Vermilion county Illinois, JOHN McVEY ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 220-221 JOHN McVEY, general merchant, of Tilton, and Postmaster of Vandercook Post-office, Vermilion Co., is one of the most prominent business men in this locality, and is one of the leading civic officials. He is of Celtic ancestry and was born in County Longford, Ireland, in June, 1837. His father, John MeVey, was a native of the same county, and was there reared and married, continuing his residence in the home of his nativity till 1837. In that year he came to the United States, seeking to better his fortune, leaving his family behind, intending to send for them at a later date after he became permanently established. He located in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he engaged in mining for several years, till an accident in the mines caused his death in 1852, while yet scarce past life's prime. His son John, of whom we write, was but an infant when he had the misfortune to lose the loving care of a good mother, and his father being in this country, he was taken to the home of his grandparents, and was reared by them till 1851. In that year he followed his father to America, setting sail from Liverpool and landing in New York after a voyage of seven weeks, a poor boy in a strange land. He hastened to join his father whom he had scarce seen, he having been an infant when he had left home, and they were reunited in Pennsylvania. Our subject soon commenced life for himself as a mule driver in a coal mine. In 1857 he decided that he would like to try life in the great West, and making his way to this State he tried to obtain work in a coal mine at Danville. Not succeeding in that attempt he got employment on a railway for a few months, and then engaged in mining. In May of that year he answered Lincoln's call for 90-day men, and enlisting in Company C, 12th Illinois Infantry, served with his regiment till the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Danville. In August, 1862, he again went forth to aid his adopted country, and enrolling his name with the members of Company C, 125th Illinois Infantry, he went to the front with his regiment, and bravely faced the foe on many a hotly contested battlefield. The most important battles in which he took part were those of Perryville, Ky., and Chicamauga. On the way from Chattanooga to Atlanta with General Sherman, he fought in the various engagements with the rebels that they encountered and in the siege and capture of the latter city. He was also present at the battle of Jonesboro, where he was severely wounded, and was obliged to go to the hospital for treatment. He rejoined his regiment that winter at Savannah. After that he was unable to carry a musket, so did not march with his comrades, but went by boat to Washington, where he was honorably discharged in May, 1865. After his experience of military life, Mr. McVey returned to Danville and resumed mining, which occupation he continued till 1873. He then rented land and engaged in farming the ensuing five years. During that time he established himself in the mercantile business at Tilton, his wife, a woman of more than ordinary ability, acting as manager. She proved so successful that Mr. McVey finally determined to enlarge the business and devote his time to it, and from that small beginning has grown his present prosperous business. He is the only merchant in Tilton, and carries a large stock of general merchandise, groceries, etc., and has a neat, well appointed store. July 2. 1869, Mr. McVey took a step that has had an important bearing on his after life whereby he secured a wife in the person of Mrs. Julia (McHeney) Mulhatton, who has been an important factor in his prosperity. She is, like himself, a native of Ireland, born in County Monaghan, and is the daughter of Patrick and Ann (Mulhollan) McHeney, and the widow of James Mulhatton. Her parents were both natives of Ireland, and her father dying when she was very young, her mother soon after took her children to England, and later came to America, five of her children coming at different times. Mrs. McVey was first married in County Durham, England, when but a girl in her teens, to James Mulhatton. When she was nineteen years of age she accompanied her husband to the United States, and they lived one year in Pennsylvania. They subsequently came to Vermilion County, and here Mr. Mulhatton died while in the prime of life. Our subject is a fine specimen of the genus homo denominated the self-made man, as all that he has and all that he is he owes to his own exertions. He is a man of honor, whose character is unblemished, and his standing in business and social circles is of the highest. His frank, genial, and pleasant manner has given him a warm place in the hearts of his many associates and he is popular with all classes. In politics he affiliates with the Democrats, but is friendly with all parties. He has represented Danville Township ns Assistant Supervisor of the County Board four years; has served several terms as a member of the Tilton Town Council, and is at present President of that honorable body of men. He and his wife are members of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, contribute liberally to its support, and are active in its every good work.