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JOHN V. McCURLEY, a farmer of Columbus City Township, was born June, 1839, in Lawrence (then North Beaver) County, Pa., and is a son of James and Jane (McCreary) McCurley. His paternal grandparents were John and Nancy (Cornelius) McCurley, the former born in Ireland, Nov. 14, 1777; the latter born in Scotland, in April, 1790. The maternal grandfather was William McCreary, who was born May 22, 1782, and wedded Elizabeth Chamberlain, who was born May 22, 1785. James McCurley, the father of our subject, was born in 1812, in Pennsylvania, and wedded Jane McCreary, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, born June 1, 1820.
Mr. and Mrs. McCurley were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters: John V., our subject; Nancy, born Sept. 24, 1841, and died when quite young; Martha E., born April 30, 1844, and died in infancy; William H., who was born Aug. 14, 1846, served in the navy during the late war, and is now a large farmer in Butler County, Ohio; Stephen C., born March 11, 1849, and now a resident of Branch County, Mich., and James, the youngest, born Aug. 3, 1851, is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Trumbull County, Ohio.
The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1845, when John V. was six years of age, emigrated to Ohio with his family, where he remained eight years, and then removed to Shelby County, Ind., making that his home until his death, which occurred July 29, 1854. He was a man of prominence and influence in the community where he resided, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. McCurley’s death occurred Sept. 18, 1853.
Our subject was reared upon a farm, and at the age of fifteen began learning the trade of a carriage-smith, at Attica, Ohio, where he worked for seven years. At that time the news was received that Ft. Sumter had been fired upon, and he enlisted in Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery. He participated in the seven-days battle before Richmond, and at the second battle of Bull Run was wounded by a shell which caused him to lose his right leg. After that misfortune he was discharged, Oct. 23, 1862, and then went to Poland, Ohio, attending college in that city. While residing there he was elected Recorder of Mahoning County, in 1866, and served in that position for six years. In 1872 he migrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling in Columbus City Township, where he purchased 172 acres of land on section 27, which has been his home continuously since.
On the 5th of February, 1867, Mr. McCurley led to the marriage altar Miss Helena Simon, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Susanna (Gamber) Simon. Her father was also born in the Buckeye State, of German parentage, while the mother was a native of Virginia. Two children grace their union—Refis Howard and Mabel. Mr. McCurley is a member of the Congregational Church, and his wife of the Lutheran Church. He is one of Louisa County’ s best citizens, taking an active interest in her public affairs, and aiding in all enterprises for the public good. Since becoming a resident of this county he has added to his original purchase, until he now has 287 ½ acres of well-cultivated land, besides some town property in Columbus Junction.
