McFARLAND, John

John McFarland, one of Meadville's oldest inhabitants, was born in Erie county, February 13th, 1800. Only two weeks after his birth his father died and his mother soon after removed to Erie, where they resided until 1814, when they moved to Meadville. Mr. McFarland went to Mayville, Chautauqua county. New York, in 1816, and was employed in Harriott & McGunnegle's store at that place until 1821. In 1822 he engaged in the mercantile business in a small building on Water street, north of Walnut, where he how has his office. In 1832 he built the brick building on the corner of Water and Walnut streets. Mr. McFarland continued in the mercantile business for fifty-three years without intermission.

During his long and active life he has been engaged in many public enterprises. He has been Treasurer of Allegheny College twenty-six years. In 1864 he was elected President of the Merchants' National Bank and still continues in office. He was school director for fourteen years, and has held many other offices of trust.

He was married in 1834 to Miss Salome Atkinson, daughter of Thomas Atkinson, who established the Crawford Messenger, which was the first paper started in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Directory of Crawford County, 1879-80, page 253
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