Faulk County, SD Biographies.....McGrath, John M. 1857 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 11, 2005, 5:55 pm

Author: C. H. Ellis



    JOHN M. McGRATH was born September, 1857, at Elgin, Illinois. When six years

of age his mother died, leaving three children, himself and one sister, (Mary

A.) older than himself, and one younger, (Sarah) of whom he has lost all

knowledge. The family with which he made his home moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa.

When eighteen years of age he went to Cedar county, Iowa, and his home was in

the state of Iowa until he came to Faulk county, in 1885.



    Mr. McGrath married Miss Martha I. Golden of Cedar county, Iowa, December 9,

1880. To them have been born six children, five of whom are now living, viz:

Emery E., Alvin E., Edna A., Alta M., and Elsie V. Emery E. married Miss Dora

Cloutier, July 17, 1901, and to them have been born four children. Alvin E.

married Miss Olive Smith July 21, 1909.



    Mr. McGrath's other children are yet at the family home in Pulaski township

in this county, where he removed with his family in January, 1885. When he came

to this county he had very little of this world's goods, but after coming he had

a full share of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. And in 1892 he was

$800.00 in debt and not a dollar above what was required to support his family.

But since that time there has been steady and growing prosperity. All debts have

been paid and he now owns a farm of four hundred and seventy acres, three

hundred and thirty of which are under cultivation and the remainder in a. well

fenced pasture; and one of the best set of farm buildings in Faulk county, only

three and one half miles from a railroad station. The best of modern improved

farm machinery, ten head of horses, thirty head of neat stock and seventy-five

hogs. Few, if any of the first settlers of this county, are in better

circumstances with more desirable surroundings. Mr. McGrath has not only found

time for the accomplishment of much results, but has served on the board of town

supervisors twelve years and is at the present time chairman of the board, as

well as chairman of the township school board.





Additional Comments:
From:



HISTORY OF

FAULK COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

CAPTAIN C. H. ELLIS



TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS



ILLUSTRATED

19O9

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