James McFarland

Jim was a grandson of Irish immigrants, the first-born son of William James McFarland, who was a Civil War veteran who was wounded and held as a prisoner of war. (His “Notable” story can be found here.) After Jim, his parents had six girls, which must have made for an interesting upbringing. It’s not clear whether Jim always lived at home as an adult, but he never married.

In his early 20s his occupation was a driver, but in 1890 he joined the Philadelphia Fire Department as a hoseman (and perhaps a driver) for Engine Company 4. He was on the job for almost four years when he answered his last call. 

It was the night of March 1, 1894 when a fire broke out in a five-story building at the northeast corner of 6th and Chestnut Streets, occupied by offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Drexel Estate, and the Dalsimer Shoe Company. Jim was severely injured and died as a result.

No newspaper coverage of the fire has been found, and no further details other than this obituary and his inclusion on the Memorial Wall at the Fireman’s Hall Museum at 147 North 2nd Street. He was the first to be buried in the family plot, followed by his parents, three sisters and a brother-in-law, plus his mother’s sister, Mary.