J. B. McCleary

MCCLEARY, HITCHCOCK

Posted By: Mary Hitchcock <Mary_hitchcock@hotmail.com>
Date: 10/24/2005 at 11:25:18

We called on J.B. MCCLEARY at his residence on Sunday and proceeded to interview him: MR. MCCLEARY emigrated from Ohio to Michigan in 1832; from there to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1838, and from there he emigrated to California in 1851 and embarked in the mining business. In 1853 he bought 160 acres of land in Decatur County, Iowa, one mile north of High Point, paying $140 for the same. He secured his title or patent from the government signed by Abraham Lincoln and he still has it in his possession. He did not move to Iowa to take possession of his farm until thirteen years afterward, in l866, when he first saw the land. He then proceeded to make improvements. A log house was built, rails were made and part of the land fenced. How different the place looks now; a commodious dwelling, l l/2 stories high with basement, and two large barns, one of which is 70x38 feet, and the other is 60xl6 feet. He has also increased his farm to 230 acres, besides sixty acres of timber that is situated on Weldon Creek, about a mile from his place. He has turned his attention to the breeding of thoroughbred horses, cattle and hogs. He is a third owner of the full blooded Belgian stallion, that is kept at High Point, is sole owner of a thoroughbred Hereford bull and raises the noted Red Jersey hogs. He has at present sixteen head of horses, and sixty-five head of cattle. He is a member of the firm of MCCLEARY & HITCHCOCK, nurserymen, who have for sale all kinds of shade and ornamental trees. MR. MCCLEARY was Justice of the Peace of High Point Township for eight successive terms, and we do not believe we have ever had a better one. He is a member of the Masonic Temple Lodge No. l70 of Garden Grove, and has been a Mason for more than twenty years. The writer, with a numberless host of other friends, are right in saying that MR. and MRS. MCCLEARY and their daughter, JOSIE, and son, ALBERT, know how to entertain visitors when there are any present at their home. They are regular attendants at the M.E. Church and Sunday School, and always have a kind word for all. They are readers of the JOURNAL, and enjoy reading it. With the exception of two years, MR. MCCLEARY has been a subscriber of the JOURNAL, ever since it was born. May he continue to read it. Source: Decatur County Iowa Journal, March 20, l890.

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