William H. McCleary

MCCLEARY, STEVENSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 13:49:58

Among the extensive stock-raisers of Penn Township is numbered W. H. McCleary, who resides on section 12 and also gives some attention to general farming. He is a native of this county, born February, 1865, a son of Charles and Mary (Yost) McCleary, natives of Ohio. In 1859 the father came down the Ohio and up the Mississippi by steamboat to Keokuk and thence drove across the country to Madison County. He bought land in Jefferson township, which he cultivated the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife pass away in October of 1907.

W. H. McCleary was reared and educated in Jefferson township and remained upon the homestead farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then went to Colorado, where he spent four years, and after his return was associated with his father in agricultural pursuits about twelve years. On the 12th of February, 1906, he rented the A. Diggs farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 12, Penn township, and for the last nine years has operated that place. Although he pays some attention to general farming, he specializes in the stock business, feeding from five to ten carloads of cattle annually. He also raises thoroughbred Poland China hogs, from the sale of which he derives a good profit.

Mr. McCleary married Miss Maude Stevenson in March, 1913. She is a daughter of Grandison and Margaret (Hamden) Stevenson, natives of Ohio. The father, who was a farmer, removed to Iowa at an early day, and during the Civil war served as a soldier in the Union army for three years and four months. In his later years he followed the trade of a mason and also engaged in contracting. He passed away in 1909, but his widow survives him and resides in Des Moines.

Mr. McCleary supports the democratic party and believes firmly in those basic principles for which Jefferson and Jackson stood and which have found many eminent exponents in the later history of our country. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Church. A native son of this county, he has always felt that his interests were identical with those of the county and has always been glad to cooperate with all movements seeking the best interests of his community.

Taken from the book, "History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915."