ALEXANDER McFARLAND, Chicago, Illinois.
The son of a stationary engineer, Alexander McFarland was born in Dundas, Canada, June 28, 1857. After receiving a good common school education, he worked two years with a surveying party, and then entered upon his railroad career as a wiper for the Hamilton Northern Railroad. He was advanced to fireman in the spring of 1878, and after firing three years and a half left to accept a similar position on the Michigan Central. While with this road he was promoted to engineer in the fall of 1881, and ran an engine two years, going then to the Chicago & Grand Trunk, where he ran one year. He took service with the Erie in 1880, and has since run a yard engine at Chicago, where he is a member of Division 302, B. of L. E., and owns a fine cottage residence. Mr. McFarland was married January 29, 1883, to Miss Jennie Sellers, of Genesse County, Michigan, and they have an interesting family of six children.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.