McCleary, John B.

MCCLEARY, BARNHAM, HALE, HITCHCOCK

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/19/2019 at 08:42:56

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 515:

"JOHN B. McCLEARY, farmer, nurseryman and stock-raiser, resides on section 14, High Point Township, where he owns 280 acres of land, well stocked, with plenty of good water, and commodious buildings. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 7, 1830, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Barhan) McCleary, natives of Virginia and Maryland. The father was born February 20, 1802, and died in High Point Township, August 17, 1871. The mother was born in Baltimore County, Maryland. August 12, 1805, and died May 8, 1876. They came to Jefferson County, Iowa, the 4th day of June, 1838, where they lived until the spring of 1857, when they came to Decatur County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. McCleary went to California in 1850, remaining there sixteen years, devoting his time to mining. He was successful enough to purchase 200 acres of the land that he now lives on. He was married to Miss Nancy Hale, May 18, 1854, in El Dorado County, California. They had two children -- William J. and Albert L., the eldest living in Colfax, California, the youngest at home. His wife died July 1, 1859. He came to Decatur County in October, 1866, and September 9, 1869, was married to Miss Mary L. Hitchcock, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 6, 1836. They had two children; both died in infancy. Mr. McCleary has held the office of township clerk two years, that of assessor one year, school director four years, secretary of the School Board six years, and is the present incumbent. He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, which office he still holds. He has been treasurer of the Decatur County Mutual insurance Company since October 26, 1881. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Temple Lodge, No. 170, Garden Grove, Iowa. When a boy he advocated the Free-Soil doctrine, and when the Republican party came into existence he identified himself with that party to such an extent that his father disinherited him, he being an old-line Democrat. What Mr. McCleary has he has made by his own energy, and through his integrity and zeal he has come to be one of the representative men of the county."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)