Dallas-Polk County IA Archives Biographies.....McClure, John O. 1839 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 25, 2007, 12:48 am

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896)

JOHN O. McCLURE, one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of the
State of Iowa, is now living about two miles north of Dallas Center, Dallas
county, Iowa. He was born in Knox county, Indiana, October 20, 1839, and is a a
son of William P. and Ann Letitia (Silvers) McClure. The father, who is still
living near Des Moines, Iowa, was born in Knox county, Indiana, June 19, 1819,
and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Purcell) McClure, both natives of Virginia,
and their deaths occurred in the Hoosier State at about the age of sixty years.
In 1838 William P. McClure wedded Miss Silvers, who was born in September, 1819,
and by their union they became the parents of eight children, five yet living.
The lady was a daughter of Bletcher and Elizabeth (Ingram) Silvers, natives of
Kentucky, and died in Indiana when past the age of sixty years. The Ingrams were
of English descent, while the Purcells and McClures were of Irish ancestry, and
were among the first settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Two brothers by the name
of McClure were the founders of the family in this country, and its members have
since mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother of our subject
departed this life on the 29th of December, 1890, but the father is one of the
honored citizens of Iowa, and has the respect of all who know him.

   The primary education of John O. McClure was obtained in the district
schools, but this was supplemented by a course in the Presbyterian Academy at
Virginia, Illinois. In 1859 he started westward with his parents and located on
the farm where his father yet resides. There he remained until the breaking out
of the Civil war in 1861, when he was one of the first to respond to his
country's call to aid in crushing the rebellion, and became a member of Company
B, Tenth Iowa Infantry. He served with distinction for four years, being with
his company and regiment in all the engagements and skirmishes in which they
participated with the exception of about four months, when he was off duty on
account of wounds received at Champion Hills and Corinth. He was ever found at
his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag, and on the expiration of his
term of service was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 15, 1865,
receiving an honorable discharge.

   Mr. McClure at once returned to his father's home, and on the 30th of
November, 1865, was united in marriage with Harriet Urhan, and to them have been
born the following children: Royal A., Jennie, Eva, Carrie, and Edith, who are
living; and Anna, the second born, died in childhood. The children have been
given excellent school privileges, and the family is one of culture and
refinement, and in their delightful home their many friends always find a warm
welcome.

   In the spring of 1866 Mr. McClure purchased his present farm, which was then
a wild tract of prairie, but now yields a bountiful return for the care and
labor expended upon it. It is one of the best places of the county, and its neat
appearance indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. McClure's
popularity is shown by his long retention in the many offices he has been called
upon to fill, having for twenty-two years been Justice of the Peace, and in all
he has ever discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction
of all concerned. He is a charter member of Richmond Post, G. A. R., of Dallas
Center, and he and his wife are active workers and consistent members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday-school connected with the same. Members of
the family have been quite prominent in the history of this country: Congressman
William Springer, of Illinois, is an own cousin of Mr. McClure's mother. Mr.
McClure does not care for the honors or emoluments of public office, but
delights rather in devoting his time to those interests for the benefit of his
fellow men for which he receives no salary. For example, he has efficiently
served as custodian of the Soldiers' Relief Fund. He is also a member of Delta
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Dallas Center.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA

ILLUSTRATED

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."'—MACAULAY.

"Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant,
of all things."—CARLYLE

"History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE.

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1896


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