We called on J.B. MCCLEARY at his residence on Sunday and proceeded to
interview him:  MR. MCCLEARY emigrated from Ohio to Michigan in 1832;
from there to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1838, and from there he
emigrated to California in 1851 and embarked in the mining business.

  In 1853 he bought 160 acres of land in Decatur County, Iowa, one mile
north of High Point, paying $140 for the same. He secured his title or
patent from the government signed by Abraham Lincoln and he still has it
in his possession.  He did not move to Iowa to take possession of his
farm until thirteen years afterward, in l866, when he first saw the
land.  He then proceeded to make improvements.  A log house was built,
rails were made and part of the land fenced.  How different the place
looks now; a commodious dwelling, l l/2 stories high with basement, and
two large barns, one of which is 70x38 feet, and the other is 60xl6
feet.  He has also increased his farm to 230 acres, besides sixty acres
of timber that is situated on Weldon Creek, about a mile from his place.

He has turned his attention to the breeding of thoroughbred horses,
cattle and hogs.  He is a third owner of the full blooded Belgian
stallion, that is kept at High Point, is sole owner of a thoroughbred
Hereford bull and raises the noted Red Jersey hogs.  He has at present
sixteen head of horses, and sixty-five head of cattle.

He is a member of the firm of MCCLEARY & HITCHCOCK, nurserymen, who have
for sale all kinds of shade and ornamental trees.  MR. MCCLEARY was
Justice of the Peace of High Point Township for eight successive terms,
and we do not believe we have ever had a better one.  He is a member of
the Masonic Temple Lodge No. l70 of Garden Grove, and has been a Mason
for more than twenty years.

The writer, with a numberless host of other friends, are right in saying
that MR. and MRS. MCCLEARY and their daughter, JOSIE, and son, ALBERT,
know how to entertain visitors when there are any present at their home.
They are regular attendants at the M.E. Church and Sunday School, and
always have a kind word for all.  They are readers of the JOURNAL, and
enjoy reading it.  With the exception of two years, MR. MCCLEARY has
been a subscriber of the JOURNAL, ever since it was born.  May he
continue to read it.
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