Biographical Sketch of James G. McCAY (1897): Cecil Co., MD Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ********************************************************* "Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland.", New York, Chapman Publishing Co., 1897, p. 481. "JAMES G. McCAY. There are no rules for building character; there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise to the prominent posi- tion is he who can see and utilize the opportunities which surround the human race. He who takes advantage of these and has energy and perserver- ance overcomes the obstacles in his path will ultimately reach the goal of success, and the worth of such a man to the community in which he lives is widely recognized. Today among the prominent business men of Cecil County stands Mr. McCay, who is accounted one of her leading agriculturalists. "He resides in District No. 7, and in this neighborhood was born in 1823. He is a descendant of John McCay, a native of Scotland, and a descendant of the Scottish nobility, who came to America about 1775, locating near Row- landsville. The father, James McCay, was a native of Maryland, and served his country in the War of 1812, with the rank of major. His life was large- ly devoted to farming and merchandising, and he followed the latter occupa- tion in Port Deposit. His business was ably conducted an din his under- takings he won a well-merited success. He married Miss Mary Broughton, and died in 1881, on the old homestead, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Of his family of eleven children only four are now living namely: Henry, of District No. 7; James G., Joshua and Marcus. "James G. McCay, whose name forms the caption of this article, supplemented his early education, acquired in the district schools, by a course in McGrow Academy, where he completed his studies at the age of eighteen years. He then entered upon his business career, and going to Baltimore, for sev- eral years he remained in that city, acquiring not only a good living, but also a valuable experience which fitted him for his own mercantile career. He began business on his own account in that city and was thus engaged for five years, after which, however, he returned to the pursuit to which he was reared, that of farming. In 1857 he purchased what is now known as the Indian Queen farm in District No. 7, Cecil County, where he has resided since 1859. He has here forty-seven acres of rich and arable land and suc- cessfully carries on general farming, the well-tilled fields yielding to the owner a golden tribute for the care and cultivation he bestows upon them. "Mr. McCay was married in 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Isabel C. Broughton, a native of Cecil County. They have a family of five children, as follows: Sophia, Mary R., Florence, Margaret, and Joshua P., of Elkton. Mr. McCay and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. They are people of the highest respectability, widely and favorably known throughout the entire county, and their circle of friends is extensive. Mr. McCay gives his sup- port to the Democracy, and while he manifests an intelligent interest in political questions, has never sought nor desired official preferment. His life has been well spent in quiet but honorable pursuits and his marked characteristics are such as to commend him to the confidence and good will of all."