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John McFarland

John McFarland, son of Archibald and Isabell Mitchell McFarland, was born December 31, 1868, in West Weber, Weber County, Utah. He lived there and attended school in a one room school house. In the winter, he wore copper toed boots or shoes and they were hard and cold. During the summer, he herded his father's flock of sheep, in bare feet, in the south sand hills of West Weber.

His father was quite a good horticulturist and planted fruit trees of all kinds on his farm. As John grew old enough he would help his father "bud" the young fruit tree sprouts to give to various people in the vicinity to encourage fruit production. There were apple, pear, peach, plum, green gage, grape and walnut trees, mulberries (a whole row along the outside walk next to the road) and any other kind of fruit that would grow in that climate.

When John became old enough his father would load up a wagon, during fruit harvest time, and send him to Ogden to peddle the fruit. He usually returned home with empty boxes, because the fruit was good and it sold well.

Young people in those days, were much the same as today. . . Criticized and preached to by the older members. One man who had no children used to stand up to the pulpit and harangue about the "carrying on" of the young folks, especially the young men and at the end would become rather loud voiced and with a bang of his fist on the pulpit would say, "I tell you, brethren, they're all gonna go to the devil. They're all gonna go to the devil!"

On October 17, 1889, John married Grace McKay in the Logan Temple. He packed his wagon, took a few head of cattle and traveled to Idaho Falls. He headed for a ranch owned by his father where a second wife, Kaye Jones McFarland lived.

The winter of 1889 and 90 was so severe that when spring came all the cattle laid down and died. John again packed his wagon and traveled back to West Weber where he lived for three years.

A son, John Angus, was born there on January 27, 1892. Grace, his wife worked in the Relief Society. Her "Teaching Beat" was the north West Weber road, from the Archie McFarland corner to the Hooper-Plain City road. She would put her baby in the baby buggy and walk the long, rough, dusty road to visit the sisters. She felt however, that she was well paid for her labors.

John acquired a herd of sheep. So to be nearer to their grazing grounds east of Huntsville, he moved his family to that town where he lived for many years.

John McFarland died in Ogden, June 3, 1956. Submitted by Mina McFarland Berlin, Daughter of John McFarland.

 

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976

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