Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....McFarland, Andrew J. 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


ANDREW J. McFARLAND, of West Providence, Bedford County, 
Pa., was born December 15, 1846, in the neighboring township 
of Monroe, a son of James and Sophia (Sleighter) McFarland.
  James McFarland was born and reared near Pittsburg, Pa., 
but in early manhood became a resident of Monroe, Bedford 
County, where he engaged in farming pursuits until his 
death, while yet in the prime of life, in 1858.  He married 
Sophia Sleighter, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and of 
their children the following named survive: Mrs. Catherine 
French; Daniel; Joseph; Andrew J.; Elizabeth, wife of Jonas 
Sparks; and Lavina, wife of Frank House - all living in West 
Providence township; and George W., who is a resident of 
Monroe, Pa.
  Andrew J. McFarland attended the district schools of 
Monroe in his youth, gleaning such knowledge as was 
disseminated in the old log school house in which he first 
pursued his studies.  Responding to the last call for 
volunteers during the Civil War, he enlisted and being 
mustered into service on March 9, 1865, at Chambersburg, 
Pa., went from there to Carlisle, and thence to Newbern and 
to Goldsboro, N.C., where he joined Company F, Seventy-ninth 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the 
Fourteenth Army Corps, and served first under Sherman and 
subsequently under other noted generals of that time.  From 
there he marched with his regiment the entire distance to 
Washington, going by way of Richmond, Va.  After being 
mustered out of service in July, 1865, he returned to his 
home in Monroe township, where he remained until the spring 
of 1867.  Coming then to West Providence, he continued his 
agricultural labors, and soon afterward took possession of 
his present farm, which is finely located on Warrior Ridge, 
not far from Tatesville, where he has lived since 1872.  A 
thorough-going farmer, skilled in the various branches of 
husbandry, he has reduced a large part of his one hundred 
and thirty-three acres of land to tillage, and is now 
carrying on general farming after the most approved modern 
methods.  He is a Republican in politics, and has served the 
community as School Director of the township.
  Mr. McFarland married in September, 1872, Elizabeth, 
daughter of David and Catherine Leader, who for a number of 
years were esteemed residents of Hopewell township, Bedford 
County.  Her father died at his home in Hopewell in 1848; 
and her mother, who was born in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, 
eighty-eight years ago, makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. 
McFarland.  Seven of the nine children born of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are now living, namely: John H.; 
Alice M., wife of Luther Miller; Charley; Martha; Erastus; 
Jessie; and Olive.  Both Mr. McFarland and his wife are 
members of the Christian church, in which he has served as a 
Deacon.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa