John Menzies Macfarlane
Scottish Latter-day Saint hymnwriter, choir director and civic leader
About John Menzies Macfarlane
Lived 1833 – 1892 (aged 58). John Menzies Macfarlane was a British and Scottish hymnwriter and mormon militia.
John Menzies Macfarlane (October 11, 1833 – June 4, 1892) was a Scottish-born Latter-day Saint hymnwriter, choir director and civic leader who spent most of his life in Utah Territory.
Life Macfarlane was born in Stirling, Scotland. He came to Utah Territory in the early 1850s and settled in Cedar City in 1853. In 1852, Macfarlane married Ann Chatterley. Multiple sources identified him as one of the many Iron County Militia men involved in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Macfarlane served as superintendent of schools from 1866 to 1868 for Iron County, Utah,
Among Macfarlane's hymns are "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains" and the music to "Dearest Children, God is Near You".
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Important facts
People in John Menzies Macfarlane's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Menzies Macfarlane?
Scottish Latter-day Saint hymnwriter, choir director and civic leader (1833-1892)
When was John Menzies Macfarlane born?
John Menzies Macfarlane was born on 11 October 1833 in Stirling.
When did John Menzies Macfarlane die?
John Menzies Macfarlane died on 4 June 1892 in Utah.
What was John Menzies Macfarlane's occupation?
John Menzies Macfarlane was a hymnwriter and mormon militia.
What nationality was John Menzies Macfarlane?
John Menzies Macfarlane was British and Scottish.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: John Menzies Macfarlane
· DBpedia: John Menzies Macfarlane
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Menzies Macfarlane. https://biography.guide/john-menzies-macfarlane/
MLA: "John Menzies Macfarlane." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-menzies-macfarlane/.
Chicago: "John Menzies Macfarlane." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-menzies-macfarlane/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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