McKay, James D. 1814 – 1901

MCKAY, STONE, TODD, GILMORE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/19/2020 at 16:09:00

Source: Decorah Republican May 9, 1901 P 2 C 4

OBITUARY.
JAMES D. MCKAY was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1814 and died at his home in Frankville township on Friday, May 3, 1901. Had he lived until next October his residence in this county would have covered fifty of the eighty-seven years of his life's pilgrimage. The foundation of a good education was laid in the instructions of his father, and supplemented after passing 16 by studies in the Genessee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima in his native county. After teaching school for a time he studied law with James Butler, a cousin of Benj. F Butler, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the Empire state.
In September, 1836, deceased married Miss Julia Stone and five years later they came west and settled on the southwest quarter of section 16 in Frankville township. Alexander’s History of the county makes him soon serving the public as prosecuting attorney but there is no evidence of this in the records of the county. However, in 1854, he was nominated and elected representative in the legislature for the counties of Allamakee and Winnesheik, that being district No. 1. This General Assembly convened at Iowa City on Dec. 4, 1854, and was re-convened in extra session on July 2, 1856, adjourning on the 16th inst. This was a turning point in the political history of the state. Previous to this time Democracy had been in control James W. Grimes, of honored memory, was elected governor of the state that same year and the General Assembly was a Republican body. It elected James Harlan United States Senator as the first of the long line of Republican Senators that have honored Iowa. The issue upon which Mr. McKay was elected grew out of the county seat contest between Decorah and Freeport, Mr. McKay representing the latter town. While he was a member, the law as to relocating county seats was framed which practically remains in force at the present time with but slight changes. Mr. McKay was a man of education, strong opinions, forcible in his public expression of them, and as a citizen active and progressive in his disposition.
Deceased was twice married. To the wife of his youth were born five children, Geo. W., of Waukon, Mrs. Gilmore and Mary, both living In Milwaukee, James, who died in the army during the War of the Rebellion, and William, whose residence is unknown. His second wife was the widow of Dr. Todd, the pioneer physician at Frankville, who survives him. To them were born four children, viz: Donald, living at Waukesha, Alexander, Cora, and a younger daughter, not now living.

Source: Decorah Republican May 9, 1901 P 6 C 5

Jas. McKay, Senior, died at his home three miles west of Frankville, May 4, 1901, at the age of 87 years. The funeral took place at his home the following Monday, Rev. Gregg officiating and the interment being made at the Pagin cemetery. [See obituary elsewhere.—EDS. REP.]

Pagin Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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