John Milton Farland
John M. Farland was born on September
19, 1835 at Upper Lisle, New York. He came to Michigan at the
age of 19 to engage in the "painting and decorating business.
John settled in the small community of Dearbornville (later shortened
to Dearborn), and quickly established himself in the local community.
He married Sophia Elizabeth Howard in 1856. She was the daughter
of Edward C. Howard, an influential "Dearbornite". Thus
John Farland was related by marriage to Shephard L. Howard, also
of company D.
The Carte de Viste at left was taken in Detroit by J.J.
Barnwell, probably in 1865 When John was with the 11th.
John Farland was 27 years old in the summer of 1862. Before
the war, John was an employee of the Wayne County Clerk. Curtis
(p. 42) indicates that he was employed in "copying".
He was also engaged as a teacher in Dearborn.
John was instrumental in raising Company D. For his efforts,
Farland was appointed as the First Lieutenant of the company.
He was mustered into service with Company D on August 13, 1862.
Lt. Farland's commission was back-dated to July 27, 1862 - which
is probably the date he began recruiting for the company. He was
so well liked by his men that he was presented a sword by the
enlisted men of company D.
Possibly as a result of his pre-war experience in the County
Clerks office, John served as Acting Assistant Quartermaster,
1st Corps from March 20, 1863 to May 15, 1863.
John Farland was wounded in the groin by a fall on July 1,
1863. The severity of the wound is not known, but it may well
have been excruciatingly painful. The State Adjutant General's
records indicate that John was taken prisoner at Gettysburg on
July 1, 1863. If so, the duration of his captivity was extremely
short. During the retreat, Lee's army left behind many prisoners
who were unfit for travel. Curtis,
who was quite meticulous makes no mention of Farland being captured.
Due to the Death of Captain Speed at Gettysburg, Company D
was without a commanding officer. John Farland was mustered as
Captain of Company D on August 30, 1863. His commission was to
date from July 4, 1863, even though he did not return to duty
with the Regiment until sometime in August.
On March 20, 1864, John Farland requested and was granted a
"sick furlough" to return to Michigan. His illness was
severe, as documented in a letter from Farland to Albert Edwards
(now in a private collection). Farland either resigned or was
discharged on account of his disability on July 9, 1864.
John Farland could not keep out of the action for very long,
however. He helped to recruit company C of the 30th Michigan,
and was its Captain. His commission was dated November 28, 1864,
although he wasn't mustered until December 28, 1864. He did not
serve with the 30th for long, however.
John Farland was appointed Major of the 11th Michigan Infantry
when it was reorganized in the spring of 1865. This time his commission
was dated March 1, 1865; he was mustered on March 16, 1865. John
was again promoted, this time to Lieutenant Colonel on March 16,
1865. He was mustered at this new rank on June 16, 1865.
John Farland's military service ended when the 11th Michigan
was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee. on September 16, 1865.
John Farland never forgot his
friends in the 24th. He attended the Dedication of the 24th Michigan's
Monument at "Michigan Day at Gettysburg",
June 12th-14th, 1889.
After the war, John Farland was prominent in Republican politics
at both the state and county level. Reportedly, his home was visited
by the likes of Senator Zechariah Chandler, Governor J. G. Bagley,
and even General Grant!
Although the penciled notation on the back of the photograph
at right indicates that it is c. 1880, the author believes it
to date from approximately 1875. The photograph below was taken
within a few years of the one at left.
He became the Dearborn Postmaster in 1880, a position which
he held until the Cleveland administration (he was replaced by
a democrat). For at least a portion of this time, the Dearborn
post office was located in the basement of his home on Mason Street
He was also the "receiver of government money" and
was a United States land agent. According to his obituary, he
made frequent trips to Washington "in the interests of companies
that were being promoted." He was also reportedly maintained
a number of other business interests.
Later in life John suffered from
Bright's disease, which would eventually claim his life. John
Milton Farland died at 2 o'clock P.M. on July 16, 1899. He was
64 years old. Funeral services were in his home on Mason Street
in Dearborn. He is buried in Woodmere Cemetery. He left a widow
(Sophia) and five surviving children (Edward H., Charles H. Albert,
Miss Helen Farland, and Mrs. H. C. Bieber).
John Farland fought with the 24th Michigan at the battles
of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Locust Grove.
He was with the Regiment on the Mud March, Westmoreland Expedition,
the Campaign of Maneuvers, Mine Run, and the Reconnaissance to
Raccoonville.
Farland images courtesy of the Dearborn Historical Museum. Photographic copies by author. Used with permission.
Last Updated: 05/16/99
Webmaster: Rob Richardson
robr@advnet.net
All original material Copyright 1998, 1999 Rob Richardson