Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-05-07
Funeral Of John q. Mcfarland.
From the Piedmont Herald. April 1a.l

Even a stranger in town on Sunday
afternoon last would have known by
the great concourse of people that
the funeral assembly at the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, South, was
occasion ed by the death of no ordi-
nary person, but had been called to-
gether by reason of the possible de-
parture of some one among us who
had occupied some position of honor,
and had gathered around him the
best respect and consideration of the
whole community. So it was. In
the death OF. John A. Mcfarland the
town of Westernport loses ner most
progressive citizen, and this whole
community witnesses the departure.
of q man whose honesty, integrity,
and whole-heartedness was never
questioned or even doubted. IL is
not asserting too much when we say
that the spirit of enterprise and ex-
pansion now so wondrously devel-
oping itself in our sister town had its
inception in the personality of Mr..
Mcfarland, and received its impetus
in the earnest efforts of that gentle
man to bring the citizens to see the
vast advantage to be gained by an,
enlargement of their possibilities.
He was possessed long ago with the.
idea that there were better things in
store for Westernport, and he was.
most untiring in his endeavors to ac-
complish what he deemed were the
necessary adjuncts to the proper
progress of his town, and the conse-
oueDt natural benefit to all his fellow
citizens. The failure to fully realize.
all or any of his projects just at the,
time when the occasion seemed ripe
to him, was only new incentive to
work the harder that they might be.
secured at the earliest opportunity.
While he was not of course the only
citizen operating along these advance
lines. yet none can take from him his
measure of constancy, nor refuse to
pay to him the praise due to him for
his leadership. The town attests his
worth and character in its new char
ter, its paved sidewalks, its improved
streets, its board-walks, it's better
road beds, its electric lights, and a
score of other kindred improvements
made since 1886, all of which he
championed, and with others of like
opinions he was moving spirit in.
His fellow citizens recognized his
public worth again and again, by
making him, number of times,
mem Der of the Board of Town Com
missioners, of which body he was
president on three or four occasions,
serving each time, whether as the ex-
ecutive officer, or as simply a MEM
Der of the board, to the full satisfac-
ton of the people generally of the
town. Out side of these public con-
siderations Mr.. Mcfarland was also
appreciated for himself. He was in
himself good citizen. man of fam
lily, and home-man, as the phrase
is, which is verified by the pleasant
surroundings on Westernport Hill,
beauti(ied and made attractive by his
hand and attention. A most inter-
esting family claimed and received
his closest attention, and there was
no thought that he could take of
them that was not for their good.
To those for whom he formed a
friendship he was constant, and the
same feeling was sure to be recipro-
Gated. His untimely death makes
very wide gap in the host of friends
and acquaintance that esteemed him.
Mr.. Mcfarland was in the 4Sth
year of his age. He was born in
Charles Town, Jefferson county, w.
Va, (then Virginia) April Is, 1917,
and died in Westernport, Md, April
8. 1896, at IL 80 A. NJ. His early
life was passed amid the scenes of
his birth, and during his school days
he was school mate of the Hon. w.
L. Wilson, the present Postmaster
General in the Presidents Cabinet.
He was but in his teens at the break
ing out of the late civil war, and soon
thereafter entered the Confederate
Army, serving until its close. He
came TO Piedmont in 1870, entering
the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, with whom he remained an
honored employee until the day of
his death. He took up his residence
in Westernportin 1878, and was ever
thereafter citizen of that town.
The cause of death was enlargement
of the liver. Mr.. Mcfarland was
twice married, the first wife being
Miss Ellen Conner, of Pennsylvania,
of which marriage he leave two chill
dren, Mr.. VIM. Mcfarland and Miss
Mamie Mcfarland. His second wife
was Miss Mary G. Parr, of Pied
mont, and who survives him with four
children, Miss Bessie, and Masters
John, Frank and Earle. The whole
family have the deep sympathy of
many friends in this atfiiction.
The funeral services were held at
the NJ. E. Church, South, on Sunday
at 2 O'Clock, and were conducted by
the Rev. j. Fl. Moore, of the Pres
byterian Church of Keyser, assisted
by Rev. Mr.. McLane, and Revs. VIM.
and Henry Right. Mr.. Moore
preached the sermon from the words
of St. Paul: SO Death, Where is
Thy Sting Mr.. Moore had been a
companion of the deceased in boy
hoods days, and through the late
war, and his remarks were for these