| Notes |
- Mary Helen Haines notes:
In Scollard's Ladonia Directory for 1899-1900, Jas. F. McFarland is listed as the vice-president of the First National Bank on the north corner square. The other vice-pres. is W.G. Nunn. His son Samuel Jackson is listed as a cashier at the bank, and relative D.E. Waggoner is another cashier.
Born August 9, 1847 in Fannin County, eldest son of A. Jackson and Artemissa Pence McFarland. Married Mary Jane Harper on February 4, 1872. Jackson deeded 176 acres to James, the start of his eventual 3000+ acres. Besides farming, James Franklin helped found the First National Bank of Ladonia, and served as President. He also joined with other farmers to organize the Pecan Gap Cotton Oil Company. He and Mary Jane joined the First Christian Church in Ladonia. Politically, he was a Republican, like his father and grandfather McFarland. 1890: address is Ladonia P.O. and had 1022 acres in cultivation. Around 1915, he fell ill and went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where he was diagnosed with "pernicious anemia." Died February 4, 1917 and buried in the McFarland Lot, Section 4 of the Ladonia Cemetery.
Article in The Christian Courier, February 8, 1917, p. 14. J.F. McFarland--An Appreciation, by John G. Slayter. "It was my good fortune to know Mr. McFarland well. He was my friend. My relations with him were close enough to enable me to understand something of his greatness. He was a typical American--the best type of an American. The spirit that made our forefathers conquerers, whether in battle or over the adverse circumstances of life, was th espirit of his vigorous manhood. He never shunned responsibility. As a mere boy he enlisted in the army of the Confederacy and served till the close of the war. In all the relations of life he has been equally prompt to do his duty as God gave him to see what his duty was. In business he was honest, conservative, and yet aggressive--successful. In politics he was courageous, independent, progressive and stood for the highest American ideals. Socially he was democratic, kindly, courteous. All classes of people were his friends. In religion he simply "believed God" and acted accordingly. His faith was simplicity itself. The church, our colleges, our missionary agencies were all dear to him and received his support and love, because they were all dedicated to the promotion of the kingdom of his God. ......"
Obituary transcribed by Lola McFarland Hill:
JAMES FRANKLIN MCFARLAND
(from the Ladonia News - Feb. 10, 1917)
And the Bonham Semi-weekly
On last Sunday morning, Feb. 4, 1917, just as the sun rose and flood-
ed the earth with its glorious light, the soul of J. F. McFarland calmly
and peacefully (flew) from the bosom of his family to his God. Almost as if
by magic the entire town and community knew when this silver cord was
loosed, this golden bowl was broken and a sabbath stillness sacred and
profound fell over the city. He had borne his physical pain of three
years duration like a hero in which time everything known to medical
science, skillful nursing, and loving hands had been done to restore
to him the remarkable strength and vitality of earlier years , but his
work was finished and his loving wife must say goodbye on the forty-
fifth anniversary of their marriage.
Funeral services were conducted on Monday afternoon at the First
Christian Church by his pastor, Rev. J. William Stephens, assisted by
the other pastors in the town. Tributes of respect were also given by
R. M. Rowland and E. M. Waites of Fort Worth. After the remains were
viewed by hundreds of friends both white and colored, the vast cortege
moved to the great final resting place of all humanity. The pall bearers (?)
Slowly the remains passed through the town where all places of
business were closed, to the Presbyterian cemetery. He lies to the
south of the burial ground in the family plot selected by himself. . ~
Flowers of every hue and kind from friend all over the state mark
the spot.
Mr. McFarland was born in this county, near the place where he died,
on August 9, 1847. He was the eldest son of Jackson and Artemissa Mc-
Farland, who came from Illinois and settled a farm five miles north of
Ladonia in 1836. This old homestead is still owned by the heirs of the
man who settled it.
Young McFarland received only the education that could be secured
in the schools of that primitive time, but made splendid use of all
his opportunities and the knowledge that he gained.
J. F McFarland leaves three brothers and one sister, John E.,
N. J., and C. S McFarland, and Mrs. W. H. Cunningham, to whom he was
ever kind and devoted, especially the youngest brother whom he fos-
tered and loved as his own son. In 1872 he and Miss Mary Jane Harper
were united in marriage. To them ten children were born. The wife
and nine children survive him, and were present at his death. The sur-
viving children are Samuel Jackson McFarland and Mrs. W. M. Williams of
Dallas, Mrs. W. P. Jennings of McKinney, Dr. Gordon B. McFarland of
New York, and Mrs. H. E. Fuller, James R., John A., Miss Tennie and
Miss Lola of Ladonia.
As a friend of the family we know something of the strenuous ef-
forts of his noble wife and each child to make comfortable and happy
his life and that they will continue to honor his memory until they
meet him "where all tears are wiped away."
No man we have known has done more to advance the moral and mater-
ial welfare of Fannin County than did J. F. McFarland. He made a for-
tune, and he was wise enough to use that fortune to the best interests
of his own family, his community and his own state, rather than use
it to gratify selfish desires. He stood at all times ready to do bat-
tle for every good cause and against every evil cause and evil tenden-
cy. He gave his talents, his time and his money freely to every cause
he espoused, and he espoused some things which caused him to give much
in a material way. He was one of the most active workers in the var-
ious contests that were had in this county to drive the liquor traffic
from its borders. He never yielded to any man his place on the firing
line, and defeat never conquered his determination to fight on till the
victory was won. He was a friend to the school and the church, and
every agency that helped build the moral health of the state. He
gave most liberally to the schools of the Christian churches of the
state, and he contributed much to the local church of which he was
a member.
He was a life-long Republican in politics, living in an almost
solidly"Democratic community, and yet his influence was worth as much
in the Democratic primary election as any man's. The secret of this
was his loyalty to that which was good, and the confidence the people
had in his honesty and sincerity. He was never known to knowingly sup-
port a bad man or a bad measure.
He and his good wife reared a family of boys and girls who have
grown into manhood and womanhood of which their parents can be proud.
They are shouldering the burdens and carrying on the good works that
their parents before them gave example to follow. Had they done no great-
er work than to give to the world such sons and daughters, then would (?)
their lives have been a blessing to mankind. Only those who actually
know something of the conditions here in pioneer days can fully appre-
ciate the work this good man did. A (?) he labored faithfully and well
on earth, so will he reap an abundant reward in heaven.
-A Friend
Lola thinks the author was Ashley Evans, Editor of the Bonham News because portions of this are quoted in other tributes to him that are attributed to Mr. Evans.
The house James Franklin and Mary Jane built in 1885 on Hwy 2990, and renovated in 1902 burned to the ground in 2013 and the fire killed the owners Richard Fields and wife.
A letter written to his son Samuel Jackson and wife Jewel McFarland on August 9, 1915 on his 68th birthday from Manitou Colorado where he spent three summers before he died of pernicious anemia.
Dear Jewell 68 years ago to day there was a little Boy born on an open prairie with very few neighbors in a wild country infested with Bear panthers Deer and all kinds of wild animals during those sixty eight years that same boy has worked for the upbuilding of his county and the good of humanity- and to day he is located in a little cottage on the side of a mountain in far off Colorado clinging for health. I am feeling fine this morning had a good night last night- our friends have been very mindful of us. Mr. John Miller paid us a visit and took us out in his car for a twenty mile drive. Mr. Bowland is at Denver he wrote me he would visit us soon. The Riter girls and Grace Hackly have been here and the Agnew Girls on their way home from Sanfrancisco stopped to see us and Mr. Wills came up one day and spent a while with us and the Galbraiths will be up to take dinner with us today. Edgar has just come in with a ninety cent hen so I suppose we will have something good for dinner. All I wish is that I can not have all the children here to all eat at the same table to day. Would like to one long enough to accommodate everyone at once however that is impossible and we will have to make the best of everything we can...Sarah Wilhite spent several days with us left last evening to visit Sallie we all enjoyed her little visit so much we learned so much about the kin in Nebraska when she left she said she thought she and Jewel's daughter would visit us all sometime in the future. Yesterday was real cold here too cold to be comfortable we sat around the fire all day. but the sunshines beautifully this morning. I will close this hoping you and Sam may live a long time and may be able to do much good in the community in which you live. Wish you were here to take dinner with us but we will remember you. love to both of you. we are your devoted Father and Mother
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1847 - 1917 (69 years)
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