agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad when they bought more land for the second track from Ogden to the Lake.

After the deal was completed he was given an all expense paid trip to California by the Southern Pacific.

Still at the age of 87 years found great interest in the community and church.

Robert McFarland died July l, 1931 after a short illness.

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976