USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 63
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Possessing in marked degree the judicial mind, combined with his legal lore, Judge McBride is an ideal man in the high position he fills with such forcible capability.
MCCARTY, Alexander, a retired farmer of Edinburg, was successfully engaged in farming in the vicinity of Ramsey in Fayette County, Ill .. for a number of years. He was born No- vember 28, 1841, in Ramsey Township, Fayette County, Ill., a son of James Morton and Lucinda (Anderson) McCarty. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Fayette County. In young manhood the father left Ireland, and lo- cated near Ramsey, Ill. By trade he was a stonecutter, having learned this calling in his native land. After coming to Fayette County he worked for an uncle, James M. Cavanaugh, building a wagon road between Ramsey and Vandalia. Later Mr. McCarty took up 120 acres of government land near Ramsey, which he im-
proved and he lived upon his farm all of his subsequent life, and he was engaged in operat- ing it and working at his trade. His death oc- curred one and one-half miles southeast of Ram- sey. In politics he was a Democrat.
Alexander McCarty attended the schools of Fayette County, held in log schoolhouses, and he remained on the homestead with his mother until he was twenty years old. He then worked for A. J. Maramen on a farm in Shelby County, but three years later located in Buckhart Town- ship, Christian County, where he operated land. After some changes, he finally retired and moved to Edinburg.
On February 17, 1861, Mr. McCarty was mar- ried to Miss Louisa Jane Porter, a daughter of Elisha and Nancy (Wadkins) Porter of Fayette County. Her father was born in Tennessee and her mother in Montgomery County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty have had the following chil- dren : James M .; Lucinda; John Elisha, who was married to Martha Robinson, a daughter of John E. and Sarah ( Beidinger) Robinson, had these children, Fern R., Fred A. and Gracie E. who lives with her grandfather, Mr. McCarty, and John Elisha, who died in 1906; Julianna Irene; Emma Cora ; Iona Bell; Charles Oscar, who is deceased; and Lulu May, who is de- ceased. Mr. McCarty belongs to the Odd Fel- lows, and in politics he is a Democrat. In 1861 he joined the Christian Church and has remained with that congregation ever since, transferring from Fayette County to Christian County,
McCLAIN, Jasper N., station agent for the C. I. & W. Railroad at Osbornville, was born at Hollandsburg, Parke County, Ind., February 26, 1867, a son of William H. and Mary A. (Shel- burn) McClain, farming people. They were natives of Shelby County, Ky., who had come to Indiana after their marriage. When Jasper N. McClain was six months old his parents went back to Kentucky, and the mother died a short time after, and the father died January 1, 1891, also in Kentucky.
Until he was eighteen years old, Jasper N. . McClain remained at home assisting his father, and then went to work for himself on a farm in l'arke County, Ind., where he remained until 1903. It was in that year that he came to Osbornville and took charge of the station at this point for the then just completed railroad, and has been agent ever since. An ambitious young man, he completed his studies while en- gaged in farming, and having saved his money, he was able to stock a general store, which he operated in conjunction with his farming. Ap- pointed postmaster under a Republican adminis- tration, he gave such universal satisfaction that he was continued in office under the Democratic administration. Not satisfied, however, with what he had already accomplished, he learned telegraphy, and had his apparatus in his store. After selling his store interests, he spent two years on his brother's farm and then rented land, and while working it in the daytime, was
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night telegraph operator at Milligan, Ind., so that he had had experience when he came to his present position.
Mr. McClain was married (first) in Mont- gomery County, Ind., to Nora Gilliland, who died October 18. 1904, her ill healtlı being one of the reasons for leaving Indiana and coming to Osbornville. Subsequently Mr. McClain was married (second) to Ina Cook, at Osbornville, she being a daughter of B. R. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. McClain have two children, namely: Shel- burn C. and William E., both of whom are at home. Mr. McClain belongs to the Odd Fellows . and Order of Railroad Telegraphers. The Primitive Baptist Church holds his membership, anl he is a Democrat in politics. He owns two residences and a blacksmith shop at Osbornville, and has some vacant property at Indianapolis. Ind. The McClain family is of Scotch and Welsh descent. and his grandparents were natives of Virginia on the paternal side, while on the ma- ternal side the family was English, and traces back to Lord Shelburn. The McClain family was a large one, but owing to changes and ro- inovals. Mr. McClain has lost track of the various branches, which no doubt could be placed in direct descent on the original family tree several generations back.
McCLARY, Charles, postmaster of Edinburg, and a man of considerable influence in Christian County, is widely and favorably known in this section. He was born at Ramsey. Fayette County. Ill .. February 24, 1880. a son of James M. and Sarah Ann (Donaldson) McClary. The father and mother were also born in Fayette County, and there they were married. Having grown up on a farm. the father at the death of the grandfather, took charge of the home- stead, and lived on it until his death in 1898 at the age of forty-nine years. The mother died in August, 1892. In politics the father was a Democrat.
During his boyhood Charles McClary attended the schools of his native county. and was brought up to farm work. In 1904 he came to Edinburg, and established himself in a mercan- tile business. and also engaged in writing life and fire insurance for some years. A loyal Democrat. he was called upon to serve as tax collector. and July 1. 1914. he was appointed postmaster of Edinburg, which office he still holds.
In 1905 Mr. McClary was married to Miss Josephine L. Ritchardson, a daughter of F. N. and Mary Ritchardson, natives of Vandalia, Ill., who were farming people. Mrs. McClary's grandfather. Daniel Ritchardson, was born near Nashville. Tenn., and came with his parents overland to Morgan County, Ill., locating near Vandalia when he was a small boy. The grand- mother was born in Tennessee and was brought to Illinois by her parents when a child, the family coming overland in wagons. They were married in Fayette County. and located on gov- ernment land. There they built a log house, and began improving the prairie land, which
they developed and lived upon until death claimed them. Mr. and Mrs. McClary have two children, namely : Helen and Charlotte. Fra- ternally Mr. McClary is a Mason and Modern Woodman.
MCCLUSKEY, William, who was born on the farm where he now lives in Locust Township, is one of the reliable men of Christian County, and one whose efforts have brought about consider- able advancement in agricultural conditions in this locality. His birth occurred November 11, 1869, and his parents were Joseph and Sarah Mccluskey, natives of Pennsylvania who came to Christian County, Ill., in 1866. The mother died in June, 1906, when seventy-four years old. These parents had two children, namely: Wil- liam and Thomas Franklin.
William Mccluskey has spent his entire life upon the homestead, and has one of the nicest rural residences in the county. His farm com- prises 220 acres of magnificent farming land, and he is deeply interested in all measures look- ing to the improvement of conditions for the tiller of the soil. In local affairs he has always taken an intelligent part, and not only has been supervisor for Locust Township, but has held offices in Owaneco, his farm being included in the village limits. The Methodist Church has long held his membership, and he is very active in promoting its good work, giving to it liberally of his time and money. His services in this respect have met with appreciation as is shown by his election to numerous church offices.
On September 8. 1SOS, Mr. Mccluskey was married to Miss Mary A. Martin, a native of Scotland, who was born March 15, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. McCInskey have one son. Frank, born July 29, 1900, who is a student in the Taylor- ville High school. In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Cluskey made a tour of England, Ireland and also Scotland, where they visited Mrs. McClus- key's mother. Mr. McCluskey is a Mason, and stands high with that order. The remarkable advance made by Christian County farmers within the past decade may be traced to the influence of men like Mr. Mccluskey, who are not content to keep the results of their experi- ments to themselves, but make their knowledge public property so that all may profit by it. and in this way they increase the prosperity of the individual farmers and the county as well.
McELROY, James, a retired farmer of Morrison- ville, has long been regarded as one of the sub- stantial men of Christian County. He was born at Castle Derg, Ireland. May 10, 1840. a son of John and Betty (Craig) McElroy. There were four daughters and five sons in the family, but all who are now living are James and a married sister, Mrs. Mary Jane Forsyth, of Castle Derg, Ireland. When he was fifteen years old. James McElroy came to the United States, and spent two years at Frankfort. Pa., as a farm hand be- fore he went to Springfield, Ill. After a short time spent in working in a saw-mill there, he went on a farm. The Civil War had in the
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
meantime been declared, and like many of his countrymen, he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, enrolling when twenty-one years old in Company A, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was at Chickamauga, Franklin, Atlanta and the battle of Nashville. He enlisted at Taylorville, was sworn in at Camp Butler, and was discharged at Camp Harker, Nashville, Tenn., and was paid off at Springfield, Ill. During his entire service he was never wounded. Upon his return from the war, he went to work for the man who had employed him before he enlisted. Later he began to buy farm land and now has 200 acres, five iniles from Morrisonville, on which he has a tenant who has occupied the farm for twenty- one years. Mr. McElroy has eight acres in his residence plot at Morrisonville. He belongs to the Methodist Church and gave it $600. He also belongs to Morrisonville Lodge No. 681, A. F. & A. M.
In April, 1866, Mr. McElroy was married to Margaret Bell of South Fork Township, and they became the parents of two children : John, who was born January 28, 1867, is a painter and decorator of Palmer, Ill. He was married (first) in 1889, to Claudia Murphy, and they had two children, namely: Edith (McElroy) Griffith ; and Vollie John, who died in infancy. In 1892 Mrs. John McElroy died, and in 1894 John McElroy was married (sec- ond) to Lillian Bradley, and they had five chil- dren born to them, namely : Fern Dugger, Fay Minnikin, Mary, James and Gail, all of whom are living. The second child of James McElroy was Charles, who was born December 18, 1872, and he was a railroad man who spent the greater part of his mature years in California. and he died at Truckee, Cal., May 14, 1914, of pneumonia. Charles McElroy was married to Maude Sayles of Truckee, Cal., and they had one son, Tayetta Arthur. On April 26, 1882, James McElroy was married (second) to Susan Howell of Wilkesville, Ohio, and they became the parents of one son, James Webster, who was born near Pawnee, Ill., March 28, 1883. He is a farmer and assists his father in his business affairs. James Webster McElroy was married November 25, 1914, to Emma Kilgore, and they have two children, namely : Benjamin Nelson and James Lowell.
MCKENZIE, Zachariah W., a retired merchant of Edinburg, was born in Mt. Auburn Township, this county, in a log cabin, March 3, 1849, he being a son of Jolin and Leah (Guliford) McKen- zie. The father was born near Booneville, Ross County, Ohio, and the mother on a farm near Hillsboro, Ohio.
After attending the early schools of his native county, the father, John McKenzie, began farm- ing, following the calling of his father who had been a farmer in Maine before moving to Ohio. where he was one of the early settlers, and helped to clear off the land. When the paternal grandfather came to Ohio, wild animals were plentiful, in fact, John McKenzie often told of
once shooting a panther not far from the family home. At an early day the grandfather made a trip overland to Illinois, but returned to Ohio, where he died, as did the grandmother. For a number of years, John McKenzie remained with his father, but finally came to Illinois, and when he was in the village of Chicago, he was offered land at the present busy corner of State and Madison streets, for $1.25 per acre, but not being able to look into the future, he refused, and went on to Christian County, where he took up eighty acres of government land in Mt. Auburn Township, his grant being signed by President Martin Van Buren. To his original farm he added until he had 600 acres of land, near Sand Ridge. Later he moved to Grove City, Ill., where he died five years afterward, December 29, 1891, when he was seventy-seven years old. The mother survived him and died at the home of her son Zachariah W.
Until he was eighteen years old Zachariah W. Mckenzie remained at Sand Ridge. Then he entered Delaware College, in Ohio, and took a two-year course, and afterward attended a busi- ness college at Sandusky, Ohio, from which he was graduated, and then returned and began operating the homestead. Still later he em- barked in a dry goods business at Atlanta, Ill., in partnership with J. A. Mckenzie, his brother, and they continued together for eleven years, and also conducted a store at McLean, Ill. At the end of the eleven years, they divided the stock and Zachariah W. Mckenzie took his share and opened a store at Minier, Ill., where he con- tinued for sixteen years. He then moved to Edinburg, and bought the interests of his former partner, having then on hand $22,000 worth of stock. When he went out of business in 1909, he had a record of forty years as a merchant. Mr. Mckenzie had purchased a farm of 480 acres of land in North Dakota, and he also inherited 120 acres of land in Christian County and a business block at Edinburg. At present he is engaged in looking after his private interests. His present comfortable residence he bought of Fred Anderson.
On June 20, 1876, Mr. Mckenzie was married to Miss Alice L. Shores, of Atlanta, Ill., a daugh- ter of James and Louisa (Ewing) Shores. Mr. Shores is senior member of the firm of Shores, Dunham & Company of Edinburg, prominent dry goods merchants. Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have one child, Leah, who married M. L. Williams, and they have one daughter, Marion Alice Mc- Kenzie Williams. Mr. Mckenzie is a Knight of Pythias and in politics is a Republican.
McKINNEY, Charles M., a prosperous farmer of South Fork Township, is one of the sub- stantial men of Christian County. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., September 11, 1867, a son of Alexander and Mary (Anthony) McKin- ney, the former born near Walnut Hill, Marion County, Ill., and the latter in Jersey County, Ill. The father attended the schools of his native township, and then learned farming. In 1861 he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in
WILLIAM D. WALLER
MRS. WILLIAM D. WALLER
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, un- der General Logan, and was also under Gener- als Sherman and McPherson. After his honorable discharge at the close of the war, lie returned to Sangamon County, but later bought land in Christian County, and operated it for some years, then selling it and moving back to Sangamon County. Once more he invested in a farm, and there died at the age of fifty-eight years. The mother died at the age of forty-two years, July 26, 1886. In politics the father was a Repub- lican, and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Until January, 1895. Charles M. Mckinney re- mained with his parents on the farm, alternating attendance at school, with farm work. He then bought 160 acres of land in South Fork Town- ship, where he has since resided, carrying on general farming and stockraising.
On January S. 1895, Mr. Mckinney was mar- ried to Miss Emma Black, who was born in Morgan County, Ill., April 7, 1873, a daughter of John and Louvina (West) Black. The pater- nal grandfather was born in Kentucky, but came to Morgan County, Ill., in 1828, and al- though only sixteen years old drove the six- horse stage between Jacksonville and St. Louis for years. At that time Indians were still plen- tiful, and there was also considerable danger from the outlaws. He was out in all kinds of weather, and was a man of exceeding bravery. He and his son reside in South Fork Township. The mother died January 23, 1916. Mr. and Mrs McKinney have two children, Everett, who was born January 12, 1898, in Christian County ; and Eula, who was born April 1, 1900, on the home- stead. Enla was married January 26, 1917, to Dexter Brower. of Freelandville, Ind. In politics Mr. Mckinney 2s a Republican.
McKNIGHT, Elmer E., whose artistic percep- tions and practical knowledge are directed toward the production of high class photographic studies, at Taylorville, is one of the leading men in his line in the county. He was born in Clay County, Ill., in the city of Xenia, August 23, 1892. a son of Allen M. and Emma S. (Bugg) McKnight. The father was born in Christian County, Ill., June 6, 1863, and the mother was born in the same county, February 3, 1870. For about forty-five years Allen M. McKnight was a resident of Christian County, although away from here at different times, once being engaged in farming in Marinette County, Wis. For twenty years he was well known as a grocer of Taylorville, and was extensively engaged in farming in May and Pana townships. He is a Presbyterian and Republican. The paternal grandfather, William McKnight, came to Illinois from Ohio, in 1856, locating in Assumption Town- ship, Christian County, where he remained for eighteen years.
Elmer E. McKnight attended the high school of Taylorville and later the Illinois College of Pho- tography at Effingham, Ill., following which he was employed by C. E. Pope, of Taylorville for a year. Mr. McKnight then sought experience
at different points in New York, Wisconsin and Illinois, working at his calling, until November, 1915, when he bought his present business located at Taylorville, next to the Taylorville Mercantile Company, from Mrs. Alice Wheeler, who had been in business here for thirty-three vears, and he has since continued it with marked success.
Mr. McKnight was married April 30, 1916, to Miss L. Ruth Woodruff, of Marinette, Wis., a daughter of G. E. and L. H. Woodruff. The United Presbyterian Church holds his member- ship. His political sentiments are of such a nature as to make him give his support to the Republican party. Having made a life study of photography, and possessing the necessary ar- tistic talent, Mr. McKnight has become noted for his superior productions, and his assistance is sought by those appreciating really excellent work in this line.
McQUIGG, James C., was born in the parish of Ireland Carragh, the county of Antrim, in the extreme north of Ireland, about three miles from the Atlantic ocean, on the first day of August. 1838. He is of Scotch ancestry, his great-grand- fathers, William McQuigg and John McAfee, having come from Scotland when they were young men, settling in Ireland Carragh parish and living there the remainder of their lives engaged in agricultural pursuits. William Mc- Guigg, son of John and grandfather of James C. McQuigg, was born in this parish and died there in his seventy-fifth year. William McAfee, the maternal grandfather of James C. McQuigg. emigrated to the United States with his family in 1838, settling in Wayne County, Ohio, where he died in 1863 when aged about seventy-six years. The parents of James C. McQuigg were John and Sarah (McAfee) McQuigg, both of whom were born in Ireland Carragh parish, the father in May, 1805 and the mother in July of the same year. They were married in this parish in September. 1831 and continued to live there until June, 1843, when they took passage with their children, seven in number, from Liver- pool to New York, going from there to Wayne Connty, Ohio, arriving there in the month of August of the same year. The names of the seven children according to priority of birth were: William, Eliza, Martha Jane, Mary Am. Samuel, James C. and John. Afterward two more children were born: Sarah and Margaret.
The father soon after coming to this country became interested in farming and earnestly en- gaged in the same with the aid of his sons, and he kept it up very extensively during the active years of his life. The mother, with the aid of their daughters, looked after the domestic af- fairs, and she saw that they secured a fairly good education, the two youngest receiving col- legiate training. It was indeed a good and happy family. The children were taught to be- lieve in the divinity of Christ and all the family became members of the Presbyterian Church. Both parents have long since passed to their reward, the father on the first day of February, 1885, in his eightieth year. and the mother on
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
February 12, 1897. in her ninety-second year. Of the children, the five eldest have gone also to their eternal home. Four are still living. With the exception of Samuel, who died in his sixty-seventh year, all the nine have illustrated the words of the Psalmist, "The days of their years are three score and ten years." Wayne County, Ohio, continued to be the home of all with the exception of Eliza Franks, who, after her marriage lived with her family in Fremont, Ohio ; and James C.
James C. McQuigg was reared on his father's farm and worked on the farm in the summer and attended school in the winter. A part of his schooling was obtained in the common schools and he also attended a school called the Peoples College, in which there was a great deal of interest taken in the neighborhood. Its course of instruction was equal to that of many acade- mies. In this institution he studied the sciences, together with higher mathematics and progressed to some extent also in Latin so that he was well started in that language, which, perhaps gave him a desire to pursue a regular classical course. llence he entered Fredericksburg Academy, in Wayne County and there followed the regular course of study for some time. After awhile he found his capital could not take him much farther so he concluded to teach school for a term. He secured the school in his father's dis- trict for a term of seven months, with a salary of $33.33 per month. This was a large school and he made his two younger sisters his assis- ants. This was in the latter part of 1860 and his term extended into the spring of the next year. War excitement was running high about the time lis school term expired. The southern states had severed their relations with the Union as they supposed. All over the North the young men were enlisting in the Union army, and as many of his comrades were joining the army, Mr. McQuigg went to Camp Tiffin at Wooster and enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry forming there and he con- tinued a soldier in this regiment until he was severely wounded. A majority of the companies of this regiment were from this county and were drilled in this camp and the officers, excepting the field officers, were chosen in this camp by the soldiers. For awhile after he enlisted he did a great deal of drilling and when he was solicited to be a candidate for first lieutenant of Com- pany G he consented but before any election was held he was taken down with typhoid fever. and was confined in his tent. He could not be with his company at the time of the election and as the outcome of his fever was unknown, he sent word to the company that he would with- draw his name as a candidate for lieutenant. His warmest friend. William Ross, was elected therefor. It was in the same battle in which Mr. McQuigg was later wounded that Lieutenant Ross was struck with a bullet in the face, from the effects of which he died.
When the Sixteenth regiment left Ohio for the front, Mr. McQuigg went with it and partici- pated in every battle and skirmish in which it
was engaged until the time he was wounded in the right hand in an assault on Vicksburg. In the charge he mounted an embankment and a piece of shell struck him in the right hand where he was holding his rifle, bending his gun so that the butt end thereof and the end of the bayonet almost met. This was at the Siege of Vicks- burg. The guns the regiment were using were the French sabre bayonet, a very heavy rifle. On account of this wound he was incapacitated and was discharged in the summer of 1863. His regiment while he was with it soldiered through middle and eastern Kentucky, eastern and west- ern Tennessee, West Virginia and Mississippi.
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