Tehama County CA Archives Biographies.....McCoy, Alexander McKean 1852 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 18, 2007, 10:24 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) ALEXANDER McKEAN McCOY, District Attorney of Tehama County, is a man of rare ability. A brief sketch of his life is herewith given: Mr. McCoy was born in Missouri, June 9, 1852. His father, Joseph McCoy, was also born in Missouri, and is a farmer, stock-raiser and cattle dealer. Grandfather Joseph McCoy was one of the earliest settlers of that State. Mr. McCoy's mother, nee Jane McKean, was a native of Ireland and daughter of Alexander McKean, a native of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are the parents of six sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. They were all born and reared at the old home in Clark County, Missouri, where their father still resides, the mother having died in 1872. The subject of this sketch attended school in his native State and diligently applied himself to his studies. At the age of twenty-two, in 1874, he graduated at the Christian University at Canton, Missouri. After graduating he taught two years in the university, where he was Professor of English Literature and History. In 1876 he came to Red Bluff, California, and was employed as Principal of the Red Bluff schools for two years, filling that responsible position with credit to himself and with entire satisfaction to the patrons of the school. His health became impaired, however, from the close confinement which his duties as principal required, and, in 1878, he left the school-room and engaged in the sheep business. He regained his health and continued in that business seven years. In 1884 he took an active part in politics canvassing the county in the interest of the Democratic party. As a speaker he is forcible and logical and his words carry conviction with them. The efficient services he rendered at that time were highly appreciated by his party. In 1885 he took up the study of law with Mr. Jackson Hatch, of Red Bluff, a study which proved congenial to him, and he rapidly became proficient in it. In the spring of 1886 he was admitted to practice by the Superior Court of his county. His age, education, experience as a teacher, ability as a speaker, and the valuable work he had done for his party in 1884, brought him at once into prominence, and, unasked by him, he was nominated for District Attorney in the fall of 1886. He was elected and his services were so satisfactory that in 1888 he was re-elected by an increased majority. At this writing, in 1890, he has been re-elected for a third term by a considerably increased majority over 1888. In 1884 Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Muth. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and is the daughter of J. L Muth, a native of Germany, who now resides in San Diego, this State. Mrs. McCoy received her education in the public schools of San Francisco and at the Normal School at San Jose. She was first assistant teacher in the Red Bluff schools at the time of their marriage and she has a fine reputation as an educator. Their union has been blessed with two interesting children, both born in Red Bluff, namely: Ida May, November 16, 1885, and Joseph Muth, September 21, 1889. Mr. McCoy bought a lot in Red Bluff and has built a very pleasant home where he and his family reside. He also has a fruit farm east of the town. Mr. McCoy became a member of the Chistian [sic] Church at Canton, Missouri, in 1873, and since that time has been an active and faithful member. He is an elder of the church in Red Bluff, and, in the absence of the pastor, frequently fills the pulpit. He has made a careful study of the evidences of Christianity, and is logical and convincing in his arguments in favor of the truth of the Christian religion. Although Mr. McCoy has never been ordained a minister, his appearance is more that of a Christian pastor than that of the District Attorney of Tehama County. He is a man who justly merits and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and makes his interest in them as great moral institutions second only to his church. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/mccoy752gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb