The Marland Family

Alfred Marland

From the Ponca City Courier dated Thursday, April 2, 1914

Alfred Marland of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania died at the apartments of his son, E.W. Marland in the Arcade Hotel in this city at 2 o'clock this morning of paralysis and complications-aged 77 years.

Mr. Marland came from his home almost six weeks ago to visit his son with partly formed plans in his mind of locating here and becoming a citizen of Ponca City. he was apparently in his usual robust health and was delighted with the town and country, enjoying with boyish enthusiasm the long automobile rides through the oil fields and the farms surrounding the city.

Four weeks ago, without premonition or warning he was stricken with complete paralysis of one side of the body, since which time he has been practically helpless with little chance of recovery, though the best medical skill, trained nurses, and the devoted care of his son and daughter have left nothing undone that could be done.

Mr. Marland was born in Ashton Underlyne, England March 2, 1837: came to this country in 1859 and located in Pittsburgh. He was a machinist by trade and superintended some of the largest iron and steel mills in that city until 1874, when he established a mill of his own, which he operated with great success until ten years ago, when he retired from active business on account of advancing age.

During his active business career he was counted a month the big men of Pittsburgh-men who do things industrially, socially and politically. He was an influential member of the Pennsylvania legislature and a distinguished member of the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of his home lodge for more than forty years.

When he was a mere boy at his home in England, he joined the British army and was a spectator of the famous battle of Balaklava, which occurred October 25, 1854, a distinction that few persons may lay claim to.

Brief services will be held in the Marland apartments at the Arcade this evening, conducted by Rev. Marsden, pastor of the Episcopal Church. The body, accompanied by E.W. Marland and wife and Miss Charlotte Marland, will depart on the 10:05 train for Pittsburgh to be laid in the family burying ground beside that of the wife and mother who died almost exactly nine years ago.

We should be glad to speak of this notable citizen more at length and as he deserves, but our acquaintance of him was very brief and our opportunity for securing data limited.

collected by Geoff Marland