Robert G. McFarland, the clerk of the district court of Leavenworth, was born at Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 11, 1872, a son of James and Margaret (Dwyer) McFarland. His father was an Irishman, born in County Tyrone; he immigrated to America when he was twenty-one years of age and soon after enlisted in the United States army, and was assigned to the Fourth United States artillery. It was with that battery that he first came to Kansas, in 1854. During the Civil war he was wounded at Baton Rouge. Subsequently he was a member of the First United States infantry, and served in the army for eleven years. After leaving the service he was in the employ of the government for twenty-two years. Mr. McFarland died on Dec. 16, 1887, at the age of fifty-three. Mrs. McFarland came to Kansas in 1858, when she was a girl and received her education in the Leavenworth public schools. Since the death of her husband she resides in Leavenworth.

Robert G. McFarland was reared in Leavenworth and received his education in the public schools. While still young he learned the moulders' trade, completing his apprenticeship in 1892, and worked at that occupation for five years. In 1897 he accepted a position as clerk in the national headquarters of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Rock Island, Ill., where he remained for some time. On his return to Leavenworth Mr. McFarland entered actively into public life and politics, and in 1904 was elected clerk of the city court. Two years later he was elected clerk of the district court and has since served in that capacity. He is well known in his native town, popular with the residents and one of the rising young men of the city. He belongs to the Republican party and always works in its interests.

In 1903 Mr. McFarland married Mary Parson, of Leavenworth, and two children have been born to the union, Robert James and Mary Belle. Mr. McFarland is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles, and the Court of Honor.