Miami Union
August 25, 1898

Sketch of Mrs. Olive McFarland

Olive McFarland, third daughter of A. L. and Marie McKinney, was born in Crawforsville, Montgomery Co., Ind., February 21, 1850. On the seventeenth day of August, 1898, her earth life closed and she entered upon her heavenly, her immortal life beyond the reach of sorrow, pain and death.

In September, 1853, her father with the family moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio. In September, 1857, the family moved to this city. Here Olive grew to womanhood. On July 28, 1875, she and W. H. McFarland were married at her father's home by Rev. J. P. Watson. In November, 1876, she and her husband moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Mr. McFarland was employed as compositor in the Christian Publishing house. On May 13, 1876, there came to her home a darling boy, but in six brief months he was taken from her home to the home of the pure and the blessed. This was her first great sorrow. February 21, 1878, there came to her home a daughter whom she named Lille, who is now left an orphan indeed.

Early in 1880 her husband's health failed him, and gradually, calmly, patiently and heroically, he drew up to the river of death and on August 21, 1880 he fell into the last sleep. This was her second and lasting sorrow. From that time on for 18 years tomorrow, the record of her life may be told in few words. It was so purely unselfish as is possible to human nature. She gave it wholly to her daughter, Lillie, her father, mother and family. To their welfare it was unmixed love and devotion. Nor was her sympathy and unselfishness confined to these alone but went out to the suffering and sorrowing of those she knew.

In the year of 1872 she united with the Christian Church of this city. Those who knew her best loved her most.

If blessed are the merciful, then is she blessed; if blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, then she is blessed; if they who feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick, shall hear the sweet voice, saying "Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," then shall hear that voice of welcome and enter that immortal kingdom. - Daily Record.