Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: MCGILL, John H. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 267-268



JOHN H. McGILL.

	John H. McGill, devoting his energies to general agricultural 
pursuits on section 27, township 6, range 66, in Weld county, was born 
near Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, in April, 1854, and is a son of William 
and Jane (Keyes) McGill, who were natives of Scotland. Coming to 
America in early life, they settled near Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, and 
there the father engaged in gardening with his brother. He was a marble 
cutter by trade but never followed that pursuit in the new world. He 
continued farming at Baden, Pennsylvania. throughout his remaining days 
and brought his land under a high state of cultivation and improvement. 
He died in August, 1899, at the age of seventy-six years, while his 
wife. surviving him for more than a decade, passed away in 1912, at the 
advanced age of eighty-four years.

	John H. McGill was reared and educated in Baden and continued his 
studies in the college at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and when his 
textbooks were put aside he learned the trade of carpentering and stair 
building but did not find this a congenial occupation and turned his 
attention to gardening in Pennsylvania. He then had a chance to go to 
Columbus. Nebraska, with a colony and did so in 1880 but remained for 
only a short time. In the same year he came to Greeley. Weld county, 
and began work as a farm hand, being employed in that way for three 
years. He next rented land. which he continued to cultivate and improve 
for about ten years, on the expiration of which period he purchased his 
present place of eighty acres, situated on section 27, township 6, 
range 66. "With characteristic energy he began to improve and develop 
this property and now has one of the nicest farms in his part of the 
state. He has planted all of the trees upon this place and has 
continuously cultivated his land, which he has transformed into rich 
and productive fields. At the same time he has bought and sold several 
farms and has been very successful in carrying on this business.

	On the 24th of December, 1884, Mr. McGill was united in marriage 
to Miss Nancy J. Evans, a daughter of Henry J. and Mary (Foster) Evans, 
who were natives of the Keystone state. Mrs. McGill was born in Beaver 
county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1861, which was the day on which the 
first blood was shed in the Civil war. Her father was a river man and 
worked on boats as first mate, making a run between Pittsburgh and New 
Orleans. He followed that business throughout his entire life, his 
death occurring in July, 1915. He had long survived his wife, who 
passed away in 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. McGill were born seven children: 
William H., who is engaged in farming near Barnesville, Colorado; Ethel 
B., whose demise occurred on the 30th of March, 1891; Mabel F., at 
home; Margaret, who is the wife of Milton K. Eads, of Greeley; John 
Donald and Mary Dorothy, twins; and Joseph F.

	Politically Mr. McGill is a democrat and has served in several 
local offices, acting as constable and also as school director for six 
years. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and 
his religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church. His life has 
been one of industry and thrift. There has been nothing spectacular in 
his record but by persistency of purpose and indefatigable energy he 
has reached the place which he now occupies as a representative citizen 
and leading farmer of Weld county.