Background
Mcfarland, David Ford was born on August 1, 1878 in Mansfield, Ohio, United States. Son of Robert S. and Mary J. (McBride) Mcfarland.
Mcfarland, David Ford was born on August 1, 1878 in Mansfield, Ohio, United States. Son of Robert S. and Mary J. (McBride) Mcfarland.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Kansas, 1900, Master of Arts, 1901. Fellow Yale University, 1902-1903, Master of Science, 1903, Doctor of Philosophy, 1909.
Instructor in chemistry, University of Kansas, 1900-1902, assistant professor, 1903-1910. Assistant in chemistry, Yale University, 1908-1909. Assistant professor applied chemistry, University of Illinois, 1910-1914, associate professor, 1914-1920.
Professor metallurgy and head of department, Pennsylvania State College, 1920-1945, acting dean School of Mine and Metallurgy, 1922 and 1927-1928, professor emeritus, 1945.
Assistant chemical Kansas Geological Survey, summers, 1899-1907. Assistant chemical and metallographist, Engineering Experiment Station, University of Illinois, summers 1910-1920.
Discoverer, with H. P. Cady, of helium in natural gas and methods of extracting it on laboratory scale.
Member American Society for Metals, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Alpha Chi Sigma, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Tau Omega. Member American Chemical Society, 1901-1928 (chairman University of Illinois Section 1919, Central Pennsylvania Section 1925).
Married Martha Elizabeth Pittenger, June 23, 1909. Children: George Robert, Mary Louise, Elizabeth Jean, David Ford.