Biography of Hammet McIlroy, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company Hon. Hammet McIlroy, the oldest living settler of Randolph County, Ark, was born in Madison County, Mo., March 9, 1812, it being then a portion of Louisiana Territory. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McLain) McIlroy, the father's birth occurring in Culpeper County, Va., in 1781, and his death in Randolph County, Ark., April 8, 1853. The early youth and manhood of the father were spent in his native State, and his first removal from there was to Hopkins County, Ky., where he met and married Miss McLain, whose birth occurred in South Carolina, in 1793, their union taking place in 1808. Shortly after their nuptials they removed to Cape Girardean County, Mo., then to Madison County, and in 1813, came to what is now Randolph County, Ark., where they made their home until their respective deaths. The mother died December 5, 1850. Samuel McIlroy was a soldier in the War of 1812, and fought the Seminole Indians. In his youth he learned the hatter's trade, but the most of his later years was spent at farming, in which occupation he was quite successful. He was a Democrat. His father. Daniel McIlroy, was born in Virginia, and was of Scotch descant. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and was once captured at the battle of Long Island. Alexander McLain, the paternal grandfather, was also in that war, and was at the battles of King's Mountain, Cowpens and others. There were born to the marriage of Samuel and Elizabeth McIlroy, ten sons, seven of whom lived to maturity. Hammet was the second child, and is one of only two who are now living. He and his brother, Andrew J., worked for their father until sixteen years of age, learning in the meantime the hatter's trade, and after that time began working at their trade for themselves. In 1844 Hammet turned his attention to farming, and his labors in this direction have been attended with good results, he being now the owner of 650 acres of excellent land, a considerable portion of which is rich bottom soil. He has been an extensive trader in grain and stock, and has shipped both down the river on flatboats. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in 1850 he was elected to represent Randolph County in the State legislature, and in 1852 was re-elected to the same position. July 11, 1833, he married Miss Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Lot and Mary Davis, who came from Iron County, Mo., to this [p.411] county in 1818. She was born May 14, 1815, and died February 1, 1871, having been an earnest member of the Baptist Church for many years. Five of her ten children are now living: William, Thomas J., Archibald Y., Elizabeth Jane and Clorah T. Mr. McIlroy married his second wife on the 10th of September, 1871, her maiden name being Maria L. Cooper, who was born in Greene County, Ind., April 22, 1828, a daughter of M. Cooper, and the widow of William J. Inman. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and although they are now quite aged, they are yet hale and hearty, giving promise of spending many more years of usefulness in Randolph County. In the legislature of 1850 Mr. McIlroy heartily indorsed the compromise act as it was passed by Congress that year, and warmly supported by Clay, Webster, Douglas and others. This session witnessed resolutions introduced, some approving and others opposing the action of that honorable body. In 1860 and 1861, when the subject of secession was being warmly discussed, he opposed secession to the utmost of his ability, first because he did not think there was sufficient cause to justify such a course, and next owing to a belief that secession could not win. After the war had progressed about three years and President Lincoln had offered his amnesty proclamation, he was in favor of accepting that, and when the Confederate armies had surrendered and peace was made and the Southern States offered pardon and restoration to their constitutional rights in the Union on certain conditions, he advocated reconstruction as proposed by the Federal government, as they were the victorious party, and as such had the right to dictate the terms of peace to the vanquished.