McGinnis, James B.

MCGINNIS, CAMPBELL, EXLEY, BROWNLIE, CARPENTER, TURNER

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:45:16

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JAMES B. McGINNIS.

This well-known and progressive farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section thirteen, Eden township, is proud to claim Iowa as his native state, his birth having occurred in Scott county, November 20, 1858. His father, William McGinnis, was born in Ireland and was left an orphan in childhood. Making his way to the new world when twelve years of age, he first located in Philadelphia, and later came west, working in the lead mines of Galena, Illinois, for some time. In 1840 he made a permanent location in Scott county, Iowa, becoming one of its earliest settlers. There he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and subsequently bought more land, until he had four hundred and eighty, which he converted into one of the best and most desirable farms of that locality. Through his own unaided efforts he not only acquired a comfortable competence, but also made for himself and family an honorable name. He was married in Scott county, June 11, 1843, to Miss Mary Campbell, who was born and reared in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John Campbell, a pioneer of Scott county, Iowa. After operating his farm for many years Mr. McGinnis removed to Le Claire, where he made his home until his death, which occurred August 11, 1885. His wife still survives him, at the age of seventy-six years, and finds a pleasant home with our subject.

In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, six sons and six daughters, namely: John C., a retired citizen of Seattle, Washington; Esther, who married G. H. Exley and died in Nebraska; Martha, who died when a young lady; Eliza L., who married Alexander Brownlie, and died in Scott county; Isaphenia, wife of Seymour L. Carpenter, of Clear Lake, Iowa; William, who died in infancy; William H., a farmer of Scott county; James B., of this review; Mary Luella, who died at the age of thirteen years; Charles, who died at the age of sixteen; Nelson E., who died in the same year at the age of fourteen; and Preston H., a business man of Princeton, Scott county.

James B. McGinnis spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead, and to its cultivation he devoted his time when not in school. His education was principally acquired in the home school, but was supplemented by one term’s attendance at the preparatory school in Iowa City. He was married in Clinton county, on the 5th of May, 1886, to Miss Susie C. Turner, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband; her father, Joseph Turner, living first in Scott county and later in Clinton county, where she was reared and educated. She died March 9, 1898, and was laid to rest in the Elmwood cemetery at DeWitt. She left one daughter, Edna Clella, who is with her father.

For two years after his marriage Mr. McGinnis operated the old home farm, but in 1890 removed to Boone county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres near the city of Boone. After residing there one year he sold the place at a good profit and came to Clinton county, buying his present home of one hundred and sixty acres on section thirteen, Eden township. He has made many substantial improvements upon this place, having enlarged and remodeled the residence, fenced and tiled the land and set out fruit and ornamental trees. He raises and feeds a good grade of stock, shipping from two to four carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs to market annually, and is accounted one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of his community.

The Republican party has always found in Mr. McGinnis a stanch supporter of its principles since he cast his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield in 1880, and he has ever taken an active interest in public affairs. He efficiently served as trustee of Eden township four years, and as an earnest supporter of our public-school system he has done much to promote the educational interests in his locality as a member of the school board for some years and as president of the district.