John F. McGuire, Clinton

JOHN F. McGUIRE, lawyer, and brevet-major in the Union army, was born in a small town among the Adirondacks, New York, on the 22d of February, 1838. He is of Irish ancestry, as his name denotes, his forefathers having early emigrated to this country. His father was a country merchant, and having failed in business in 1850, the son was sent to Canada to be educated. He, however, becoming homesick, the mother's tender sympathies for her absent child induced his father to recall him. At the age of thirteen, being of an active and independent temperament, he apprenticed himself, without his father's knowledge, to learn the nail-making trade. In this occupation he continued nearly three years, working in Troy, New York, and other localities. While in Troy, he was pursuaded by a Scotchman, a deserter from the British army, to accompany him to South America. Arriving at New York city, on their way thither, they were disappointed in securing immediate passage, and, being destitue of means, his companion enlisted in the United States army. Soon after, his own funds becoming exhausted, he endeavored to find employment, but without success. As a last resort, he pawned his dress coat for a small consideration, and with the proceeds he, like the Prodigal Son, sought the paternal mansion. Previously, while in Brooklyn, with an eye to the navy, he visited the receiving ship North Carolina, then lying in the navyyard, and decided not to become a sailor, wisely concluding that a sailor's life was not as poetical and romantic as the imagination of Ned Buntline has pictured it. Having resumed again home-life, he devoted his time principally to reading law and teaching, alternately. His limited means at this period precluded his entering college, and he finally determined, at least for the present, to relinquish the design for a more extended course of study. He continued the study of the law, however, and labored to qualify himself for the duties of this profession.

At the breaking out of the rebellion he retired to Montreal, Canada, partly with the view to learn French, but more especially to gratify his mother, who feared he might be persuaded to unite in the pending struggle. At this time the Canadian sentiment was very bitter against the north. While pursuing his studies quietly as an American youth, his patriotism was often insulted and his country vilely traduced. On the following 4th of July, however, unitedly with two or three other American students, he publicly vindicated his country by displaying the American flag and firing a national salute. The love of country had often led him to walk the entire length of the wharfs at Montreal to obtain one look at his country's flag; and when he saw the stars and stripes floating only over the American consul's house his eyes filled with tears and his young heart with emotion.

After the disastrous battle of Bull Run, the Canadian feelings became so abusive and vindictive, he left the school and returned home. He felt that his country demanded his services, and his patriotism would not permit him longer to withhold it. In his native town not one man had responded to the call of the government. In two weeks a draft would be made to fill the quota. In this emergency he was appointed, young as he was, first lieutenant, with power to secure enlistments. At his own expense he opened an office, hung out the stars and stripes, and by canvassing the adjacent section, in due time obtained forty-five good and able-bodied men for his country's service, and took charge, under the title of lieutenant commanding. He had so exhausted his limited means in securing his company, that on arriving in New York city he had no funds to purchase himself a uniform. In this extremity his company made him a present of a sword, sash, belt and a revolver, and Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Armstrong presented him with a suit of military clothes.

His military career was throughout varied and honorable. The first duty of his company was to be sent on detached mission with the provost-marshal south of the Potomac. He subsequently did difficult and responsible duty in the vicinity of Washington. Having been called to the department of the Gulf, he served with Banks in his Red river expedition, participating in all the skirmishes and fights in his subsequent harassing retreat, and commanded the rear guard after the battle of the Sabine Cross-Roads. Leaving New Orleans in July, 1863, he subsequently participated in the various battles and skirmishes in defending the capital from the invading rebel army under Early, and assisted in driving him back across the Potomac. He likewise participated in all the marches, skirmishes and battles of General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, and after the assassination of President Lincoln was on picket duty in and around Washington until the capture of Booth, and guarded the United States arsenal during the trial of Mrs. Surrat and the other conspirators. Having discharged faithfully and with honor these high and responsible duties, he was subsequently ordered to Savannah, Georgia, where he was detailed as assistant provost-marshal of the city, until October, 1865, at which period he was ordered to New York to be mustered out of service. He was promoted by the governor of New York to brevet-major, for gallant and meritorious services. He had previously been made captain in command of the company he recruited and led into service. His distinguished services have won for him the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens and the gratitude of his country.

Having returned to civil pursuits, he resumed his law studies, and in 1867 was admitted to the bar. In 1868 he located in Clinton, Iowa, where he has devoted himself energetically and most successfully to his profession.

He has manifested commendable public spirit in the growth and prosperity of the town, and has taken an active part in every public improvement, and contributed liberally to every enterprise. His well-known and acknowledged activity and zeal have tended greatly to advance the public improvements in and around the vicinity of Clinton.

He is emphatically a self-made man, and a most laborious student and worker. Possessing a sound constitution and robust figure, he promises many years of useful labor to the state, in whose growth he has always been so profoundly interested.

Source:

The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Iowa Volume.

Chicago and New York: American Biographical Publishing Company, 1878