John W. McFarland was the son of Joseph McFarland and Margaret White. According to his parents' bible, he was born April 3, 1788 in what must be Greene County, Tennessee, because his parents left Virginia sometime before January 16, 1784 when his father first purchased land in Tennessee. His father purchased land in Greene County, Tennessee by September 20, 1787. "The History of Adams County" is incorrect when they state that he was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It is unlikely that his middle name is Arthur since he had a twin brother by that name. The only place lising his middle name as Arthur is the same bible reference, which was published in the DAR magazine. It would appear whomever subitted the record did not realize there were twins, and seing the names John A. and Arthur with the same date collapsed them, explaining why Arthur is missing from the bible record. Joseph A. died on July 24, 1840 in Adams County, Illinois as indicated on his tombstone. His tombstone says he was 51 years, 3 months, and 22 days old. Based on the known birth date, this age is incorrect. He is buried in Hebron Cemetery, Adams County, Illinois. In 1811 he moved to Greene County, Ohio with his parents' family and worked as a farmer. He served in the war of 1812 under General Harrison. He married his first cousin, Rebecca McFarland in Harrison County, Kentucky around 1813.
Rebecca McFarland, daughter of William McFarland and Rebecca White, was born July 22, 1793, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Shortly after her birth, her family migrated to Tennessee, and then in 1796 they moved to near Cynthiana, north of Lexington, Harrison County, Kentucky. She died June 1, 1867, as recorded on her tombstone, in Adams County, Illinois, and is buried alongside her husband.

John and Rebecca had 13 children, only 12 of which are known:

William Madison (12 Aug 1814 - 11 Sep 1896) m. Eliza McFarland
Joseph Hamilton (21 Feb 1816 - 1 Jan 1892) m. Amanda Willard
Rebecca Ann (27 Jul 1817 - aft 7 Jan 1892 and bef 1910) m1. Dec 1836, John Williard, m2. 19 Dec 1865, Theodore Phillip Crum
Margaret Jane (30 Oct 1819 - 20 Jul 1872)
Emily (4 Aug 1821 - bef 7 Jan 1892)
Priscilla Ann (9 Mar 1823 - 6 May 1901) m. Archibald Powers
Doctor Benjamin (6 Apr 1825 - 6 Jan 1878)
Sarah Florence (6 Apr 1826 - bef 7 Jan 1892)
Robert V. (30 Jun 1828 - bef 7 Jan 1892)
Catherine Eliza (17 Feb 1831 - bef 7 Jan 1892)
Daniel Green (26 Sep 1834 - 27 Jun 1905) m. 19 July 1855, Martha McFarland (1834 - 1895), dau. of Arthur McFarland (1788)
Frances C. (Sarilda) (6 Oct 1836 - bef 7 Jan 1892)

The entire family migrated to an area two and a half miles northeast of Camp Point in Adams County, Illinois on October 8, 1832. Rebecca is found there in the 1850 Federal census at age 57 and 800 acres of land. She states she was born in Virginia. The following children are listed: Margaret J, age 31, born in Ohio, Emily, age 27, born in Ohio, Benjamin, age 26, a farmer with 800 acres, born in Ohio, Catherine E, age 19, born in Ohio, and Daniel G, age 16, a farmer, born in Illinois.