Will County IL Archives Biographies.....McClure, Cornelius J 1850 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:43 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 CORNELIUS J. McCLURE. In traveling about Will County one is struck by the appearance of neatness and order which many of its homes bear and the evidences of thrift and enterprise which are to be seen on every hand. These features are noticeable in contemplating the estate occupied by the above- named gentleman, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, on section 19, Manhattan Township. It is evident that the manager of this place is successfully pursuing his avocation, which is plainly seen to be that of grain and stock-raising. Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine of good grades graze over the broad acres, and some twenty head of high-grade draft horses are also visible. Investigation reveals the fact that Mr. McClure has recently suffered the loss by fire of a large barn, 40x70 feet, and other buildings, but that substantial structures will soon replace the temporary shelter which he has been compelled to use for a time. The inquirer would also learn that he operates two hundred and forty acres of land, and rents an equal amount, and that his entire landed estate is tillable, well tiled, fenced and otherwise improved. It is divided into three improved places, one comprising a quarter of section 25, Jackson Township, and another, eighty acres on section 30, Manhattan Township, watered by Mud Creek. The McClure family is of Scotch lineage, and the branch to which our subject belongs was represented in the third generation previous to his time by a McClure who was born near New York City, and was an early settler in St. Albans, Vt. A brother of this gentleman belonged to the Revolutionary army, was taken prisoner and confined in a prison ship, his place of confinement being so loathsome that he became crazy. The grandfather of our subject was James McClure, born in Franklin County, Vt., in 1777, and the owner of a farm which he operated until his death. The next in the paternal line of descent was David, who was born near St. Albans, Franklin County, Vt., and followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a farmer. David McClure cleared a farm one-half mile from Lake Champlain, and there raised large flocks of sheep and herds of other stock. In the fall of 1854 he sold his Eastern property, and coming to Will County, Ill., purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land in Wilmington Township, and immediately set about its improvement. After having seen his labors crowned with success, in 1864 he removed to Green Garden Township, purchasing an equal amount there, upon which he remained but eighteen months. He then sold, and in the fall of 1865 became a resident of Manhattan Township. He purchased eighty acres of land on section 30, together with one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Jackson Township, and building upon the former, operated the entire acreage until 1880, when he retired to Manhattan. He spent the remainder of his life in the repose which his former industry merited, breathing his last in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a stanch member of the Republican party. In-earlier years he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later transferred his membership to the United Brethren Church, in both societies assisting to upbuild the cause of Christianity by joining the efforts to erect a house of worship, and in all else which the organizations undertook. The wife of David McClure was Charlotte Ayers, likewise a native of Franklin County, Vt., and a daughter of Benjamin Ayers, who was born and spent his earlier years in Massachusetts. On removing from his native State, Mr. Ayers continued his agricultural work in Enosburg Township, in the county wherein his daughter opened her eyes to the light of day. That worthy lady died in 1886, at the age of fifty-eight years. She had borne her husband three children, of whom our subject is the first-born. The others are Judson L., now living in Manhattan Village, and Orrin, who died when but three years old. The natal day of Cornelius J. McClure was May 13, 1850, and his birthplace the old McClure home, on the banks of Lake Champlain, not far from St. Albans, Vt. He has but slight recollections of his native place, as he accompanied his parents to this county early in his fifth year. They traveled by rail to Joliet, and the childhood of our subject was spent amid the primitive surroundings incident to the cultivation and development of new land. His remembrance of the wildness of the prairie includes the charming sight of a flock of eighteen deer. He early learned to bear a share in the work of the farm, and during the war, when older and stronger hands were scarce, was counted as one on the harvest field and elsewhere. Young McClure was but fourteen years old when the family removed from Wilmington to Green Garden Township, and fifteen when they came to Manhattan Township. He had enjoyed the advantages of the district schools whenever it was possible for him to attend them, and when nineteen, was given the privilege of attending Jennings Seminary, at Aurora, one term. He remained with his father until he became of use, and in 1872 rented a tract of his father, and began his personal efforts as a farmer. In the spring of 1873 he went West by rail to learn something of the country beyond the Mississippi. He became a brakeman on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, between Brookville, Ft. Wallace and Denver, and later went to Nevada, where he filled a similar position on the Central Pacific Railroad, between Toana and Winnemucka. He returned to his home in the spring of 1874, by way of San Francisco and Panama, sailing from the Isthmus to New York on the "Acapulco," and consuming seven weeks in the homeward journey. Resuming work on his father's farm, Mr. McClure in a few months became the purchaser of eighty acres on section 30, the operation of which he added to that of some of the homestead, continuing it until 1879. In the meantime, on December 23, 1875, he had been joined in wedlock to Miss Emily Morgan, and at the date before named they located on property belonging to her, which has since been their home. This is the valuable estate on section 19, in addition to which Mr. McClure operates a part of section 30. After the death of his father he bought his brother's interest in the parental homestead, bringing up his landed estate to four hundred and eighty acres. Mrs. McClure was born in Neansay Township, Kendall County, Ill., where her father, Moses Morgan, had settled in 1850. Two years later he removed to the vicinity of Joliet, and having prosecuted successfully his occupation of tilling the soil, eventually became the owner of eleven hundred acres of land. After his death, in 1877, his daughter's share of the estate was overseen by her husband. Mrs. McClure was educated at Joliet, and it would be hard to find a lady of more pleasing characteristics and genuine worth. Her gracious hospitality and mental culture make her home a favorite gathering place for friends, while to her husband and children it is the dearest spot on earth. The interesting group about the fireside includes six sons and daughters, namely: Alice, Mark, Ara, Irvin, Addie and Wayne; while two children have gone before. Not only has the enterprise of Mr. McClure secured him a good estate and nil the comforts of life, but he has gained a still bettor reward for his meritorious life in the good-will of numerous friends and an honorable reputation. He is now serving his third term as Township School Trustee, and he was Village Trustee for one year, his home having been included in the corporation when the charter was first given, but later set off. He belongs to the Grange at Manhattan, having the station of Overseer. He gives his ballot to the candidates of the Republican party, and is an earnest advocate of temperance. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/mcclure1448nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.6 Kb