BIO: Alexander McCOY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _______________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 161 ALEXANDER McCOY is one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens of Centre county. He has a wide circle of friends, and by his genial manner and kindly disposition is constantly adding to that number. He is descended from honored ancestry of Scotch-Irish 162 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. blood, those races being largely represented in the settling of Penn's Valley, which thus became the home of a prosperous, reliable and substantial people. Mr. McCoy belongs to the third generation of the family in America, his grandfather, Alexander McCoy, being the first to come to the United States. He located in Mifflin county, where he married Miss Elizabeth McDowell. After removing to Centre county, he became the well-known host of the "Old Fort Hotel," and subsequently he purchased of the Potter family the farm upon which our subject now resides. He located thereon in 1847, and continued his residence there until his death, which occurred in 1870, when he was aged seventy-eight years; his wife died several years previously, and both were buried in Centre Hill cemetery. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics the grandfather was an Old-line Whig. He was a large, portly man, very robust, and was never ill until seized with the sickness that terminated his life. His children were John, father of our subject; Mary A., who became the wife of Dr. A. S. Harshberger, and died in Mifflin county; John F., who died on the home farm; Margaret, who died in Lock Haven, Penn.; and Hannah, widow of H. H. Van Dyke, of Lock Haven. John McCoy, father of our subject, was born in Mifflin county, in 1817, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. His school privileges were limited, but he eagerly perused much of the literature that came in his way, and in his later years was an almost constant reader, so that he became a well-informed man. From 1847 until his death he lived on the old family homestead. He married Agnes McCormick, who was born in Penn's Valley, in 1827, and was a daughter of John and Hannah (Shannon) McCormick. Her death occurred at the age of seventy-four years, and Mr. McCoy died November 26, 1895, the result of an injury done to his hand in a corn husker; their remains were interred in Centre Hill cemetery. He supported the Whig party until its dissolution, when he became a stanch Republican, firm in support of its principles. His children are Jane A., wife of Robert Sartain, of Mercersburg, Penn.; Bettie, wife of J. W. Wolf, of Centre Hall; Emma; Alexander; and John, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Alexander McCoy, whose name introduces this review, was born at "Old Fort," in Potter township, August 3, 1845, and during his early boyhood accompanied his parents to Potters Mills, where he acquired his education. When a boy he attended a select school, of which Prof. Love was principal, and also pursued his studies in the public schools. Realizing the value of mental training, he is a warm friend of the cause of education, and does all in his power to advance the interests of the schools of his locality. His boyhood days were spent under the parental roof, and when a young man he began dealing in live stock. Soon he became an excellent judge of stock, and his business transactions were therefore crowned with success. He purchased stock which he shipped to Philadelphia and to Delaware county, Penn., and throughout his life he has followed that pursuit in connection with farming. After his marriage he took up his residence in one of the two houses on the home farm, and at various times was his father's partner in business. He rented land of his father, and August 15, 1896, purchased a portion of the old homestead. He now owns a valuable tract of 150 acres of arable land, together with some mountain land and a small tract near Potters Mills. He readily sees the advantage to be derived from improved machinery, and is one of the truly progressive farmers of the township, utilizing the most advanced methods and improved implements in his farm work. In October, 1895, he suffered a very painful accident, losing the third and fourth fingers of his left hand while operating a corn husker and fodder cutter. At the age of twenty-five, in Boalsburg, Mr. McCoy wedded Mary E., daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Jack) Wilson, and a native of Boalsburg. Their children are Agnes, wife of A. D. Potts, a Lutheran minister of Youngstown, Ohio; Samuel W., who married Merab Randol, of Williamsport, Penn., and John F. and Katy (twins); the last named died at the age of five years, and John F. is now a merchant at his home, Potters Mills. Mr. McCoy is unwavering in his allegiance to the Republican party, which he has supported since casting his first Presidential vote for Lincoln in 1864. He warmly advocated the Republican doctrine, and does all in his power to insure the success of his party. He served most effectively as chairman of the Republican committee of Potter township, and is the advisor and counselor of his party in this section, but has never sought office for himself. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he contributes. He is a man of scholarly tastes, one who has read extensively, and is widely informed on matters of general interest. His business has brought him into contact with many, and the circle of his friends is almost as extensive as the circle of his acquaintances. He is most hospit- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 163 able, is pleasant and genial in manner,, and wherever he goes his genuine worth wins him the respect of all classes.