COLONEL JOHN
McFARLANE
BORN at Gartmore in 1846, and educated at Dalmary School
there, and St. Enoch School and the Andersonian University in Glasgow, Colonel
McFarlane began business life at the age of sixteen with his brother Robert at
Helensburgh. Afterwards he spent four years in a grain store in Glasgow. Then in
1869 he began business for himself as a grain merchant in North Street with his
brother Malcolm, who retired some twenty-four years ago. The firm had a branch
in Coleraine, and a number of agencies in West Africa, and at the present hour
has far-spreading interests and connections. More recently his firm secured the
business and premises of Henry Lawson & Sons, job masters, Berkeley Street,
which has been greatly extended and improved. Colonel McFarlane began public
life as a reforming member of the Barony Parochial Board, and he entered the
Town Council in 1884 as a representative of the old twelfth ward, now the
fourteenth. There he has served the city for some twenty-three years, of which
he was a Magistrate for four; and as convener of the Statute Labour Committee he
had the honour of laying the foundation stones of three bridges - Millbrae
Bridge over the Cart, Rutherglen Bridge over the Clyde, and Kirklee Bridge over
the Kelvin. Among other work of city improvement in which he has had a chief
share has been the widening of Sandyford Street, Woodlands Road, and Pollokshaws
Road, and he had a large share in the mapping out of the city into new divisions
some years ago. He is also a member of the Clyde Trust, and Preceptor of
Hutchesons' Hospital.
His first commission in the Volunteers dates from 11th April,
1872. After three years in the 1st Dunbarton regiment he joined the 1st
Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers, in which he rose step by step to the position of
Colonel Commandant. An enthusiast for the cause, he was the originator of
"marches out," and among memorable exploits he conducted the famous midnight
march to Lenzie and the three days' march to Gartmore and round Loch Katrine. He
has also been the organiser of military tournaments on occasions of public
rejoicing, and notably of the grand tournament in Queen's Park on the occasion
of their Majesties' coronation. In 1906 he was decorated by the King with
membership of the Victorian Order, and though he latterly resigned from the
Volunteers he retains his uniform and rank, as well as enthusiasm for
Territorial affairs.
An enthusiastic horseman and shot, he still finds time to
attend to many social interests. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and
of the Merchants' House, and a past President of the Perthshire Benevolent
Society. He is also a Freemason, a Free Gardener, a Forester, and a member of
the Glasgow Liberal Club and the Royal Clyde Yacht Club. He is a keen
politician, and has been President of Glasgow Central Liberal Association.
Colonel McFarlane married in 1872, Marion Buchanan, daughter
of William McCallum, portioner, Glasgow, and has three sons and three daughters.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)