~ McClellan, D. H. ~Photo

D. H. McClellan was born in Pennsylvania October 29, 1831. His parents were Evans and Margert (Guinn) McClellan, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their whole life. In 1867, our subject, taking Horace Greeley's advice, started west and located in Warren County, Illinois, where he followed farming, his chosen profession. In 1869 he again took up his westward journey and landed in Jasper County January 17. His first purchase of land was on Section 33, Washington Township, consisting of 160 acres, on which he resided for over 20 years. In August 1890, he purchased 120 acres in Des Moines Township, on which he moved in 1893. Mr. McClellan was first married April 4, 1867, to Emily J. Harris, who departed this life October 2, 1882. His second marriage was August 27, 1884, to Bethia Jane Dowden. Two children were born to them: George B. and Ethel M. His second wife died November 14, 1893. Page 19

~ McCulloch, Hon. William H. ~Photo

Hon. William H. McCulloch, proprietor of the Elm Grove Farm, Section 22, Hickory Grove Township, became a resident of Jasper County September 20, 1869. Mr. McCulloch was born in Massachusetts December 15, 1844. He is the son of William and Hannah (Rude) McCulloch, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. There were three children in his father's family, two sons and one daughter, William being the oldest. His father entered 120 acres of land in Hickory Grove Township in 1855, but did not settle here until 1869. His parents are now residents of Red Oak, Iowa. Ellen S. Allen, daughter of James and Samantha (Barney) Allen, became the wife of our subject in March 1867. Her parents were natives of the Empire State. By this happy union four children have been born: Minnie H., now Mrs. Ballard; James W. and Henry H., and Lillian L., now Mrs. Lane. Mr. McCulloch has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the state and county. He was elected to the legislature on the Republican Ticket, and served in the Twentieth General Assembly with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has also held various township offices. Was president of the school board for ten years, township assessor three years, and, in fact, has held every township office except clerk and constable. On his farm is located one of the finest groves in the County. There are over 3,000 elm trees of nine years' growth. Page 32

~ McColloms, Willis ~Photo

Willis McColloms, a prominent grocery man in the city of Newton, was born in Harden County, Ohio, December 12, 1859. His father died when he was a small boy, after which the family came west and located in Jasper County in 1861. Here he grew to manhood and received his education in the district schools of the County. He remained with the family on the farm until eighteen years of age. He then became a clerk in a grocery store in Newton, and remained two years. When twenty-one years of age he began business for himself, and with the exception of three years, has been constantly identified in the mercantile interests of the town since that date. He now has a floor space of 250 square feet on his sales floor, a large basement, and a storeroom overhead, all of which is well filled with the most salable goods. Socially, he is a member of Newton Lodge No. 59, A. F. & A. M.; Gebel Chapter No. 12, and Oriental Commandery No. 22, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias order. Mr. McColloms has been very successful, and is considered one of Newton's most substantial businessmen. Besides his large store, he possesses 30 acres of real estate inside the corporation, on which he resides, and which is a valuable piece of property. Page 36

~ McCord, Milton ~Photo

Milton McCord, postmaster at Newton, is the son of David and Ellenor (Temple) McCord, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. There were eleven children in his father's family, Milton being the eighth, and was born in Paris, Illinois, February 5, 1845. In 1855 the family left the Sucker State and came to Newton, Jasper County, Iowa, the trip being made overland. They located in Newton Township, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, Mr. McCord becoming one of the County's well-to-do citizens, owning at one time some 240 acres of land. Mrs. McCord died here in 1873 at sixty-three years of age. Mr. McCord died in 1884 in his seventy-eighth year. The family has been identified with the business interests of the County from its infancy, two of which are still residents. Milton McCord remained on the old homestead until August 1, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years and nineteen days. During his service he participated in the battles of Champion Hill, Cedar Creek, Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Fisher's Hill, Black River, and many other engagements, the total being fifteen hard fought battles. His brothers, William B., Thomas T., James H. and David N., were also in the service, and like our subject, were always found in the front. After his discharge, he returned home, and in a short time started as a freighter across the plains with ox teams, and made two trips to Denver. We next find him engaged in farming and stock dealing, at which he remained until 1890. In 1891 he was elected sheriff, and served two terms. March 1, 1897, he was appointed postmaster, and still holds that position. Gertie M. Reed, a native of Indiana, became his wife November 26, 1868. They have three children: Percy R., assistant postmaster; Hettie, clerk in the post office, and Stella M., attending Grinnell College. Besides tending to his other duties, Mr. McCord has been an auctioneer for the past twenty years, and during that time has cried nearly seventeen hundred sales in this and adjoining counties. Page 43

~ McCoy, George B. ~

George B. McCoy, manager of W. J. Breeden's agricultural implement establishment at Lynnville, was born in Hickory Grove Township, Jasper County, in 1872. In 1894 he engaged with the above firm at Kellogg, where he remained until 1898, and opened the present business at Lynnville under the firm name of W. J. Breeden & Co. Page 11

~ McCracken, Frank P. ~

Frank P. McCracken is a progressive and substantial citizen, residing on Section 19, Mound Prairie Township. He was born on the old McCracken homestead February 22, 1861, where his parents located in 1855. The McCracken family are well known throughout the section of the county. John and Rebecca (Coomes) McCracken were pioneers of Jasper County. They came here in moderate circumstance and endured all the hardships coincident to pioneer life. However, they succeeded well, and at the time of their death were among the well-to-do and prosperous citizens. Our subject is a single man, and possesses 117 acres of Jasper County soil, on which are located suitable buildings. Page 32

~ McCracken, Wesley ~

Wesley McCracken was born in Washington Township December 18, 1870. His comfortable farm residence now graces Section 24 of his native Township. His parents, John and Rebecca (Coomes) McCracken, were pioneers in Jasper County, for they located here In 1855, and became well and favorably known throughout this section of the County. Wesley McCracken and Elizabeth Rorabaugh became husband and wife February 28, 1894. She was a native of Jasper County. Three children have been born to them, Hazel, Dewey and Mary. Our subject is considered one of the well-to-do and progressive agriculturalists in this section of the County, and possesses 160 acres, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Page 32

~ McCracken, William S. ~

William S. McCracken, residing in Mound Prairie Township, was born in Washington Township May 16, 1865. He is the son of John and Rebecca (Coomes) McCracken, natives of Ohio, who came to Jasper County in 1855. Our subject was married November 24, 1897, to Daisy Myrtle V. Downing, a native of Mound Prairie Township. Their neat and comfortable farm residence graces Section 19. Page 39

~ McDonald, Andrew W. ~Photo

Andrew W. McDonald, a retired farmer, living on Section 6, Mound Prairie Township, has been a resident of Jasper County since 1856. He was born in Ohio December 2, 1930. He received his education in the district schools and a private academy in the Buckeye State. On coming to Jasper County his cash capital amounted to about $500.00. He soon located on Section 17, in what is now Washington Township, and engaged at farming. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Caroline Cradall. Three children were born to them, two of whom are living, W. P. and Andrew C. Our subject well remembers the first election held in Washington Township. It was in 1861. Sixteen votes were cast. During the war part of the settlers volunteered at different points, so that Washington Township did not receive due credit. When a draft came, out of seventeen settlers, five were wanted. Mr. McDonald has been prominently identified with the growth and development of Jasper County. Besides holding numerous township offices, he was a member of the County Board from 1861 to 1869, and during his service located most of the roads in Washington Township. His son, W. P., was born in Newton in 1859; was reared on the old homestead, and is a successful farmer and stock grower, and now manages about 590 acres, owned by himself and his father. Our subject has been twice married, his second marriage taking place in 1887 to Amanda S. Scott. They are the parents of one child, Wilson S. Page 27

~ McGregor, B. L. ~Photo

B. L. McGregor is the son of David and Saphrona J. (Ikerd) McGregor, early settlers in Jasper County. Our subject was born in Illinois November 23, 1858, and became a resident of Jasper County in 1868. His comfortable farm residence now graces Section 11, Palo Alto Township. Nettie Efnor, daughter of Orin and Frances (Mudgett) Efnor, and our subject were united in marriage November 6, 1883. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter: Lelia, Leslie, and Lynn. The family are members of the Evangelical Church. Page 24

~ McGrew, Nathan R. ~Photo

Nathan R. McGrew, a farmer, residing on Section 4, Hickory Grove Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 22, 1840, and located in Jasper County February 17, 1868. His parents were Thos. and Rachel (Robbins) McGrew, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. There were six children in his father's family, Nathan being the oldest. When two years of age he had a severe time with the scarlet fever, which deprived him of his hearing. He was afterward educated in the Ohio Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, at Columbus, Ohio, from 1852 to 1859. In September of that year he left the Buckeye State and located in Rock Island County, Illinois, where he resided for about nine years, coming to Jasper County in 1868. He owns a well-improved farm of 161 acres, on which is located suitable buildings. His father died January 11, 1852, and his mother August 26,1897. Page 32

~ McKenzie, James ~Photo

James McKenzie, proprietor of "The Grange" Stock Farm, near the town of Baxter, is a native of Scotland, born in 1845, where he resided until 1890, coming direct from there to Jasper County. Catherine Davidson became his wife in 1885. She was a native of Scotland, born in 1858. They are the parents of six children: Duncan, James, Elizabeth, Annie, William, and Thomas. Besides doing a general farming business, Mr. McKenzie turns his attention to the breeding of Clydesdale horses and Shropshire sheep, and constantly keep3 young stock on hand for sale. Page 20

~ McMurray, Frederick A. ~Photo

Frederick A. McMurray, an auctioneer residing in Newton, has been a resident of Jasper County since 1869. He is the son of Henderson and Mary Ann (Horn) McMurray, natives of Pennsylvania. There were twelve children in his father's family, six sons and six daughters, Frederick A. being the third child, and was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. August 28, 1850. His father was a farmer during his lifetime and came west with his wife and a family of four children in 1852, and located in Cedar County, Iowa, where they resided until coming to Jasper County. On their arrival here the family located two and one-half miles northwest of Newton, where his father still resides in a comfortable home. Our subject began his education in the district schools of Cedar County, and finished in Jasper County. When eighteen years of age he started out for himself, and for a time was engaged at breaking the raw prairies. Later in company with R. K. Lambert, they ran a threshing outfit for several falls. He purchased his first piece of real estate in 1874, an 80-acre tract, two-and-three-quarter miles northeast of Newton, which he still owns, and on which he carried on general farming until 1882. All the improvements on the place were made by himself, including the carpenter work. Three years before he left the farm be started out as an auctioneer. The demand for his services growing greater, he removed to Newton, and has averaged since that date something over 100 sales each year. September 18, 1873, be was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Melissa Benjamin, a native of Ohio. She is the daughter of S. R. and Sarah Ann Benjamin. Her father is deceased, and her mother is now making her home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. McMurray are the parents of five children: William E., a successful merchant in Newton; Harry J., a clerk in his brother's store; Ada Belle, at home, Roy and Ray. Socially, Mr. McMurray is a member of Central Lodge No. 73. I. O. O. F. Besides attending to his duties as an auctioneer, Mr. McMurray devoted at one time considerable of his time to the buying and shipping of horses and was traveling salesman and expert for the Parsons Band Cotter &. Self Feeder Co. for four seasons. Page 47