Henry McCahan

Henry McCahan, who is now serving his second consecutive term as Clerk of the District Court of Monroe county, is widely and favorably known in Albia, where he makes his home. His capability in office is demonstrated by his re-election, and he is recognized as a man of genuine worth, true to the duties of both public and private life.

Mr. McCahan was born in Plumville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of April, 1844, being a son of James and Rebecca (Gibson) McCahan. The grandfather was James McCahan, who died in his eighty-fifth year. The father of our subject was born in county Derry, Ireland, and his wife, a daughter of James Gibson, was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania.

On leaving his native land, Mr. McCahan crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where he followed the trade of weaving. On removing to Pennsylvania, he engaged in business as a tanner and currier, and later turned his attention to farming. In the fall of 1852 he brought his family to Van Buren county, Iowa, making the journey by water to Keokuk, and thence by team to his destination. He located near Birmingham, but two years afterward removed to Washington county, Iowa, and in the fall of 1856 removed to Monroe county, locating on a farm near where Maxson Station now stands. He became the owner of 160 acres, which with the characteristic energy he began to improve, placing the tract under a high state of cultivation and adding good buildings and all the accessories of a model farm. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death.

Henry McCahan is the seventh in order of birth in a family of eleven children, who reached mature years, while five are still living. The days of his childhood and youth were spent in his parents' home, and since the age of eight years he has been a resident of Iowa. He is indebted to the district-school system and to the Albia high school for a good English education. On the completion of his course he taught school for several terms, but abandoned that profession to take up the study of law under the direction of Judge William P. Hammond. He was thorough in his preparation, earnest in his efforts to become proficient in his chosen calling, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He at once began practice, which he continued until 1892, when he was elected Clerk of the District Court and has since filled that office, having been re-elected. He will have occupied the office four years on the expiration of his present term.

On the 6th of June, 1886, Mr. McCahan was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Thompson, of Chariton, Iowa, a daughter of Erastus Thompson. They have many warm friends in the community. Socially Mr. McCahan is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.