Scotland-Cumberland-Robeson County NcArchives Biographies.....McCaskill, John Chesley 1832 - 1916
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary Modlin n/a November 2, 2011, 9:46 pm

Source: Google
Author: Cyclopedia

John Chesley McCaskill, 1832 - 1916

Transcribed by Mary Modlin.  This book is available for online reading or PDF 
download from Google.

J. C. McCASKILL, who for many years was one of the most prominent and 
influential business men of Robeson county, N. C., now retired, first saw the 
light in Cumberland County, N. C., April 18, 1832, his parents being, Daniel 
and Mary (Campbell) McCaskill.  Daniel was a native of Scotland, while his 
wife was born in North Carolina.  At the age of about twenty years Mr. 
McCaskill sought a broader field for his labors and emigrated to America.  He 
settled in Cumberland county, N. C., and remained there until his death in 
1880; both himself and wife lived to the advanced age of ninety years, the 
latter having died about three months after his demise.  He was a successful 
planter, and a man of much intelligence and native refinement.  The father and 
mother were life-long members of the Presbyterian church.  Two sons and two 
daughters are living of the seven children born to them.  Three of the sons 
fought in the Confederate service, Neill having enlisted in South Carolina in 
1861.  He served in the army of northern Virginia, and fought as a faithful 
and valiant solder in several battles.  He was one of the heroes who charged 
at Reams station, and since that time has never been heard from.  He fills an 
honored soldier's grave.  The youngest son was Daniel, who enlisted in the 
southern army in 1861, having fought in Col. Hokes' brigade, of the army of 
northern Virginia.  After participating in many noted battles, he was mortally 
wounded at Gettysburg, and died three days later.  He was twenty-nine years of 
age at the time of his death, and like his brother died loving the cause he 
espoused.  The second son is Roderick McCaskill, now a prominent citizen of 
Laurinburg.  Sarah, married Mr. Angus McDonald, and until after the death of 
her parents and husband she resided at Laurinburg.  Mary died at the age of 
forty-two years.  Nancy is a resident of Laurinburg.

J. C. McCaskill received a general education in different private schools in 
Cumberland county, and at the age of twenty-two began his business career in 
the turpentine business, to which he added agriculture.  He was thus engaged 
in 1861, when he enlisted in the First North Carolina battalion, in the 
company commanded by Capt. McRae, and served in the army until the fall of 
Fort Fisher and Wilmington, when he entered the military telegraph service, 
later serving in Gen. Lee's army, and he surrendered with the great 
chieftain's forces at Appomatox.  After the war Mr. McCaskill resumed 
turpentine distilling, but a few years subsequent turned his attention to the 
mercantile business, which he followed for twenty years with much success.  In 
1887 he disposed of his business interests, and since has been actively 
engaged in farming.  His marriage to Miss Maggie McClaurin, of South Carolina, 
December 24, 1867, was most happy.  Two years later, on the 9th of August, she 
was called to rest.  She was an active and earnest member of the Presbyterian 
church, and a lady of most estimable qualities.  Her demise occurred in her 
twenty-fourth year.  Mr. McCaskill was married a second time May 17, 1877, 
when Miss Mary C. McLean became his wife.  She was the daughter of Mr. John F. 
McLean, of Robeson county, N. C.  Three children, now living, have been born 
to this union, viz.:  Mary  Campbell, John C. and Sarah Amanda.  Both Mr. and 
Mrs. McCaskill are communicants of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an 
elder, and he is also prominently identified with the Masonic order.

Additional Comments:
Source:  McCrady, Edward and Ashe, Samuel A'Court, Cyclopedia of Eminent and 
Representative Men of the Carolinas of the Nineteenth Century, Volume II, 
Brant & Fuller, Madison, Wis., 1892, pp. 512-513

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