He was born in 1837 (7; 4 (31 in 1863)). He was born in Washington [County], Pennsylvania (4).
When he enlisted, he was a carpen[ter] (4).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8-1/2 inches tall, and had a florid complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (4).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 9 December 1863 in the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (1, 4, 7). He was enlisted for three years, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by Captain Wright (4).
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st (1, 6). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G (2). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (3). He was then absent, as a private (3). He was a private in company K (1, 9).
He was discharged on 2 February 1865 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 7). He was a private, in company K (9).
On 28 April 1865, he applied successfully for a pension (5, 6).
On 1 January 1878, he died (7). He was buried in St Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 45th and Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (7). His grave has a GAR headstone (7).
On 2 August 1888, his widow, Jane Craney, and a minor dependent, John Madden, both applied unsuccessfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (5, 6).
In 1890, his widow, Jane McFarland, was living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (8). He had suffered from rheumatism (8).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (John S McFarland)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (John S McFarland)
4 company K, third descriptive roll (John S McFarland)
5 pension index, by name (John S McFarland)
6 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (John S McFarland)
7 Pennsylvania veterans burial records, available on Ancestry (transcribed 3 April 2012) (JS McFarland)
8 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, ward 26, enumeration district 129, page 2 (image 325 of 413 on Ancestry) (Jane widow of John S McFarland)
9 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John S McFarland)