Re: date of death
JOHN ALEXANDER MCGREER
Posted By: Linda (email) In Response To: Re: date of death (Carolyn J Wheeler)
Date: 9/21/2003 at 14:05:04
Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee Co., Iowa, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887, pages 278 & 281--
JOHN MCGREER, an honored pioneer of Lee County, crossed the Father of Waters with his parents in the spring of 1837, when he was a child of six years old, and since that time has been a resident of this locality. The present proad commonwealth of Iowa was then a wild Territory, and it was eleven years before its admission into the Union as a State. In the long years which have elapsed since that time Mr. McGreer has noted with deep interest the remarkable changes which have transpired, and has materially aided in the development of this section.
The subject of this history was born in Fayette County, Ind., Feb. 13, 1831, his parents being Alexander and Jane (Livingston) McGreer, natives respectively of South and North Carolina. Alexander McGreer removed from his native State to Indiana when he was a youth of eighteen years, and was there married to the maiden of his choice, who remained his faithful companion until March 17, 1855, when she departed this life in Lee County, Iowa. He survived her twenty years, and died on the 1st of March, 1875. He was a farmer by occupation, and continued his chosen pursuit throughout his lifetime. After leaving Indiana he spent one year in Warren County, Ill., and after crossing the Mississippi tookup a claim on sections 25 and 26, Harrison Township. Upon this tract of land he established a home, which now remains in possession of his son. The parental household consisted of the following children: Martha became the wife of Amos Hinkel (whose biography appears in this work), and departed this life in 1849; Elizabeth married John Johnson; George married Miss Louisa Wilcoxen; John, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth; Nancy H. became the wife of N. Harlan, and Jane married R. Hicks, who died in the army; she was subsequently married to Mr. McNeill; Maria was born in Iowa, and married Jabez Ruby, of Van Buren County.
John McGreer was maried on the 25th of March, 1858, to Miss Julia H. Hill, of Wayne County, Ind., born Oct. 18, 1833. Mrs. McGreer was the daughter of William and Zilpah (Hollowell) Hill, natives respectively of Ohio and North
Carolina. William Hill was born Oct. 5, 1804, and departed this life on the 1st of February, 1871, in Lee County. He crossed the Mississippi while Iowa was yet a Territory, in the fall of 1843, and located in Harrison Township, where he carried on the business of a farmer and merchant. Mrs. Zilpah Hill was born March 20, 1807; she still survives, and has never remarried. Their family consisted of six children, two of whom are deceased: Susan P. became the wife of Benjamin Cook; Mrs. McGreer was the second child; Patience died at the age of three years; Edward was a soldier in the late war, and died at Chattanooga, Tenn., and Elizabeth became the wife of Jesse McMillan.Mr. and Mrs. John McGreer are the parents of two children--Anna J., born Jan. 14, 1859, and Mary L., Sept. 22, 1862. They were educated at the school at Primrose in this county. The family homestead consists of 340 acres of valuable land, and beside the ordinary duties of the farm Mr. McGreer is engaged in the breeding of horses, cattle and hogs. The farm dwelling is a fine two-story structure, and the barn, erected in 1884, is a model of convenience for the purposes to which it is adapted. It occupies an area of 48x76 feet, and is designed in the latest improved style. Mr. McGreer has a valuable assortment of farm machinery and all the implements necessary for the carrying on of agriculture after the most improved methods. The family are regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. McGreer is independent, aiming to cast his vote for the best men. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community, and is fully entitled to be classed as an honest man and a good citizen.
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