McElroy, William R.

MCELROY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:45:53

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.707

WILLIAM REYNOLDS McELROY
W. R. McElroy is one of the prosperous farmers of Richland Township, his home being on section 29, where he owns a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and ninety acres. He has spent his entire life in this state, being born in Marion County, Iowa, June 7, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Smith) McElroy, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. From Marion County the family removed to Lucas County, where they spent eleven years, and then came to Warren County, where the parents are still living. In their family are three children.
W. R. McElroy was principally educated in the Summerset schools and his knowledge of farm work was gained under the able guidance of his father upon the home place. He was married in this county on the 21st of January 1880, to Miss Jennie Black, who was born in Ohio and was twelve years of age when she came to Iowa with her parents. Her father, James Black, followed railroading in the Buckeye state but here devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, operating a farm in Lincoln Township. He is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have four children, namely: Roxie, now the wife of Daniel Matone, a farmer of Allen Township; May, the wife of Rev. Richard Petnagel, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, located at Decatur, Indiana; Belle, the wife of William Richards, a farmer of Marion County, Iowa; and Martha, at home.
After his marriage Mr. McElroy located on a part of his present farm and as he has prospered in his work, he has added to his property from time to time until he now has a fine farm of two hundred and ninety acres, which he has improved by the erection of a good house and outbuildings, has set out an orchard and other fruit, and keeps the land under excellent cultivation. He devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, fattening a carload each of cattle and hogs for market yearly.
Since attaining his majority Mr. McElroy has always supported the Republican Party but has never taken an active part in politics aside from voting. He has served as school director and president of the board for several years and both he and his wife take an active interest in church work as members of the Presbyterian Church of Hartford.