Meet Our Founder – Donald J. MacFarlane
Donald’s Childhood and Education
Donald MacFarlane was born and raised on a farm east of Janesville, Wisconsin, alongside his three sisters and two brothers. His upbringing was shaped by his parents’ unwavering commitment to education and hard work.
Donald’s mother, who graduated from Whitewater Teachers College in the late 1890s, instilled in her children a love for learning and a drive for entrepreneurship. Graduating from college was a remarkable achievement during a time when higher education for women was rare.
Donald’s father, William Daniel MacFarlane, was equally devoted to his children’s success. Recognizing the value of education, he purchased a home in Janesville so his teenage children could attend school. This investment paid off, as each of the children went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Donald earned a degree in chemical engineering, setting the stage for a promising career. His older brother, Kenneth, studied agriculture and animal husbandry, laying the foundation for his future in pheasant farming.
Donald’s Early Career
After graduating college, Donald began his professional career as a chemical engineer. He worked for Standard Oil, which later became Exxon, in New Jersey. He later moved to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he met and married Genevieve, his lifelong partner.
Kenneth’s Education and Early Ventures
Kenneth, meanwhile, pursued further education in New York, where he studied pheasant raising—a practice gaining popularity after pheasants were imported from England. In 1928, Kenneth returned to Wisconsin to begin his own pheasant farming venture on their father’s rural farm. Over the next few years, he relocated twice before settling on a 15-acre property on Center Avenue in Janesville.
Initially modest in scale, Kenneth’s farm grew steadily under his leadership. At the time, pheasant farming relied on brooders rather than incubators, with hens hatching eggs naturally. Despite these limitations, Kenneth built Wisconsin’s largest commercial game farm by 1931, raising between 2,500 and 3,000 birds annually.
His clients ranged from state game departments to private estates and shooting clubs, and Kenneth personally delivered chicks across the country—traveling as far as Martha’s Vineyard and New York City by truck. These trips were more than business; they were adventures that strengthened customer relationships and introduced him to new parts of the country.
Two Brothers, One Shared Passion
Kenneth frequently shared his passion for pheasant farming with his younger brother, Donald, who was still living in New Jersey. Inspired by Kenneth’s success and eager to return to Wisconsin, Donald and his wife moved back to Janesville in 1935. Donald established his own pheasant farm next to Kenneth’s, combining his love of the outdoors with a new business venture.
The brothers worked their farms side by side, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Kenneth, a passionate hunter, relied on his extensive network of connections, while Donald, utilizing the train system of the era, traveled extensively to secure customers and personally deliver birds.
Kenneth’s Tragic Death and Donald’s Acquisition of the Farm
In 1939, Kenneth married Gwen Althea Crane. The couple welcomed their daughter, Jean Grace, less than a year later. By all accounts, Kenneth’s life was full, and his family brought him happiness.
Kenneth’s life came to a heartbreaking end on November 11, 1940, during the Great Armistice Day Storm—a devastating blizzard that claimed the lives of 50 hunters. After being thrown from their canoe, Kenneth and his dog swam to shore, but he succumbed to the freezing temperatures later that night. His passing at just 35 years old left a profound void in the lives of his family and the pheasant farming community.
Following Kenneth’s passing, his wife Gwen, widowed with a two-month-old daughter, decided to sell the farm to Donald. In 1941, Donald merged the two operations, creating the foundation for what is now MacFarlane Pheasants, Inc.
Overcoming Adversity: Donald’s Battle with Polio
In 1946, Donald MacFarlane’s life changed when he contracted polio, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. This life-changing event could have ended his work, but Donald’s determination never wavered.
Professionally, Donald adapted how he operated the farm. He focused on building strong client relationships, spending countless hours writing letters and managing the business side of operations. His efforts ensured the farm’s continued success.
In 1955, Donald met Eleanor Roosevelt, who later wrote about him:
“He said he might never have made a success of it except for his illness, which forced him to stay indoors and write letters to take care of that end of the business, so he had built up a really good clientele. I was reminded of Dale Carnegie’s column in one of the Sunday news magazines in which he urged people to count their blessings.”
Personally, Donald remained committed to living an active and independent life. He designed a hand-control system for his car, allowing him to drive on his own, and regularly swam at the Janesville YMCA with his children, using only his hands to move through the water. These moments became cherished family memories.
Donald also frequently visited Warm Springs, Georgia, a rehabilitation center established by Franklin D. Roosevelt for polio patients. There, he gained resources, exercise plans, and equipment to help him manage his condition. These visits provided practical support and reinforced his determination to live fully despite his challenges.v
Changes at the Farm
After contracting polio, Donald recognized the need for someone who could take on the physical demands of managing day-to-day operations. Fortunately, this challenge coincided with the end of World War II, as veterans returned home seeking work and new opportunities. Donald’s brother-in-law, James Adamson and Genevieve’s brother, a WWII veteran, was among them.
James was looking for steady work, and Donald saw this as the perfect opportunity to seek the help he needed. Confident in James’ work ethic and skills, Donald asked him to join the farm, and the two began what would become a long and successful collaboration.
James played an indispensable role at the farm, staying on until his retirement in 1981. His steadfast leadership and dedication were pivotal to the farm’s success.
Transition to a New Generation
In the 1970s, Donald’s health began to decline, and the farm’s future was uncertain. Recognizing the importance of preserving his life’s work, Donald persuaded his youngest son, Bill MacFarlane, to return to Janesville and take over the business. Bill, who had been involved in pheasant farming since childhood, officially assumed leadership after Donald’s passing in 1985.
Donald’s Legacy and Community Impact
Donald left behind a legacy of hard work, ingenuity, and generosity. His contributions extended beyond the farm, as he was an active member of the First Baptist Church and later the United Methodist Church. He served on many local boards, including Habitat for Humanity, and taught Sunday School. He co-founded a local NAACP chapter and served on the Rock County Board of Supervisors for 20 years. Donald also left a number of building lots and property to Habitat for Humanity after his passing.
Donald’s generosity often went unnoticed, as he quietly helped those in need, motivated by a sincere desire to make a difference. His son, Kenneth, recalled one instance when Donald paid a single mother’s mortgage during a difficult time. His warmth and humor were equally memorable, often engaging children with stories of his “purple cat” to ease their nerves around his wheelchair.
Remembering Donald MacFarlane
Donald’s life was defined by perseverance, kindness, and an enduring commitment to family and community. As Kenneth, Donald’s oldest son, reflected, “He was such a positive person. I feel very fortunate that he was our dad.”
Today, MacFarlane Pheasants stands as a living tribute to Donald’s vision and values, inspiring future generations to carry forward his remarkable legacy.