Robert McFarland was born in Londonberry, Ireland in 1836. He left Ireland in 1854 and traveled to the United States. He entered Wachington College and graduated in 1858. He then studied law under John W. Brockenborough, and graduated with a Bachelor of Law in 1860. In April 1860, he traveled south to Florence, Alabama, where he joined James B. Irvine in a Partnership in law.

One year later, on April 28, 1861, Robert entered the Confederate service as Captain of the Lauderdale Volunteers. This volunteer group would be organized into the 4th Alabama Infantry. He continued his service in the Confederate army for the next four years, being captured in January 1865 and then paroled at Pond Springs in Hillsboro, Alabama. He then came back to Florence.

In October, 1865, he opened an office at Florence and began the practice of law, and remained there. He became popular with his clients and rapidly made a reputation as one of the most successful lawyers of the North Alabama bar. He married Miss Kate Armestead in March, 1868, and had seven children {one of which would pass away at an early age.