Ray County, Missouri Biographies - Thomas McGinnis (b. 1827)

Source: History of Ray County, Missouri 1881; p. 617-618


THOMAS McGINNIS

Thomas McGinnis was born September 26, 1827, in Anderson county, Kentucky. He received
his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and at Versailles, Woodford
county. He was married in November, 1847, before he was twenty-one years of age, to Miss
Rebecca Boggess, of Anderson county, Kentucky. Soon after his marriage with Miss Boggess,
he removed to Missouri, and settled in Montgomery county, but remained there only one
year, till he came to Ray county, January, 1848, where he has ever since resided. After
locating in Ray county, Mr. McGinnis engaged in teaching school, at the same time
superintending a farm in the botton (sic) near Hardin. After three years he abandoned
the school-room, and devoted himself exclusively to farming and dealing in livestock. His
first wife died while he was engaged as teacher, and two years after her death he married
Miss Laura I. Shaw, a daughter of T. L. D. W. Shaw, now deceased. His second wife died in
Mays, 1865, and he subsequently married Mrs. Lucinda M. Duncan, widow of Mr. John Duncan,
and daughter of Bennett Stratton, formerly of Ray county. From these three marriages have
sprung twenty-one children, five of whom were born to his first wife, five to the second,
and eleven to the third, and out of this number only fourteen are living; one of them,
Sarah F., is married. She is the wife of James E. Wood, Esq.. Mr. McGinnis was justice of
the peace of Crooked River township for six years, having been first elected in 1870.
During this time he was at once justice of the peace, merchant, and farmer. His store
(one of general merchandise) was in Hardin; his farm near that village. He also at the
same time dealt somewhat extensively in live-stock. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of
Ray county on the democratic ticket, by a large majority over his republican competitor.
He filled this office with singular efficiency, and at the general election in November,
1878, the people, appreciating his ability as an officer, and admiring him for his many
excellent traits of character as a private citizen, demanded that he again be their
sheriff, and he was elected to a second term without opposition. Captain McGinnis
received at this election the largest vote ever cast in the county. By virtue of a law of
the state, he was prevented from availing himself of the general desire of his
fellow-citizens to again elect him to the office of sheriff. He was succeeded in office
by his son, James T. McGinnis, and retired to his home, about three miles southwest of
Richmond, where he now resides on his valuable and well-improved farm, in the enjoyment
of the respect and esteem of all the people of Ray county, whom he has served faithfully 
in important positions of public trust. Of genial disposition, courteous in manners,
obliging and agreeable to all, hospitable at his home, capable in office, always sincere,
frank and honest, it is not wonderful that Thomas McGinnis is universally popular. No man
of decent address and demeanor is denied a seat at his table; he is a generous host, a
warm-hearted friend, and in every sense of the word a true gentleman. Captain McGinnis is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias,
and has held responsible positions in each.


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