My Genealogy Hound

HON. NOAH C. MCFARLAND.
Hon. Noah C. McFarland, deceased, was one of the distinguished men of Kansas, whose name will go down to history with her other statesmen, jurists and broad-minded, steadfast, useful citizens. Judge McFarland was born April 23, 1822, in the State of Pennsylvania, being a member of one of the substantial old families of Washington County.

Completing a collegiate course at Washington College, at the age of 23 years, Noah C. McFarland turned his attention to the study of the law, and in 1846, at Bucyrus, Ohio, he entered the law office of Judge Scott, who afterward became a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio. When Judge Scott removed to Hamilton, Ohio, Mr. McFarland became his law partner and resided there until he removed to Kansas in 1870. Prior to this, Mr. McFarland’s ability and capacity had been recognized by his fellow-citizens in Ohio. In 1865 he was elected to represent Butler and Warren counties in the Ohio State Senate, where he served as chairman of the judiciary committee. He was also a member of the Ohio delegation at the Chicago National Republican Convention, in 1868, which nominated General Grant for the Presidency.

Within three years of settling in Kansas, Judge McFarland was elected to the State Senate from Shawnee County, and also in this body served as chairman of the judiciary committee. His eminent qualifications brought about his appointment as a member of the Ute Indian Commission, and he also served as regent of the Kansas State University. In 1881 he was appointed United States Land Office Commissioner at Washington, by President Garfield, an office to which he was reappointed by President Arthur.

Politically, Judge McFarland was a stalwart Republican, beginning campaign speech-making as early as his 18th year, first in the interests of the Whig party and later ardently supporting the principles of the Republican party.

Judge McFarland died April 26, 1897, at the Copeland Hotel, Topeka, after an illness of but three weeks duration. He is vividly recalled by his business and political associates and by scores of personal friends, his Abraham Lincoln style of appearance and stature making him a conspicuous figure in any assembly, while his personal attributes in a like manner recalled Lincoln’s rugged honesty. In all his years of public life and his familiar association with his fellow-men he markedly showed the possession of the clear, keen judgment of a thinker, and the sincere and unselfish devotion of a patriot.

The death of Judge McFarland followed that of his cherished wife within a year. She was one of the most highly esteemed ladies in Topeka, beloved for her personal character and admired for her philanthropies. She was one of the founders of Topeka’s Free Public Library and of Ingleside Home. James M. McFarland, the only son, survives.