By John A. Macfarlane, as reported at the Macfarlane Family Reunion October 21, 2005, with additions by Crystal Macfarlane North.
Daniel was born in Stirling, Scotland on June 21, 1837. He is the son of John Macfarlane and Annabella Sinclair. He had one older brother, John Menzies Macfarlane and one older sister Ann Macfarlane. At the age of 8, on November 15, 1845, he was baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was nine years old when his father died. After moving to Glasgow at age 11, he left for America with his mother, brother, sister and two cousins (Gillespie) at age 15. They traveled with the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company under the direction of Isaac C. Haight in June of 1852. The family sailed on the "Ellen Marie" and the "Kennebec". They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 3, 1852. The Macfarlane family and Gillespie cousins found themselves in the Sessions Settlement (Bountiful).
Daniel's Mother Annabelle married Isacc C. Haight on October 16, 1853. Isaac had planned on settling in Salt Lake city, but President Brigham Young assigned him to take charge of the Iron Works in Cedar City, Utah. Obedient to the Prophet, he moved his wives to Cedar City. There he began building a home and handling athe affairs of the Deseret Iron Company. Daniel moved to Cedar City with his mother and brother at age 16. As Daniel grew and matured he showed a special gift for landscaping and gardening. He was very meticulous and organized with his work and because of this many desired his work.
Daniel was a perfectionist in every way: in his work, his personal appearance, in public service and cultural activities. Daniel was blessed with a marvelous bass voice, and was in many local theatrical productions and choirs. He was offered the opportunity to sing with the Metropolitan Opera Company, but was persuaded not to leave Cedar City. He was a gifted actor: always performing magnificently. He did have a fiery temper which created problems for him at times.
He married Temperance Keturah Haight in 1862 at age 24, when Keturah, or Turie, was 17. This made him a son-in-law of Isaac C. Haight, as well as a step-son. They had 12 children, 8 of whom lived to adulthood. In 1879, at age 42 Daniel married Elizabeth (Lizzy) Ford who was 19. They had 9 children, all of whom lived to adulthood.
Daniel was the postmaster in Cedar City; he and Keturah operated the post office in their home for twenty years. He also was the City Recorder, a member of the Cedar City Council, an excellent gardener and orchardist. During General Conference in Salt Lake City on October 6, 1876, names were read of the brotheren who were to serve missions. Daniel was one of them. He served a mission to Scotland. This left Keturah home with 6 small children to support, but Daniel was obedient to the call. He served a mission for two years even though it was difficult. Keturah continued to operate the post Office and teach school while he was away. A seven year old daughter, Keturah, died while he was away.
Daniel had a brush with death in a rollover accident in a wagon in which the wagon driver, A. M. Findley, was killed. Both men were thrown from the wagon.
Daniel suffered a severe head injury, from which he never fully recovered. This took place in February 1891 when he was 54 years old. Daniel also served time in the Utah penitentiary for "unlawful cohabitation". He died on October 23, 1914 at the age of 77