Macfarlane served as the St. George City and Washington County Engineer. He was Bishop of the St. George East Ward for eighteen years. The water dilemma consumed the new Mayor’s 189401896 term. His 1904-1906 term was again about water. Mayor Macfarlane had a site for a reservoir surveyed so Cottonwood water could be added to the cities’ summer water supply. The reservoir cost $11,334.30.