PHILETUS McMEANS, b 17 Oct 1837

MCMEANS, MCCLURE

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 7/10/2004 at 16:57:27

Philetus McMeans is a fine representative of the farmers and stock-raisers of Jackson County who are most active in sustaining and extending its great agricultural interests, and are daily adding to its wealth and importance. His farm in Perry Township is classed among the best-managed and most valuable estates in this part of the county, and its neat, tasty and commodious buildings are the finest in the whole township. Mr. McMeans owes the enviable success that he has achieved, not only to his skill as a practical, wide-awake farmer, but to the fact that he is systematic, methodical and business-like in his work even to the minutest details, has everything under his personal supervision, and good order prevails in his domain, as he believes in "having a place for everything, and having everything in its place."

Our subject comes of a worthy ancestry. His grandfather, James McMeans, was born in the North of Ireland, and, coming to American when a young man, located in Mercer County, Pa. He was a horse dealer, and owned a farm. While shipping horses to New Orleans at one time, death overtook him, and he was gethered to his fathers. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, was always strictly honorable in his dealings, and commanded universal respect. His son James, the father of our subject, was born on the 4th of October, 1807. He was given a liberal education, and, choosing the profession of a physician, he studied in Wilmington College, and was graduated from that institution of learning, and later took a fine course at the Cannonsburg Medical College, from which he was graduated with an excellent preparation for his after career. He opened an office in Clarksville, and built up an extensive practice there. He was married in that city of Eliza McClure, who was born near Shakerville, Mercer Co., Pa., Aug. 14, 1815. Her father, Andrew McClure, was born near Washington City. He accompanied his parents to Mercer County when he was a boy, and was there engaged in farming until his death. He served with valor in the War of 1812. His father, Robert McClure, was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch parentage. He emigrated to America in Colonial times, and located near Washington City, Pa. He subsequently moved to Mercer County, where he engaged in milling, and there his earthly pilgrimage was brought to a close. The mother of our subject, a most estimable lady, makes her home with him, and is enjoying a serene old age, surrounded by all the comforts that filial love can provide. She is a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church, and has always led a Christian life.

In 1847 Dr. McMeans sold his property in his native State, and, coming by boat to Iowa, landed at Bellevue after a voyage of seventeen days. He bought a claim to a tract of land on section 17, Perry Township, and, besides practicing medicine, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a pioneer physician here, and his practice extended over a large area of county, and he was a welcome visitor in many a household. His death, which was caused by a stroke of lightning, June 28, 1863, when he was returning from the funeral services of his son, who had yielded up his life for his country before Vicksburg, was a source of grief to many beyond the home circle. He was a noble, tender-hearted man, and the cause of the oppressed found in him a champion. He was a strong abolitionist in anti-bellum times, and joined the Republican party after its organization. He was a consistent Christian, and a valued attendant of the Presbyterian church. To him and his wife six children were born, as follows: Andrew, deceased; Philetus; J.W., in Maquoketa; Richard F., Superintendent of the Poor Farm; Mary E., in Dakota; and Mattie, in a Chicago publishing house. The family was well represented in the late war by three sons. Andrew enlisted in Company A, 9th Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and served until he was shot dead before Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. J.W. was a member of the same regiment, enlisting in 1861, and serving three years. He was wounded at Vicksburg, shot through the shoulder, recovered, and joining his regiment again, served until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was wounded again, shot through the hand, at Pea Ridge. Richard enlisted in Company M, 2d Iowa Cavalry, in the fall of 1861, and served three years.

Philetus McMeans, of this sketch, was born in Clarksville, Mercer Co., Pa., Oct. 17, 1837, and was a boy of nine years when he came to Iowa with his parents in the spring of 1847. The educational advantages were very good for the times, the school which he attended being conducted in the primitive log school-house. As soon as he was old enough he was set to work to assist in clearing the farm and putting it under tillage, and, on account of his father's poor health, he had the entire management of the homestead until the latter's death. In the fall of 1863 he bought 160 acres of land on section 17, which still forms part of his farm. There was a house standing on it, but no other improvements, but in the busy years that have since followed he has wrought a great change, having, with characteristic energy, ability, and tenacity of purpose developed his land into one of the finest and most productive farms in the country. He erected substantial buildings, which are conceded to be the best in the township, set out groves and orchards, which are now beautiful features in the landscape, and has bought sixty acres of land adjacent, forty acres on section 29, and twenty acres on section 20. In 1871 he put up a large barn, 58x64 feet, and in 1879 he built an addition, 22x35 feet. He has also erected two wind-mills, two tanks, and a reservoir, 10x29, with a capacity of 800 barrels. He is one of the leading stock-raisers in his neighborhood, has a fine herd of full-blooded and graded Short-horns, and besides buys and feeds cattle, shipping two cars a year. He ships one car of full-blooded Poland-China hogs each season. He is Treasurer of the Horse Breeders' Association of Andrews, which is devoted to the rearing of graded Percherons.

Mr. McMeans is a man of sturdy, self-respecting character, well dowered with firmness and activity, and has a mind and decided opinions of his own, which he is fearless in expressing on proper occasions, although he is by no means obtrusive or offensive in his manner. He is a strong Republican, one of the leaders of the party in this section of the county, has been a member of County and Central Committees, and a delegate to the County Convention.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)