Judge Samuel McBirnie

MCBIRNIE

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 09:31:37

Judge Samuel McBirnie, justice of the peace at Boone, has occupied his present official position for fifteen years and throughout the entire period his opinions have been characterized by a fairness and impartiality that are seldom questioned. A native of Belfast, Ireland, he was born in April 5, 1834, but when five years of age was taken to Scotland by his parents, David and Sarah McBirnie. The father was employed bon the docks in connection with outgoing vessels. His position did not bring him any great income and when but eight years of age Samuel McBirnie went to work in the coal mines with his sister. He continued in active connection with that business until 1894. About 1864 he crossed the Atlantic to America and subsequently worked in the mines in Pennsylvania, Ohio and in Boone. After coming to Iowa he finally leased coal lands, which he operated on his own account for a number of years. He then turned his attention to the insurance business and about the same time was elected justice of the peace, which office he has held for fifteen consecutive years. Never have any of his decisions been reversed and his impartial judgments have been the secret of his long continuance in the office.
Judge McBirnie was united in marriage to Miss Marguerite Miller, a native of Scotland, who came to the new world about the year after his arrival. They were married near Dunfermiline, Scotland, and to them were born eleven children, of whom only two are living. William who is engaged in mining and Robert who is a conductor on the Northwestern Railroad.
In his political views Judge McBirnie is a stalwart republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He served as a member of the city council for the fifth ward for four years. He was also township trustee for six years and was road supervisor for a similar period. In the discharge of his official duties he has ever been found in his reelections. More that sixty years ago he joined the Masons in Scotland and he now holds membership in the Mount Olive Lodge, NO 79, A F & A M. He also joined the Latter Day Saints church in Scotland, an organization which has as its motto “Mind you own business,” and to this rule Judge McBirnie has strictly adhered. A business man of Boone who has known him for more than thirty years says of him: “He is the soul of honor and the most truthful man in Boone.” He has now reached the advanced age of eighty yeas and he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who have come into the evening of life and whose past record is one of personal ad public honor.

1914 Boone County History Book