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         DANIEL McKAY, residing on section 26, Marshall Township, is one of the prominent and well-to-do farmers of Louisa County. He was born in Columbus City Township, Dec. 20, 1843, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Hicklin) McKay, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. The mother is yet living, and resides in Wapello, Iowa. In the spring of 1842 the family emigrated to this State, locating in Columbus City Township, where James McKay was one of the leading men. In 1846 he was elected Circuit Clerk of Louisa County by the Whig party, which office he filled for some years with honor and credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was a man highly respected for his many excellent qualities. In 1850 he started to California on a visit, but was taken sick and died at Chimney Rock, that State. Mr. and Mrs. McKay were the parents of ten children, though only three are now living: Norval W., now County Treasurer of Louisa; Servilla, wife of Judge J. M. Davis, of Chillicothe, Mo.; and Daniel.

The education of our subject was received in the common schools of the county, and he was reared to farm life, remaining under the parental roof until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the 19th Iowa Infantry for three years’ service, and was assigned to Company F. He participated in all the engagements of the regiment, took part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and was wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., where so many of the brave boys of the 19th Iowa Infantry laid down their lives on the altar of their country. At the battle of Sterling Farm, with the remainder of the regiment, Mr. McKay was taken prisoner and sent to Tyler, Tex., where he was confined for six months, and then removed to Shreveport, La., where he made his escape from the prison. His absence was soon found out, and when within twenty-two miles of the Union lines, after having traveled through swamps and bayous, and been pursued by bloodhounds, he was recaptured and taken to Columbia, La. He was cast into jail with three of his comrades, Eli Sheets, Benjamin F. Goodwin and Jacob Konski. During the second night of their confinement the four comrades again escaped, and this time were successful, reaching the lines at Natchez, Miss., where they were royally welcomed, and given a grand reception. Through the remainder of the war Mr. McKay served with his regiment, and in 1865 received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa.

Returning home in September of that year, Mr. McKay made a trip to Colorado, there spending a year, and again came back to Louisa County in 1868. Renting a farm, he engaged in its cultivation for four years, at the expiration of which time, in 1872, he removed to Nodaway County, Mo., there buying a farm of forty acres. He subsequently sold that land and purchased 200 acres, which he improved and cultivated until it was one of the best farms in the county. His efforts in this line of business were very successful, and he remained in Nodaway County until 1882, when he sold out and again came back to Louisa County. Purchasing a farm . . .

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. . . of 160 acres on section 26, Marshall Township, he has since improved it, and has also made it one of the best farms in Louisa County.

On the 4th of August, 1867, the marriage of Daniel McKay and Miss Amanda Jones was celebrated. The lady is a native of this county, and a daughter of Gustavus and Charlotte (Rouse) Jones, her father being one of the leading merchants of Wapello. In his political sentiments Mr. McKay supports the Democratic party, while socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge of Wapello. He has always taken an active part in public affairs of the county, is ever ready to advance the interest of the community, and is held in high esteem by the people of Marshall Township.