Written by Jeanetta McFarland Rose, Grand-daughter

Grandfather William McFarland Jr. was born 14 May 1838 in Borland, Fife, Scotland, to William McFarland Sr. who was born 8 Jun 1795 in Knockrol, Tyrone, Ireland and Margaret McCormick who was born 11 Apr 1804 in New Corney, Fife, Scotland. They were the parents of two daughters and four sons. William's parents joined the Church Or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the summer of 1842 and he was baptized 31 Dec 1849 at the age of eight years.

William Jr. left Scotland with his parents 17 Dec 1854 for Liverpool, England where they would leave for America. They were detained two or three weeks in Liverpool by a bad storm. They stayed there until another ship was secured, then finally sailed on the "Charles Buck" for New Orleans in 4merica. They were on the sea more than two months, arriving in New Orleans on 5 Mar 1855. From there they went on a river steamer up the Mississippi River to St, Louis, taking 11 days. From St. Louis they traveled up the Missouri River to Atchison, Kansas where they settled and homesteaded 160 acres Or land. They farmed and planted corn, beans and other crops and built several log houses. On 2 Jul 1855 they started their long trek across the plains for Salt Lake City, arriving there 25 Sep 1855, with the Richard Ballantyne Company. Grandfather was 17 years Or age at this time.

Grandfather with his two older brothers stayed in Salt Lake to work "quarrying" (probably granite for the temple) while their parents moved to American Fork. They paid $150. a year for board and room while in Salt Lake, remaining there about one and one- half years. Their wages bought needed clothing for the family. During the same summer William was in the first company sent from American Fork to help make up the newly formed Mormon Militia to guard the Saints against Johnston's Army which was approaching Utah at that time.

During the summer of 1857 the family built houses for the parents and the two older married brothers. Archibald, an older brother, recorded, "Here let me give a word of praise to brother William. Although he was not married he worked with the same faithfulness as any of us and was just as well pleased to see us getting houses as if they had been his own. And whatever faults my brother5may ha-re-I should know them the best and I record it for my children-that they were good and true men and are today men who despise mean things and their noble desire is to do good."

William and his two older brothers came to West Weber in the spring Or 1859 and bought land from Captain James Brown. After they had put in some crops, one Or the brothers went back to American Fork to get their parents and two sisters. The youngest brother, Robert stayed in American Fork until the next spring.

In the spring Or 1861 there was a call for teams to go to the Missouri River to assist the Saints coming to Utah. William's family furnished a team and supplies. William was called to and he went back three different times spending the entire sum- mer. He was friendly with the Indians and knew their language and could talk with them. He helped the handcart companies who were afraid Or the Indians, bear and buffalo. He traded horses with the Indians along the way. William's youngest son, Simrock remembers his rather telling how he used the same saddle on all of the trips back to Missouri. Sim remembers the old saddle hanging in their granary. It had been patched and repaired many times with deer and buffalo hide and was a "hard looking old saddle."

When the bench lands of West Weber were opened up and fenced in 1863, William took a part. He was married 16 Oct 1863 to Rose Cole. They settled in West Weber and became the parents Or 13 children: William, Martin, Elizabeth, Charles, George, Hyrum, Joseph, Blair, Elijah (my father), Rose, Edward, Jeanette, and Simrock. Elizabeth and Charles died in infancy.

Grandfather was a successful farmer and stockman. He raised every kind of fruit that would be grown there as well as hay and grain. He had a large herd of sheep. During the summers he would range them on Monte Cristo Mountain east Or Ogden.

Grandfather was a very kind and generous man always sharing his fruit and time and whatever he had with his neighbors, the widows and others in need.

Grandmother had a beautiful flower garden, growing prize roses and sweet williams and many other flowers.

Grandfather was blind for several years before he died. The sons all worked together taking care of the farm and sheep. He died 17 Sep 1909 in West Weber at the age of 71 years, having lived a good and productive life and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Submitted by Jeanetta McFarland Rose

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976