Auction house description:
McFarlane was a prominent citizen of Hollidaysburg, Pa. McFarlane was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Women's Medical College, upon moving to Blair Co. he became the editor of the Democratic Standard and Huntington Gazette in 1839, also built and owned a foundry west of Duncansville, Pa., making railway wheels and other items; served as a Judge in Blair County from 1846-48, president of Blair Co. Protection Mutual Fire Insurance Co., member and officer of the Hollidaysburg I.O.O.F. An accident at his foundry, in which a large piece of metal fell on him caused his death in 1852, and this plaster is likely a death mask remodeled to appear to be done from life.