McElroy, Robert

MCELROY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:45:01

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.765

ROBERT McELROY
Robert McElroy, residing on one of the neatest and best improved farms in this locality, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Lincoln Township, dates his residence in Iowa since 1850 and in Warren County since 1869. He was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1830, the son of John and Mary N. (Watt) McElroy. His paternal grand­father, Mathew McElroy, was a native of Ireland, in which country he was reared and married. On coming to America he first settled in Washing­ton County, Pennsylvania, where John, the father of our subject, was born. He afterwards moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and there his family was reared. In early manhood John McElroy was married to Miss Mary N. Watt, a native of Ireland, and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania. There he lived for some years prior to his removal to Ohio, where he cleared land and opened up a farm, later disposing of this place and settling in Holmes County. In 1850 he removed to Iowa and settled in Marion County, after­ward removing to Warren County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died here in 1891 at the advanced age of ninety-five years and twelve days. His wife survived him and died at the age of ninety-two.
Robert McElroy grew to manhood in Holmes County, Ohio and came to Iowa with his parents in 1850. He aided his father in the preliminary work of getting his farm in shape for proper cultivation, also opened up a place of eighty acres for himself.
He was married in Marion County in August, 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Smith, daughter of Elias Smith, a native of Virginia, in which state Mrs. McElroy was born. Her father removed from Virginia to near Lafayette, Indiana, about 1836 when she was but a child, and there she passed her girlhood days. The young couple began domestic life on the Marion County farm, but this they later sold and removed to Lucas County where they bought a place of about two hundred and forty acres. On this place they resided about ten years and sold it in 1869 at which time they removed to Warren County and bought the place where they now reside. In purchasing the farm Mr. McElroy, with an eye to the future, took into consideration more the character of the soil and possibilities of its develop­ment than lie did the improvements which were on it at that time, as the house consisted of a log and frame structure and the facilities for the handling of stock and properly carrying on the work of the farm were of a very crude nature. His harvests, however, soon yielded him bounteous returns and he began the work of improvement which has resulted in the present handsome appearance of the place, and the installation of the necessary modern ma­chinery for the profitable conduct of his business. He has built a substan­tial two-story residence, good barn, and the necessary outbuildings, has established a fine orchard, and has the place all under fence. In connec­tion with general farming Mr. McElroy raises good common stock, feeding for the market about a carload of cattle annually, and also a large number of hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have been born five children, three of whom are living. A son, George W., died at the age of about two years, and an­other son, Charles W., grew to manhood and died here on the farm November 3, 1904. Of those who are living, the oldest, William R., is married and lives on a farm near Hartford. A sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mary Ann, the widow of L. F. Hoops, resides in Amarillo, Texas. Robert Watt, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this edition, is married and resides on a farm.
Mr. McElroy has been a lifelong Republican. He cast his first ballot for president for Fremont in 1856, since which year he has not missed a vote for the Republican presidential nominee. Outside of home affairs, Mr McElroy has not aspired to public office, though his personal interest in local improvement prompted him to accept the office of township trustee, in which capacity he served for two terms. He has ever been identified with the school work here and has served as director for twenty-four years, and has acted secretary of the school board for the past ten or twelve years. He has also served as delegate to the county conventions. He and his estimable wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Scotch Ridge, of which organ­ization he served as elder for a number of years.