ROBERT S. MACFARLANE AND FAMILY:

Robert Macfarlane was born in Minneapolis on January 15, 1899, the son of Walter Kilgore Macfarlane and Blanche Mae (Stetson) Macfarlane. The family moved to Seattle soon thereafter. Following his education in the Seattle public schools, Macfarlane entered Brown University, but left later that year (1916) to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He rose rapidly from seaman to lieutenant, junior grade, his rank when he left to return to school in 1919. He entered the University of Washington Law School, from which he graduated (cum laude) in 1922.

Macfarlane practiced law in Seattle from 1922 through 1930. He left private practice to serve stints as assistant deputy prosecutor (1922) and chief deputy prosecutor (1923-1926) of King County, Washington. In 1930 he was elected to the King County Superior Court, serving as a judge until 1934 when he resigned to accept a job with the Northern Pacific Railway Company (NP).

Macfarlane worked for the NP and its successor company for the remainder of his career, serving in the following capacities: assistant western counsel (1934-1937), western counsel (1937-1940), assistant to the president, Seattle (1940-1943), vice-president and assistant to the president, Seattle (1943-1947), director of NP and various subsidiaries (1945-1970), executive vice--president (1947-1950), president (1951-1966), chairman and chief executive officer (1966-1969). Following the 1970 merger that created Burlington Northern Inc. (BN), Macfarlane was appointed chairman emeritus (1970-1974).

In addition to his NP-related work, Macfarlane served on the boards or governing bodies of a number of other organizations, including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce (president, 1946), Seattle school board (1934-1950), St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (1957- ), Northern States Power Company (1951-1974), Association of American Railroads (1951- ), St. Paul Boy Scout Council (1953), First Bank Stock Corporation (Minneapolis), First National Bank of St. Paul (1951-1971), First Trust Company (St. Paul, 1951-1971), Pacific National Bank (Seattle), Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company (St. Paul), Western Life Insurance Company (Helena, Montana, 1938-1960), Railway Express Agency, and the Transportation Association of America.

Macfarlane married Vivian Clemans in 1925, and they had four children: Anne (Mrs. R. W. Jones, Jr.), Myra Clemans (Mrs. B. G. Griggs, Jr.), Robert Stetson, Jr., and Vivian Karen "Vicki" (Bruns). Macfarlane died in St. Paul on March 9, 1982.

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The papers consist of biographical information, general correspondence, subject files, speeches, publications, real estate and personal estate files, financial files, photographs, clippings, and other printed matter documenting Mac-farlane's business and family life through six decades.

General correspondence:

This chronologically arranged series of correspondence (undated and 1920s-1977) is the heart of the collection and bulks from the 1947-1966 period, with 1950 being the year most heavily documented. A large portion of the correspondence consists of carbon copies of Macfarlane's outgoing letters, making it apparent that the series was largely maintained by his office secretary. Despite that fact, most of the correspondence pertains more to his family and personal life than it does to railroad and other business matters. To find correspondence dealing predominately with railroad affairs, one should consult the President's Office Subject Files in the records of the Northern Pacific Railway Company (also held by MHS).

Family correspondence is largely with his wife and children, as well as with parents and siblings. Included are birthday greetings; correspondence with Vivian during her frequent travels visiting her relatives and children (while they were away at school); rail travel arrangements for Vivian and children; school and college-related correspondence with children including advice, encouragement, and criticism; family news exchanged with brothers (Kilgore and Woodburn) and sister (Margretta Hillman); and miscellaneous family finances. Correspondence with business friends and associates concerns the organizations in which he was active; arrangements for business and social meetings; clubs and other memberships; birthday wishes and congratulations on promotions and appointments; travel and scheduling arrangements for business trips; and securities, insurance, and banking transactions.

Correspondence from the 1920s and 1930s is especially heavy with intra-family letters. Communications with his parents, who managed real property in the Illahee development near Seattle, is largely concerned with real estate and other financial matters. Letters with brothers Kilgore (a New York stockbroker) and Woodburn (a Standard Oil supply manager in Honolulu) provide a good deal of Macfarlane family news. There are a number of letters from and to Vivian. This period also supplies much documentation on Macfarlane's civic and social activities, especially his involvement in the Elks and the American Legion, at whose events he was a frequent speaker. Macfarlane's first election campaign for King County Superior Court figures prominently in the 1930 correspondence, and his decision to leave the bench for the NP is documented in that for 1934. There is some correspondence in 1936 regarding the University of Washington's offer to make him law school dean. His chairmanship of the Community Fund is evidenced in the 1938 papers.

Business correspondence starts to bulk larger in the 1940s with Macfarlane's movement through the NP executive ranks. There are a number of letters regarding his promotions and career decisions. The family-related correspondence includes several identifiable groups: letters from Vivian and Mimi (Myra) while in the Southwest for Mimi's health (1940); letters from Vivian and Anne vacationing in New Orleans (April 1941); domestic war preparations and letter from Woodburn describing Pearl Harbor attack (1941); letters from Vivian during trips to Los Angeles to care for her mother (March, Nov. 1943); letters to Anne and the Smith College staff regarding her schooling, especially curriculum and health matters (1944); letters from Vivian and Anne while travelling together in the East (1945); Vivian's surgery and convalescence (1948); and letters from Vivian while attending Mimi who was sick at the Scripps School (Claremont, Calif.) infirmary (1949).

In 1950 the Macfarlanes left Seattle for St. Paul, and correspondence for that year documents that activity, as well as Robbie's (Robert, Jr.) schooling at Princeton and Anne's marriage. Other family correspondence from the 1950s concerns the death of Vivian's mother, Maude Clemans (1951); Mimi's marriage (1952); Vicki's travels in Spain (1955-1959); Robbie's divinity studies in Edinburgh (1956); and Robbie's marriage (1958).

Correspondence quantity decreases rapidly after 1957. Correspondence during the 1960-1965 period is almost exclusively with the children, all of whom have married, and with Macfarlane's siblings. Two events related in the 1960 files are the marriage of Vicki to Juan-Jose Martinez Hidalgo of Barcelona, and the ordination of Robbie into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. Correspondence in 1967 is concerned with Robbie obtaining a position with the church's Board of National Missions and his subsequent purchase of a house in Larchmont, New York. The 1969 papers document the death of Juan-Jose in an automobile accident and its impact on the Macfarlane household.

In the 1970s most correspondence is again with children and siblings and is concerned with sharing general family news. A good deal of the correspondence (1972-1974) concerns Robbie's new position as director of the Foundation Funds of Norton Simon, Inc. in Los Angeles. In 1974 there is information on Simon's attacks on BN (he was a board member) and the railroad industry, including some of his Congressional testimony.

Another frequent correspondent (1930s-1960s) is Dietrich Schmitz, president of the Washington Mutual Savings Bank (Seattle), and a lifelong friend of Macfarlane.

Subject files:

Correspondence regarding speeches, 1937-1948. This file is largely 1946 materials, concerning speeches made during Macfarlane's tenure as president of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The letters include his requests for speech data from others (usually NP personnel), scheduling logistics, and congratulations and comments following speeches.

"Merrymac" correspondence, 1940-1942. Letters, photographs, and title papers regarding Macfarlane's 30-foot cabin cruiser.

Hotchkiss School correspondence, 1949. Letters and financial statements regarding Robbie's attendance at this preparatory school in Lakeville, Connecticut, especially correspondence with headmaster George van Santvoord regarding Robbie's progress.

U.S. Army Commission correspondence, 1951-1954. During the Korean War Macfarlane was commissioned a colonel in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, serving as director of its northwestern region. The file includes official correspondence, telegrams, and forms.

Trip to British Isles, 1955-1956 (2 folders). Largely correspondence with people Macfarlane met in England and Scotland during a 1956 trip, especially British rail officials and investment bankers controlling NP securities. A frequent correspondent is Arthur M. Anderson, executive committee chairman of J. P. Morgan and Company, New York, who helped him arrange meetings with various investment bankers.

Medical correspondence, 1955-1968. The file is largely composed of annual letters from James C. Cain, a Mayo Clinic internist, summarizing examination results and officially certifying Macfarlane's health.

Trip to Peru, 1956-1957. Correspondence regarding a business trip to inspect American Smelting and Refining Company operations, much of it with president Kenneth C. Brownell.

House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 1966-1970. A small group of session and trustees minutes, along with some correspondence regarding Macfarlane's pledging.

Speech files:

This series consists of the texts of many Macfarlane speeches (undated and 1916, 1920s-1968) delivered throughout his life, though they bulk largest during his railroad career, especially from the 1950s and 1960s. The speeches were delivered to different NP constituent groups (including the board of directors); to civic, business, and shippers' groups in cities along the NP route; to various industry groups around the county; and to educational, fraternal, charitable, and religious groups. Speeches were often delivered at a variety of special occasions including Flag days, Armistice and Memorial days, commencements, and Republican political events.

Railroad speech topics--the largest category--include regulation and competition, general railroad and NP boosting, rail industry problems, freight rates, employee safety, testimonials (especially at retirement dinners), and basic information on current NP activities and plans. Other topics include the economic and industrial development of the Pacific Northwest, education (especially in Seattle and Washington state), patriotism, community service, and legal and constitutional issues (largely to law schools and bar associations).

Published works:

This folder contains a few published articles (1941-1946) by Macfarlane, which appeared in diverse forums and include various topics. Most are taken from speeches.

Real estate papers:

The six folders of chronologically arranged real estate papers (19081966) consist of contract and title documents, with supporting correspondence, pertaining to residential lots in the Illahee development of Kitsap County (Washington), across Puget Sound from Seattle. Macfarlane's father, the original owner and developer of this tract, marketed lots under a family legal entity called Northwest Realty Trust. The files document Macfarlane's management of ongoing purchase contracts as administrator of the trust following his father's death. There are also documents from miscellaneous real property in other places.

Estate files:

The four folders provide miscellaneous documentation (1894-1972) on three separate Macfarlane family estates. The first contains wills and property inventories relating to Macfarlane and his wife. Two folders contain real property deeds, court documents, personal property inventories, and correspondence concerning the estate of Myra Post Mackey (Macfarlane's aunt) of Minneapolis, for which Macfarlane served as executor. The last folder contains some financial data regarding the H. A. Stetson estate, also administered by Macfarlane.

Financial files:

Law partnership, 1927-approximately 1930. Monthly financial statements of the Seattle law firm of Schwellenbach, Merrick and Macfarlane, as well as an undated inventory of their property and a draft agreement on property disposition at the time of the partnership's dissolution.

Stock investments, 1925-1973. The papers consist of brokers' statements, reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, memoranda on acquisitions and dispositions, correspondence, and a few stock certificates.

Municipal bond investments, 1969-1976. Personal memoranda and statements from the First National Bank of St. Paul documenting Macfarlane's municipal bond holdings.

Grandchildren's savings accounts, 1970-1976. Statements from the First National Bank of St. Paul regarding savings accounts established by Macfarlane in the names of his grandchildren.

Federal income tax returns, 1926-1971. A complete set of tax returns, accompanied by supporting statements, memoranda, and background data.

Washington and Minnesota income tax returns, 1932, 1950-1971. Content similar to federal returns, though with fewer supporting papers. Only one return (1932) is for Washington state.

Medical insurance benefits, 1950-1969. Miscellaneous statements of medical charges incurred by Macfarlane family members, and correspondence regarding such charges and medical benefits.

Social Security and Medicare acounts, 1963-1969. A few statements, forms, and letters regarding social security status and numbers, and Medicare claims, of Macfarlane family members.

Seattle houses, 1926-1939. Correspondence, legal documents, and financial statements regarding the acquisition of two houses, and the remodeling done to each.

House at 965 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, 1951, 1963. Papers similar to those above pertaining to their St. Paul residence.

Lease at 740 River Drive, St. Paul, 1966-1975. Legal agreements and correspondence pertaining to the apartment leased by the Macfarlanes after selling their Summit Avenue house.

Miscellaneous financial papers, 1929-1976. A few Macfarlane family financial memoranda, statements, and letters unrelated to any of the files enumerated above.

Pocket diary:

This small volume is Macfarlane's appointment diary from his senior year in law school (1921-1922), providing a record of his daily activities.

Elkogram:

The Elkogram was the newsletter of the Grand Lodge and Seattle Lodge No. 92 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This April 1927-March 1928 run of issues coincides with Macfarlane's term as Exalted Ruler. Each issue carries a letter from Macfarlane to the members.

Newspaper clippings:

The photocopied newspaper clippings (undated and 1915-1982) provide a very full record of the newsworthy events in Macfarlane's life. Especially well documented are his many career transitions as private practice lawyer, public prosecutor, judge, and NP lawyer and executive. His Seattle voluntary activities during the 1920s-1940s are also well documented, including his activities on behalf of the Elks and the American Legion, the University of Washington Alumni Association (1933), the Seattle School Board (1934-1950), and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce (1946).

Other aspects of Macfarlane's life documented in the clippings include a few high school activities (especially debating); naval career; public speaking engagements; his judicial decisions and pronouncements; his thoughts on wartime rail service (1940s) and on the new streamlined NP diesel engines (1946); and activities of his wife and children, including his engagement to Vivian Clemans (1925). The clippings are sparse after 1947, with only a few postdating 1953. Most material from the 1950s on documents his family, especially the marriages of his daughters.

Photographs:

The folder contains 55 photographic prints, nearly all black-and-white, and most either 8x10-inch or 5x7-inch in size. Apart from a baby picture of Macfarlane, the photographs begin in the 1910s and become voluminous in the 1950s with his accession to the NP presidency. Most photographs depict Macfarlane in business situations and at business social functions, including NP inspection trips, speaking before various railroad groups, Chicago Traffic Club receptions, and receiving numerous awards. There are a few photographs showing him with his wife and other family members. There is also a color print of a 1969 oil portrait of Macfarlane.

Certificates:

The 13 certificates (1932-1970) were presented to Macfarlane by corporate boards, the U.S. Treasury Department (savings bond drives), community groups, and the military, and recognize various of his accomplishments or certify his election to various offices. Other large-format certificates are cataloged separately; consult the card catalog for their location.

Walter Kilgore Macfarlane daybook:

The volume is a daybook kept by Macfarlane's father, Walter Kilgore Macfarlane, 1919-1938. The volume records transactions relating to his real estate business in Seattle.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Robert S Macfarlane and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 13,230

Processing Information:

Processed by: Dennis E. Meissner, December 1986.

Catalog ID number: 990017156220104294

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Robert S. Macfarlane's files as president of the Northern Pacific Railway Company are found in the President's records of the Northern Pacific Railway Company in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscript collections.

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Administration of estates.

Admission to the bar.

Community leadership.

Community organization -- Washington -- Seattle.

Education -- United States.

Families.

Finance, Personal.

Investments.

Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- Washington (State)

Presbyterian Church -- United States.

Railroads -- Management.

Real estate business -- Washington (State) -- Illahee.

Real estate business -- Washington (State) -- Seattle.

Weddings.

Persons:

Anderson, Arthur Marvin, 1880-1966, author.

Brownell, Kenneth C., author.

Cain, James C., author.

Macfarlane, Irene Vivian Clemans, 1902- author.

Macfarlane, Robert S. (Robert Stetson), 1899-1982 -- Homes and haunts.

Macfarlane, Robert Stetson, 1932- author.

Macfarlane, Walter Kilgore, 1900- author.

McFarland family.

Schmitz, Dietrich, 1890-1970, author.

Van Santvoord, George, author.

Organizations:

Burlington Northern Inc.

Elks (Fraternal order). Grand Lodge.

Elks (Fraternal order). Seattle Lodge No. 92 (Seattle, Wash.)

Hotchkiss School.

House of Hope Presbyterian Church (Saint Paul, Minn.)

Northern Pacific Railway Company.

United States. Army. Transportation Corps.

Places:

Saint Paul (Minn.)

Seattle (Wash.)

Document Types:

Photographs.

Speeches.

Tax returns.

Occupations:

Businessmen.

Executives.

Judges.

Lawyers.

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