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- [S1] Newspaper Clipping, 12 Oct 1899, Daily Local News.
Death's Work
David M. McFarland
This community was greatly shocked this morning on learning of the death of David Meconkey MdFarland, which occurred last night. It was known that he had been ill for a few days, but nobody thought of his death as a probability. He had always been a sturdy, hearty looking man, and his friends supposed his chances for a long life were good, hence his sudden death is all the more shock to his friends. Mr Mcfarland has been one of the leading and most successful business men of West Chester for many years. He was a prominent and public spirited citizen, and was for many years past identified with almost every movement of importance for the betterment of West Chester. He was a member of the Committee on Invitations and Reception for the West Chester Centennial, but when the guests came today he was not among those who met them. His earthly labors were ended, and as his absence was noted inquiry brought only the sad information. "He is dead."
The deceased was a son o fthe later James and Mary McFarland, and was born in Tredyffrin township, Cehester county on May 6th, 1839. His monther was Mary Meconkey, a sister of David Meconkey, who years ago was a broker and money loaner in West Chester. James McFarland, his father, was a native of Montgomery county, but was of Scotch-Irish descent. In ewarly life he came to Chester Valley. In 1840, when the subject of this sketch was only a few months old, the family removed to Phoenixville. James McFarland continued to live the life of a farmer, but also conducted the "Fountain Inn" for five years. He mnext removed to Mecer county and engaged in the iron business, in which he invested all his money. He died April 19, 1849 [sic - should be 1850], when only 45 yeaars of age. There were six children besides David, Mrs. Meconkey, the mother, lived to the good old age of 86 and died February 18th, 1891 [sic- should be 1890.
David M. McFarland was reared on the farm and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he entered the office of his maternal uncle, David Meconkey, of West Chester. He showed such a natural adaptability to the business of a broker and money loaner that in a few years he was entrusted with all the business of the office.
David Meconkey died February 23, 1868, and the following month David M. McFarland succeeded to the large and lucrative business f the office, which he already understood in alll of its details. He continued to develop it as the years went by. The business of David Meconkey was conducted in the old Meconkey mansion, now a oart of the Assembly Building, and the banking room was that now occupied by the Dime Savings Bank. there Mr. Mcfarland continued until perhaps a dozen years ago, when he moved across the street to an office that had been fitted up for him in the rear of the Jefferis Building, where he continued until the time of his dath.
On September 11th, 1866, McFarlkand married Mary M. Rothrock, a sister of Dr. J. T. Rothrock, State Forestry Commissioner of Pennsylvania, and one of the most distinguished botanists in America. To Mr. and Mrs. Mcfarland, six children were born, three of whom survive their father. They are Charles T. McFarland, who for several years past has been engaged in the truck business and the raising of hot house grapes. He resides on South High street, West Chester. Elizabeth W., married to Isaac G. Reynolds, resides in a pretty cottage adjoining her brother, and her husband is associated with him in business uner the firm name of NMcFarland & Reynolds. The third child is George K. McFarland, Esq., who was last year admitted to practice at the Chester County Bar, and has been an assistant of his father in his extensive loan and brokerage business for several years past. Mrs. McFarland died several years ago.
In politis Mr. McFarland was a Republican and occasionally he took a part as a member of a Committee of Arrangements or Finance, but his life was preeminently devoted to business.He had charge of some of the largest estates ever settled in Chester County. During the lifetime of the Bailey brothers he had charge of their financial affairs and he settled up their estates when they died. The various members of the Scarlett family and som of the Brintons made him their banker and financier. He and the late William McCUllough had charge of the Meconkey estate, which was not finally settled until after the death of the wife of David Meconkey.
At the time that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company bought out the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad and changed the line that ran from West Chester to Malvern, making its terminus Frazer, Mr. McFarland rendered an importance service in securing rights of way.
He was regarded as an excellent judge of the value of real estate and was very often called upon to testify as an expert in Court as to the value of properties that were the subject of litigation. He had at one time or another owned a great deal of real estate in Chester County, and there is considerable of it left to compose that branch of his estate, but he sold much more a the agent, executor or administrator of others and probably no other name is to be found more frequently upon the records in the Recorder's office than that of David M. McFarland.
His illness was of short duration. He was taken sick on Sunday, October 1st, with kidney trouble and latterly had been very ill, but his death was not apprehended until last evening. He grew rapidly worse as the evening advanced, and before midnight his family knew that the end was near. He passed quietly away at about 2 o'clock this morning.
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East Coast Roots
1839 - 1899 (60 years)
