Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



picture
Thomas Bard McFarland and Susie Briggs




Husband Thomas Bard McFarland 1

           Born: 19 Apr 1828 - near Mercersburg, Franklin Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 


         Father: John McFarland (1782-1856) 1 3
         Mother: Eliza Parker (1790-1845) 1 3


       Marriage: 1861 - Nevada City, Nevada Co, CA 4



Wife Susie Briggs 4

           Born:  - Cortlandt Co, NY
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 


Children
1 F Jennie H. McFarland 4

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 




General Notes: Husband - Thomas Bard McFarland


He was graduated from Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1846. Shortly afterwards he began the study of law with his cousin, Robert M. Bard, in Chambersburg. He was admitted to the Bar in October, 1849, by the celebrated Jeremiah S. Black, who was then the presiding judge of the judicial district which included Franklin County. He did not, however, practice his profession in Pennsylvania, but immediately made preparations to go to California, where he arrived in September, 1850, having crossed the plains. He followed the vocation of a miner for about three years, but did not meet with much success. In the winter of 1853-54, he began the practice of his profession at Nevada City, Nevada County, California, and continued in active practice there until 1861, when he was elected judge of the District Court. He had previously served as a member of the State Legislature from Nevada County, in 1856. He was elected and served a second term as district judge, at the end of which time he removed to Sacramento City, California, and there practiced about twelve years. During that time he served a term as Register of the United States Land Office, and was appointed to a second term, but shortly after resigned. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention that met in 1879, and framed the State Constitution. In 1882, Judge McFarland was appointed to fill a two years' vacancy on the Bench of the Superior Court, of Sacramento County, by Governor George C. Perkins. In 1884, he was elected for the full term of six years as judge of the Superior Court, but in 1886, he was elected to a twelve-year term as justice of the Supreme Court of California. He served out that term and was reelected to a second term. Altogether, Justice McFarland was on the Bench a period of over thirty-three years. He was originally a member of the old-time Whig party, but after the election of Lincoln, in 1860, he was an ardent Republican.

picture

Sources


1 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 423.

2 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 428.

3 —, Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905), Pg 100.

4 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 430.


Home | Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List

This Web Site was Created 15 Apr 2023 with Legacy 9.0 from Millennia