George A. McFarland (1858-1938) President of the State Normal School at Valley City, North Dakota, for twenty seven years. He was born at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, the son of Johnson and Isabelle (Watson) McFarland, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His paternal grandfather James McFarland, came to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 1843. Mr. McFarland was an only son with one sister. He attended public school and high school at Bedford, Ohio and Hiram College, receiving his B.S. Degree in 1883 and M.A. Degree in 1886. He was Superintendent of Schools at Scotland, South Dakota in 1884-1887, and a member of the faculty for 2½ years at Madison State College in South Dakota. In 1892 he came to Valley City as president of the newly organized State Normal School. In August 17, 1884 Mr. McFarland was married to Duella Harris of Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Jacob Harris of an old colonial family connected with the Rittenhouse family. The children of this marriage are: Elsie -Mrs. J. R. McLean; Genevive - Mrs. E. B. Cox; Eugene H. married Cora Thronson; R. Kenneth married Ellen Brolander; Dorothy - Mrs. H. W. Thomas and Pauline- Mrs. H. H. Fisher.
Mr. McFarland founded the summer school program in 1902 which was adopted by the other state schools. He suggested the chautauqua to the Valley City Commercial Club; it was organized and proved to be an outstanding success. He and his family were active members of the Congregational Church where he served as deacon for many years. After completing twenty seven years of service at Valley City in 1918 Dr. McFarland went to Bismarck as Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction in January 1919. He then went to Williston, North Dakota, as Superintendent of Public Schools. In 1922 Dr. McFarland was called to the presidency of the new State Teachers College of Minot, North Dakota, a position he held until his death in 1938.
"The service performed by this man of vision and power is unique in this State. He virtually built two great institutions of learning. His long years of service, his forceful personality, his remarkable devotion to the cause of education, as well as his thorough preparation, made it possible for him to influence and inspire the teachers of this State with the love of teaching and with the belief in their profession more than any other person ever did."
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 146