---

John McFarland, who was one of Richland County's earliest settlers and oldest residents, died Saturday morning at 9 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Williams, Sandusky Twp.  He was aged nearly 93 years and a breaking down of the system due to old age caused his death.  Funeral was held Monday at 1:30 o'clock.  Interment was made at Bloominggrove.

John McFarland was born in Virginia in March, 1804, and was one of a family of 11 children, of whom now but two survive.  When a young man he went to Maryland.  He lived there but a short time and then came to this county and settled in Washington Twp.  He had been a resident of this county for about 70 years.  He is a well known figure in the history of this county and was very active in the affairs of Washington Twp.

In March, 1827, the first temperance society in Richland County was organized in Washington Twp.  He was one of the men who assisted in forming the society.  The society existed for 30 years.  It met once a year, the first night in January.  At one time the society had 600 members.

He was a member of the first church organization in this township, the Methodist Episcopal, about 1828.  At first the members of the congregation held their meetings at the cabins of the members, but in 1828 they erected a log church on the site of Washington Village.  During the slavery agitation, between 1830 and 1840, this church was divided, political matters being carried into the pulpit.  The occasion of the division was the sermon by Elder Powers, in which he took strong ground in favor of slavery.  A strong Abolition sentiment had taken root among the members and had for some time been growing and increasing. Fourteen members withdrew and organized the Wesleyan Methodist church.  The McFarlands were influential in this movement.

In 1869, the former members of this church including the McFarlands and other citizens, organized the Congregational church.  The church was dedicate by Rev. Dr. Fairfield, who was occupied the pulpit at the Congregational church of this city, for the last few weeks.

---

<< Back to Obituary Index

<< Back to the Richland Co., Ohio Index