MCQUILKIN, John

MCQUILKIN, RIDDLE, MCLAUGHLIN, GIFFEN, LARGE, MAHON, FULLER

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 12/9/2004 at 18:45:10

John McQuilkin is a resident of La Porte City, Iowa, who needs no introduction to the citizens of Black Hawk County, his business success, official position and social prominence having long made him familiar to all. Mr. McQuilkin was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1843, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Riddle) McQuilkin.

James McQuilkin was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1809, and died in Iowa in 1873. He was a son of Robert McQuilkin, who was of Scotch extraction, although born in Pennsylvania. James was reared on his father's farm until he left it to learn the shoemaker's trade. His education was the best that the district schools afforded at the time, and all through his life was noted for his intelligence and grasp of business. He followed his trade and also owned a farm which his sons assisted him to operate. In 1865 he removed his family to Black Hawk County. He married Rebecca Riddle, who was born in February, 1811, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and died in Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1867. These most worthy people became the parents of seven sons, two of whom died in infancy, but five survived to splendid manhood, and one gave his life for his country, while three of his brothers were, at the same time, jeopardizing theirs in the same cause. Capt. Robert J. McQuilkin, now of La Porte City, served in the Civil War as a member of Company D, 31st Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., enlisting on the same day as did his brother, our subject. William R. McQuilkin died in 1863, aged 28 years. James R. McQuilkin was killed at the battle of the Wilderness on May 9, 1864. Samuel S. McQuilkin, now a resident of Pennsylvania, was a member of the Home Guards.

The father of this family had reared his children in the faith of the Presbyterian Church in which he was an elder for 30 years and with scarcely less care, in the principles of the Republican party, which he believed were the ones to make the country the great nation it is today.

Our subject was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools until 17 years old, when he went to learn harness-making and tanning. He was but a beardless youth at this time and was probably considered by his family and friends yet too young to take any very serious stand in life, but when the Civil War became a settled issue he proved himself not to young to go to the defense of his country and we find him passing his 19th birhday on the bloody field of Bull Run. He enlisted on August 14, 1862, at Freeport, Pennsylvania, in Company C, 139th Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., under Capt. John G. Parr, in the 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, which was then under the command of General McClellan. The long list of battles in which he fought until he was taken ill and sent to a hospital, includes Bull Run, where he assisted in the burial of the fallen heroes; South Mountain; Antietam and the first battle of Fredricksburg. Mr. McQuilkin was then prostrated with typhoid fever and was sent to the Carver Hospital at Washington, D.C. After a slow convalescence of six months, he was finally discharged and permitted to return home. A whole year passed before he regained his normal health; he then resumed farming on the old place and continued until 1865, when he accompanied his parents to Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Mr. McQuilkin engaged in farming until 1875 when he removed to La Porte City and entered into the stock business, as buyer and shipper. For five years he kept two Clydesdales registered horses, and has followed stock dealing almost ever since.

From the second candidacy of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. McQuilkin has voted with the Republican party and has long been a political leader in Black Hawk County. In 1889 President Harrison appointed him postmaster of La Porte City and he served most acceptably for almost five years. Prior to this he had served as a member of the Board of County Supervisors, elected from the district made up of Big Creek, Spring Creek and Cedar townships, resigning to accept the position of postmaster after almost 13 years continuous service, having been elected five times. For the past 10 years he has been assessor of La Porte City and has two years yet to serve on his last election. For three years he was a valued member of the City Council.

On December 5, 1867, Mr. McQuilkin was married to Emma A. McLaughlin, who was born in Westmorland, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1849, and is a daughter of Samuel and Mary McLaughlin, of that State. Mr. and Mrs. McQuilkin have these children: Mary Mildred, who married J.A. Giffen, of Burlington, Iowa, and has one son, James R; William R. who is in a grocery business at Rock Valley, Iowa; Jennie M., who married J.J. Large, of Rock Valley, Iowa, and has two children, Alice L., and an infant; Rebecca Grace, who married J.S. Mahon, of Le Mars, Iowa, and has one child, Helen M; Sarah K., who married C.F. Fuller, of Waterloo, and has one child, Graden T; Vera G., who is a teacher in Rock Valley High School; and Exie, who is at home.

Mr. McQuilkin has been very active in the Presbyterian Church for many years. For a quarter of a century he had been choirmaster and possesses a fine tenor voice. Formerly he was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America for 15 years.

Source: History of Black Hawk County, Iowa

and Represenattive Citizens 1873 - 1904

John McQuilkin 1843 - 1921
Burial: Westview Cemetery, La Porte City, Black

Hawk County, Iowa