HARALSON COUNTY, GA - Civil War PENSIONS  John M. McKleroy

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
Archives by:  Candace Gravelle
tealtree@attbi.com


Table of Contents page: 
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Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm


                             MCKELROY, JOHN M.
This is the civil war pension of  John M. McKleroy,
who served with a UNION Army civil war regiment, Co.
B  1st Alabama Cavalry, enlisting in 1864 in
Randolph County, Alabama and moving after the war to
Clay County, Alabama and then to Haralson County,
Georgia where he and his widow died.

Notes: John M. McElroy was a soldier in the Union
Army, enlisting in Company B of the 1st Alabama
Cavalry.

Excerpts from his civil war pension file:

March 13, 1882
State of Alabama, County of Clay
Declaration for Invalid Pension

Personally appeared,  John McKleroy, aged 45 years,
a resident of the county of Clay, state of Alabama,
who being duly sworn according to law, declares that
he is the identical John McKleroy who enrolled on
the 1st day of August 1864 in Company B of the 1st
regiment of Alabama Cav. Vols., commanded by Captain
Ephraim B. West, and was honorably discharged at
Huntsville on the 20th day of Ocober 1865; that his
personal description is as follows (currently):  age
45 years,  height 6 feet 2 inches,  complexion
light, hair auburn, eyes blue. That while a member
of the organization foresaid, in the service and in
the line of his duty at Rome in the State of Georgia
on or about the 1st day of October 1864 he was
thrown from a horse while in a charge attempting to
take a ferry to stop the enemy from crossing the
river, and was badly hurt in the back and was sent
from there to Chattanooga , Tenn. hospital and
diabetes set in immediately, but he got a little
better and was put on duty as recruiting officer but
became worse and was sent to Convalescent Camp at
Stephenson  Ala where he remained, but was put on
duty  often while there, from 20 of Dec 1864 to May.
That he was treated in hospitals as follows:
Convalescent Camps at Stephenson, Alabama from Dec
20 1864 where was kept until May 1865 but mostly by
May went out many times and diabetes gnawed on me.
About 20 of Aug was sent to Huntsville, Ala Hospital
and was there treated 2 months, all of which
treatment was for diabetes and sore eyes. That since
leaving the service this applicant has resided in
the towns of Wedowee, Randolph Co., and Ashland,
Clay Co. in the state of Alabama and that his
ocupation has been that of a farmer and contractor. 
That prior to his entry into the service above
named, he was a man of good sound physical health,
being when enrolled a farmer.  That he is now in
part disabled from obtaining his subsistence by
manual labor by reason of his injuries above
described, received in the service of the United
States; and he therefore makes this declaration for
the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension
roll of the United States.   

That his post office
address is:  Ashland,  county of Clay, state of
Alabama. 
Signed,   John McKleroy 

Witnesses:  R.
McKerley ?,  Isaiah Cole Also personally appeared,
Robt. McKerley ? , residing at Ashland, Ala and
Isaiah Cole, residing at Ashland, Ala, who being
duly sworn, say they were present and saw the
applicaant John McKelroy the claimant sign his name
to the foregoing declaration.  

 Sworn to and
subscribed before me this 13th day of March 1882.
Signed, Hiram W. Evans, Judge of Probate for Clay
Co., Ala. 

July 8, 1890 State of Alabama, County of
Clay Declaration for Invalid Pension 

Personally
appeared,  John M. McLeroy, aged 54 years, a
resident of Ashland, in the County of Clay, State of
Alabama. hereby appoints as his true and lawful
attorney,  George E. Lemon of Washington, D.C.; that
he hs never received, but has applied for a pension.
That his post office address is:  Ashland, County of
Clay, State of Alabama.    
Signed,  John M McKleroy


Sept 15, 1891 Invalid Pension approved, commencing
July 16, 1890 at the rate of $12. per month.
Disabled by reason of: disease of eyes and slight
deafness in both ears. 

October  29, 1891 Physician's
Statement / Medical Evidence State of Alabama,
County of Randolph 

Personally appeared,  Elbert T.
Ganntt, a resident of of Wedowee, County of
Randolph, who being duly sworn, declares as follows:

I  have been practicing  medicine 22 years.  I first
knew the soldier about Jan 1874. I first treated him
professionally about May 1, 1875. I found him
suffering from diabetes and sore eyes. The lids of
his eyes were then as now granulated.  He has
diabetes in a malignant form.  I have treated the
said soldier from the dates of 1875 to 1885 and I am
of the opinion that these diseases were of long
standing.  I recollect of hearing Dr. Jos. H. Davis
of the 1st Ala Cav. Col. speak of having treated the
said soldier while as the surgeon in 1864 and 1865
as myself  and the said Dr. Jos. H. Davis practiced
medicine together at this place Wedowee Ala in 1875
and 1876 and that myself and Dr. Jos. W. Davis
jointly treated said soldier in those dates and
heard Dr. Jos. H. Davis speak of his former care.
Signed,  E.T. Ganntt , M.D. November 12, 1891


General Affadavit of Josiah A. Sikes and James
Thornton of Cleburne County, Alabama State of
Alabama, County of Cleburne 

Personally appeared,
Josiah A. Sikes aged 68, of Heflin,  Cleburne Co.,
Ala and James T. Thornton, age 63, Chulafinnee,
Cleburne Co., Ala;  who being duly sworn, declares: 
I was in the federal service with John M McKleroy
during the years 1864 and 1865 and know that he
contracted granulated sore eyes and diabetes while
in the army.  I lived within five miles of him for
five or six years after the surrender and knew that
he complained of severe hurting in his side. I live
about five miles of John M McKleroy at this time and
know that he is yet badly afflicted with sore eyes,
which is not in my belief aggravated by any viscious
habits.

Signed,  Josiah A. Sikes,  James T. Thornton  X  (his mark)
Witnesses:  I.C. Abel,  E.T. Graham

March 1898
State of Alabama, County of Clay
General Affadavit
Personally appeared,  Joseph D. West, aged 47 years,
a citizen of the town of Lineville, County of Clay,
State of Alabama, who being duly sworn, declares:
That he knows John McLeroy the claimant; that some
time about 1864 that said claimant lived in Randolph
County, Alabama near affiant's father Ephraim West
and was when he lived near and worked for affiant's
father.  Was to all appearances a stout man in good
health in 1864.  When he went to the United States
Army and joined Co. B. Regm't of Alabama Cav Vols., 
affiant states that in 1865 when claimant came back
home from the United States Army, he was in poor
health and his hearing poor and that his general
health badly infirmed,  and affiant states that it
his opinion that his condition is the result of
exposure in said company B of the 1st Regm't of
Alabama, that he arrives at this conclusion from his
own personal knowledge of the existing facts.     

Signed,  Joseph D. West,  Lineville, Alabama
Witnesses:  John West,  D. Perryman

May 1898
State of Alabama, County of Cleburne

General Affadavit of  Sarah E. Bell
Personally appeared,  Sarah E. Bell, aged 65 years,
who being duly sworn, declares:  that she has been
acquainted with John M. McLeroy since 1861, lived in
his immediate neighborhood and knows that he was to
appear as a stout man and labor for affiant on the
farm for her and her father Ephraim West on the
farm.   She further states that her brother Ephraim
B. West went to the U.S. Army, and she further
states that she knows that claimant's eyes were
badly inflamed and claimant was not stout as he was
as on her first acquaintance with him, and that he
has lived near affiant most of the time since the
close of the war of 1861, and since the close of the
war that claimant is now present and to all
appearances is an infirmed invalid;  not from his
appearance as able to do any manual labor, and
affiant is of the opinion that his present physical
condition is the result of the exposure in the U.S.
Army.  She forms this conclusion from her long
acquaintance with the said John M. McLeroy. She
further states that she is a sister of the late
Ephraim B. West, Capt. of Co. B 1st Regiment Ala
Cav. Vols. She further states that claimant took her
son through the lines and her son then joined the
U.S.

Army.  Signed,  Sarah E. Bell, Heflin, Ala
Witness: Ellen Perryman,  Mattie Perryman
April 28, 1898
Claimant's Affadavit

State of Georgia, County of Haralson

Personally appeared,  John M. McLeroy of Tallapoosa,
Georgia, who being duly sworn, declares: In answer
to why I cannot produce any Commissioned Officer
proof.  Capt West of my Company was killed a year or
two after the war at Wedowee and do not remember the
date.  I went into war with him and went through the
lines with him and after the surrender was with him.
Were he living he could testify that evidence that
would be required or either Dr. Davis could as he
was assistant  surgeon of the Reg't. He was my
physician during the war and after the war  as we
were from the same county.  I could refer you to
young Dr. Davis his  son, of the old Dr. that was in
the war;  also to Dr. Gaunt the old doctors pardner
and many others if necessary.  And could refer you
to the Clay County Board that I went before and not
able to get up town several of the physicians would
come to see me as I was entirely helpless the most
of the time. One Dr. McDairmone made seventy five
visits to see me during the time my side was in such
a critical condition. I was so very feeble in health
my friends advised me to apply for a pension and I
did so thinking I was entitled and never applied
until I was wholly disabled from work and do not
know where the regimental surgeons are.  It could be
possible they are dead as a great many pass away
each year. Since that time my diseases have become
complicated at the present and give me heart trouble
and my side that was in such bad condition shows
signs of rising again.  
Signed,  John M. McKleroy
Witnesses:  J.B. Wilsher?,  A. Troutham, J.P.


May 1898
From: Dept of Interior, Bureau of Pensions
To:  John M. McKleroy

Sir:  please favor me my returning this circular
with replies to the questions enumerated below:

Are you married, if so, state your wife's full name
and her maiden name:  Yes.  Martha Emily McLeroy,
Martha E. Stubbs, maiden name

When, where and by whom were you married:  Oct 16,
1870  Camp Hill, Ala, Tallapoosa by Jno. Slaughter

Were you previously married, if so, state the name
of your former wife and the date and place of death
or divorce:

Yes.  Maiden name was Louisa F. Stallings;  Divorced
July 15, 1868 at Wedowee, Randolph Co., Ala.

Have you any children living, if so, state their
names and dates of birth:  Yes.  Marcy A. McLeroy
Sept 24, 1871.  W.P.McLeroy Nov 9, 1876, U.L.
McLeroy Aug 2, 1880,  T.B. McLeroy April 24, 1882,
E.A. McKleroy April 17, 1885 Signed,  John M.
McKleroy Nov 14, 1904

Declaration for Widow's Pension of Mattie E. McKleroy
Post Office Address: Tallapoosa, Haralson County, Georgia

Personally appeared,  Mattie E. McKleroy, aged 58
years, a resident of Tallapoosa, County of Haralson,
State of Georgia, who being duly sworn, makes the
following declaration:  that she is the widow of
John M. McKleroy, who was enrolled as a Private in
Co. B 1st Regiment Alabama Cav., and who was
honorably discharged, having served ninety days or
more in the late war of the rebellion.  That she was
married under the name of Mattie E. Stubbs, at Camp
Hill, Alabama on the 16th day of October 1870 by
Rev. John R. Slaughter; that she had not been
previously married; that the soldier had been
previously married; that the women's name we have
not got, neither the date; he was divorced from that
woman.   That the said soldier died on Sept 26th
1904 at Tallapoosa, GA; and that the is without
other means of support than her daily labor and an
actual net income not exceeding two hundred and
fifty dollars per year.  No income at all, neither
any property.  That the said soldier left no
children who are now living who are  under the age
of sixteen years.  That her late husband drew a
pension of $12. per month under certificate No.
671739.  That her post office address is:
Tallapoosa, County of Haralson, State of Georgie.   

Signed, Mattie. E. McKleroy

Witnesses:  B.J. Murray,  Rosa B. Murray

Nov 19, 1904

Neighbor's Affadavit

State of Georgia, County of Haralson

Personally appeared,  C.E. Head, aged 59 years, a
resident of Tallapoosa in the county of Haralson,
state of Georgia whose post office address is
Tallapoosa, GA;  and  E. A. Latimer, aged 55 years,
a resident of Tallapoosa, in the county of Haralson,
state of Georgia who after being duly sworn,
declare:  that they have been well and personally
acquainted with the above named applicaant, Mattie
McKleroy, the widow of John M. McKleroy, for six
years and six years respectively and that we know
that she owns no real estate or personal property
except her household goods and that she has no
visible means of support and we know that she has
lived with her husband up to the time of his death. 


Signed, C.E. Head,
E.A. Latimer
November 29, 1904

General Affadavit
State of Georgia, County of Haralson
Personally appeared,  A.J. McKelroy, aged ?? years,
a resident of Cedartown in the County of Polk and
state of Georgia whose  post address address is
Cedartown, Polk County, GA, who being duly sworn,
declares: I was present at Camp Hill, Alabama and
saw John M McKleroy and Mattie E. Stubbs married by
Rev. John R. Slaughter and I k now she had never
been married before and he was married to Louisa F.
Stallings about the year 1865 and was never married
before that.  

Signed by his X mark,
Andrew J. McKelroy
Witnesses:  E.E. Kennedy,  J.A. Barclette, J.P.
December 14, 1904


General Affadavit

Personally appeared,  R.J. Tuggle, aged 38 years, a
resident of Tallapoosa in the county of Haralson,
state of Georgia, who declares as follows:   That I
attended  the funeral of John M McKleroy who died on
the 26th day of September 1904 and was buried on the
27th day of September and that I recognized the
remains to be that of the said John M. McKleroy,
having known him in life for about six years.  

  Signed,
R.J. Tuggle
December 8, 1904
General Affadavit
State of Alabama, County of Cleburne

Personally appeared,  William N. Clifton, aged 59
years, a resident of Chulafinee, in the County of
Cleburne and State of Alabama, whose post office is
the same;   a resident of Chulafinee in the state of
Alabama, county of Cleburne, who being duly sworn,
declares:  That I was present at or near Camp Hill,
Ala at the marriage of John M. McKleroy and Mattie
E. Stubbs; and I know that Mattie E. Stubs was never
married before; they were married by Rev. John R.
Slaughter, which occurred Oct 16, 1870.  

Signed,  W.N. Clifton
December 15, 1904
Record of Proof of Marriages, Births and Deaths
State of Alabama, County of Randolph

Personally appeared,  A.J. Brummit, who being duly
sworn, says:  that he resides in Roanoke, county of
Randolph, State of Alabama.  " I knew Miss Mattie
Stubbs in her childhood days and went to school with
her and we grew up together to manhood and womanhood
and she never was married until she married John M.
McKleroy.  

Signed,  A.J. Brummet
January 2, 1905
General Affadavit
State of Alabama, County of Cleburne
Personally appeared,  William N. Clifton, aged 59
years and Mrs. R.A. Clifton, aged 61 years, whose
post office address is Heflin, Alabama R.F.D. No. 3,
in the county of Cleburne, state of Alabama, who
being duly sworn declares:  that we was present at
the trial of John M. McKleroy and Louise F. McKleroy
for divorce and we know that divorce was granted,
and we was witnesses in this case.  We further
certify that John M. McKleroy was never married
until he was married to Louise F. Stallings.  

Signed,  William N. Clifton,  R.A. Clifton.
January 6, 1905
General Affadavit
State of Georgia, County of Haralson

Personally appeared,  Dr. W.B. Brock, aged 34 years,
a resident of Tallapoosa in the county of Haralson,
state of Georgia, who being duly sworn, says:  I
attended said John M. McElroy on Sept 25, 1904 and
said McElroy died from cardiac and renal dropsy on
Sept 26, 1904.  Signed,
W. B. Brock, M.D.
April 20, 1905
State of Alabama, County of Randolph

Personally appeared,  Wm. N. Clifton, aged 60 years,
a resident of Wedowee, in the County of Randolph,
State of Alabama, whose post office address is
Wedowee, Alabama,  and Ruby Ann Clifton, aged 62
years, a resident of Wedowee, Alabama in the county
of Randolph, state of Alabama,  who being duly
sworn, declares:  that we was witnesses in the trial
of John M. McKleroy against Louise F. McKleroy his
wife, for divorce, in the term of Court convened in
the latter part of July to the best of our knowledge
in the year 1868; in the county of Randolph and
State of Alabama; and we know that the decree of
divorcement ws granted in favor of John M. McKleroy
against his wife Louise F. McKleroy; and a copy of
the decree of divorcement cannot be obtained because
the court house was burned in the early part of the
winter in the year 1897 and all of the books and
papers were burned with it. 

 Signed,  Wm. N.
Clifton,  Ruby Ann Clifton
April 18, 1905
General Affadavit
State of Alabama, County of Randolph
Personally appeared,  Jno. T. Kaylor, Judge of
Probate of Randolph Co., Ala; aged 45 years, a
resident of Wedowee in the County of Randolph and
State of Alabama; who declares:  I,   Jno. T.
Kaylor, Judge of Probate of Randolph Co., Ala hereby
certify that the court house at Wedowee, Ala was
burned in November 1896.  All records and contents
were destroyed.    

Signed  Jno. T. Kaylor, Judge of Probate
May 29, 1905
General Affadavit
State of Alabama, County of Randolph
Personally appeared,  A.J. Brummit, aged 57 years, a
resident of Roanoke in the county of Randolph, State
of Alabama, who being duly sworn, declares:  I have
known John M. McKleroy  and Mattie E. McKleroy his
wife for over 25 years. They had lived together as
man and wife for over 25 years and she lived with
him and took care of him until his death.
Signed,  A.J. Brummit
Sept 26, 1916
Tallapoosa, GA
Request for Increase of Pension
Widow's Certificate 594284
To:  Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Sir;  I am pensioned under the above certificate
number.  I  am 70 years of age, having been born
Sept 18, 1846 at eatonton, Georgia.  I am entitled
to the increase of pension provided by the first
section of the act of Sept 8, 1916.  
Signed,  Mattie E. McKleroy,  Post Office
address:  Tallapoosa, Haralson County, Georgia
Oct 10, 1916

Widow's Pension of Mattie E. McKleroy increased to $20. per month,
commencing Sept 18, 1916; at age of 70 years.
November 1920

To Chief, Finance Division, Bureau of Pensions

Regarding:  Mattie E. McKleroy, pensioner A check in
the amount of $90.  has been returned to me by the
Postmaster with the information that the pensioner
died Nov 18, 1920 and said check has this day been
cancelled.  

Very respectfully, Guy O. Taylor,
Disbursing Clerk      Feb 4, 1921

File submitted by Candace Gravelle
tealtree@attbi.com