Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 303
A. L. McGREW, a representative farmer and early settler, residing on section 24, Bloomington Township, was born in Alleghany County, Pa., in 1817. His parents Samuel B. and Nancy ( Logan ) McGrew, were also born in that State. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but owned and conducted a farm in Westmoreland County, and remained a resident of Pennsylvania until his death, which occurred in 1854, his wife preceding him to the other world many years previously, dying in 1835. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters; James, who died at the age of fifteen years; A. L., of this sketch; Oliver C., who is married, and is now engaged in the hardware business at Irving Station, Pa,; Samuel, who died at the age of five years; Theodosia, who departed this life at the age of twenty-four; Rebecca, residing at Davenport, is the widow of John Madden; Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Cope, died in Pennsylvania in 1882; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. Frichman, resides in Bloomington Township.

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools of his native State. In 1839 he bade good-by to his friends and started out in life for himself, going first to Rock Island County, Ill., where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Margaret Robbins, a native of Washington County, Pa., and they were married on the 19th of December of that year, in Illinois City. The lady is a daughter of David and Margaret ( Powers ) Robbins, who were born in Alleghany County, Pa. Her father engaged in the occupation of farming, and also owned and conducted a mill in his native State. In 1839 he removed to the West, settling first in McDonough County, Ill., where he resided one summer, becoming a resident of Rock Island County the following fall. He entered land in both Mercer and Rock Island Counties, which he improved and cultivated, but resided in Illinois City. In 1849 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died at the age of forty-eight. Several years later he left Illinois and became a resident of St. Louis, Mo., where his death occurred.

After his marriage Mr. McGrew purchased a farm in Illinois, adding to it by subsequent purchase until he owned 300 acres of fine arable land under a high state of cultivation. In 1867 he came to Muscatine County, Iowa, where he bought 197 acres of well-improved land, and also became the owner of a farm in Jasper County, which is still in his possession.He engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his land in Muscatine County until 1887, when he sold out and went to the Pacific Coast, making his home in California. After six months' residence in that State he returned to Iowa, in 1888, and removed to his present home in the following September. The principal part of his farm is rented for pasturing horses from the city. He has dealt quite extensively in stock, buying, feeding and shipping, in which line of business he has been quite successful. In political affairs Mr. McGrew takes quite an active interest, and is a supporter of the Republican party. He has held several local offices of trust, served as Township Supervisor in Mercer County, Ill., and was School Director in that State many years, doing all in his power to promote and advance the cause of education.

To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have been born six children, five of whom are living: Simon O., who is married and resides at Pasadena, Cal; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. Fawcett, of Cedar County, Iowa; Nancy, now Mrs. Thompson, a resident of Pasadena, Cal.; A. L., who married Caroline Scott, resides in Jasper County, Iowa; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Robert Ellison, died, July 4, 1863, leaving a husband and one child, Eldon Ellison, to mourn their loss; Belle resides at home. Eldon Ellison is also living with his grandfather. Mr. McGrew was reared among the Society of Friends, while Mrs. McGrew's people were presbyterians. Although not living in Muscatine County the whole period, he has witnessed its growth since 1839, at which time the Indians were yet almost as numerous as white settlers, the county being one vast prairie, and the now prosperous and thriving city of Muscatine was the little hamlet of Bloomington.

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