McGUIRE, Charles - 1890 Bio (1817-1904)

MCGUIRE, HINESLEY, DRIVER, CHATTERTON, CLOYD, ROSS, JUNKIN, BONNAFIELD, SMITHEIN, MADDEN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/15/2007 at 20:29:40

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 354-355

Charles McGUIRE, a gentleman of Irish descent, engaged in farming on section 3, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Iowa of 1839, and for forty-three years he has made his home in this vicinity. Born on the 12th of August, 1817, in Butler County, Ohio, he graced the union of Michael McGUIRE and Elizabeth HINESLEY. The McGUIRE family was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject at a comparatively early day in the history of the colonies. Michael McGUIRE was born in North Carolina, and reared to manhood upon a farm. After his marriage, which was celebrated in his native State, where the lady of his choice was also born, he removed to Ohio and the home was there gladdened by the presence of six children. He developed a farm from raw land in the Buckeye State and gained a livelihood therefrom for twenty years, after which he sold out and removed to Randolph County, Ind., locating near Winchester, where he spent the remainder of his life. He closed his eyes in death in 1828, and his loss was mourned by the entire community. His good wife survived him some eighteen years and died at the home of her son Charles in Iowa, in 1846. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. McGUIRE in Ohio were: Samuel, who died in Indiana; Thomas, whose death occurred in Missouri; Sarah, who became the wife of George DRIVER, and died near Rome, Iowa; Charles, of this sketch; Nancy, wife of Joseph HINESLEY, of Indiana, and Mary, wife of Alvin CHATTERTON, of McPherson, Kan. In Indiana, the family circle was increased by the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Andrew CLOYD of North Manchester, Ind.

In the manner usual to farmer lads Charles McGUIRE spent his boyhood days and during three months in the year -- the winter season, he was permitted to attend the subscription schools, which was the only scholastic training he received. His father dying when he was quite young, to a great extent he was thrown upon his own resources and to provide for his maintenance he learned the tanner's trade. At the age of sixteen he began working as a farm hand and continued to serve in that capacity until 1839, when following Horace Greeley's advice he left his old home for the West, locating in what is now the city of Burlington, then a mere hamlet on the bank of the Mississippi. The succeeding autumn he removed to Rome, Henry County, which continued to be his place of residence until 1847, when he came to his present farm. Only do the pioneers know of the hardships and privations borne by the frontier settlers. Means of communication with the outside world were very inefficient, traveling was difficult in those days and they thus were forced to struggle along, unaided saved by the assistance they rendered one another. Again, the work of developing and improving a farm from the raw prairie was no easy task and Mr. McGUIRE suffered the added difficulty of poor health for about three years after his arrival in Iowa. He is now the owner of a good farm, but in 1847, when he made a purchase of one hundred and ninety-four acres, there was but little resemblance between that tract and his home of to-day. A little cabin constituted the improvements, but with characteristic energy the work of development was carried forawrd and in due time the boundaries of the farm were extended until it embraced forty additional acres. We find the Indians frequently visiting the settlement in that early period which witnessed the arrival of Mr. McGUIRE in the county, and wild game of all kinds was plentiful, but it has now become an honor to be numbered among the pioneers and he can forget the difficulties and trials which he encountered in the pleasure of knowing that he has had a hand in producing the present prosperity which characterizes Southeastern Iowa.

On the 9th of July, 1846, Mr. McGUIRE was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Margaret ROSS, daughter of Sullivan Sutherland and Mary Ann (JUNKIN) ROSS, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana. Her father was reared in Lexington, Ky., and at the age of twenty-one removed to Indiana, where he entered land and on the 10th of July, 1823, in Rush County, married Miss JUNKIN. They removed to Missouri in 1831, and later became residents of Quincy, Ill., where the death of Mrs. ROSS occurred. The family afterwards settled on the bank of the Mississippi, just opposite Ft. Madison, Iowa, and in 1834, became residents of the city of Burlington. Four years later we find them residing on a farm near Lockridge, where Mr. ROSS built and operated a mill. The gold excitement drew him to California in 1851, but two years later he returned to Iowa, and settled near Rome, Henry County, whence they removed to Eddyville, Wapello County, where he died in 1857. He was twice married, by his first union he had six children and by the second, four children were born. William J., the eldest of the family, is living in Reno County, Kan; Nancy, wife of S. J. BONNAFIELD, died in California; Margaret, born May 27, 1827, in Rush County, Ind., is now Mrs. McGUIRE; Thomas E. died in 1851; James H., and Eliza J., the two remaining children of the first marriage are also deceased. Mr. ROSS was twice elected to the constitutional conventions of Iowa, and was a prominent and influential citizen of the State.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. McGUIRE numbers five children, as follows: Mary E., who was born in February, 1850, and is now the wife of Henry SMITHEIN, a stock raiser of Nevada; Thomas R., born in 1851, married Sarah MADDEN, of Brighton, Iowa, and is now living in Greenfield, Adair County; Charles S., born in 1854, is located in Lyon County, Kan.; William M. born in 1859, resides on the old homestead and assists his father in operating the same; Samuel, born in 1862, makes his home with his parents. Good common-school advantages were offered these children, that they might be fitted for the active duties of life and by the discharge of the same become useful citizens. The mother of the family is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McGUIRE is a Democrat in politics and frequently serves as a member of the county and congressional conventions. His opinions are of weight in those assemblies and he is considered an influential member of that party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. Several times he has been called upon to serve in public positions, for four years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, two terms acted as Assessor and for eleven years has been a member of the School Board.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.