Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 536
THOMAS McINTIRE, one of the self-made men of Muscatine County, residing on section 30, Goshen Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio in 1834,and is the eighth child in a family of ten children born to William and Eleanor ( Aiken ) McIntire, who were pioneer settlers of Steubenville, Ohio, having emigrated to that State when it was a Territory. The father there improved a fine farm, which is still in possession of the family. He took quite an active part in political affairs in his day, voting with the Democratic party. His death occurred in the Buckeye State many years ago, and Mrs. McIntire died in 1874, at the ripe old age of ninety-one years.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon his father's farm in Ohio, and his education, like so many others of that day, was received in a little school-house built of logs, with puncheon floors, slab seats and an immense fireplace. His school days being over, he commenced farming in Ohio, but in 1855 left the parental roof, and following the tide of human emigration to the West, located in Goshen Township, Muscatine County, residing for a time with William Holmes Jr. He subsequently rented land near Atalissa, and in 1860 purchased a raw uncultivated tract of 160 acres in Pike Township, which he improved and later sold. The first land which he owned in this State was located in Ringgold County, and entered from the Government. In 1868 he purchased 400 acres of raw prairie in Goshen Township, and immediately began its improvement and development. Fields were plowed, crops planted, trees set out, and three houses built, in connection with other useful improvements. The land was at length all put under cultivation, and by subsequent purchase the original tract has been increased until now 640 acres of arable land pay tribute to the care and cultivation of the owner. The barns and out-buildings are all models of convenience, the stock which he raises is of the best grades, and everything about the place stands as a testimonial of the fact that Mr. McIntire is a man of thrift and enterprise, and possessed of good business ability. He has always taken an interest and aided in any enterprise which would benefit the public, and assisted in building the county ditch to the extent of $1,800. He also takes an active part in political affairs, voting with the Republican party, of which he is an ardent supporter and a zealous worker. The cause of education finds in him a true friend, he earnestly advocating the need of a good system of public schools, and doing all in his power to bring about such a result. He also assisted in organizing the school districts in his township.

In 1856 our subject led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Parry who was born in Delaware, and is a daughter of David and Lydia (Hollingsworth ) Parry, who were also natives of Delaware. In 1855, accompanied by his family Mr. Parry emigrated to Muscatine County, Iowa, purchasing a farm in Goshen Township, upon which he yet resides. His wife having died in 1883, at the age of seventy years, his daughter is now keeping house for him. Eight Children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. McIntire : John T., Caleb L.; Abraham L., who is married and resides on the home farm; Anna; Ella, now Mrs. Orin Markham, of Goshen Township; Elmer, Thomas and Hannah. Their home is pleasantly situated about three miles from West Liberty, and they hold a high position in the social world of Goshen Township. Our subject is one of the self-made men of this community. He left home at an early age and began life in limited circumstances upon a rented farm, but by his untiring energy, his perseverence and good management has gained a comfortable competence, being now the owner of a section of land besides other property. His honorable, upright life has won him many friends, and he receives the universal respect of all whom business or social relations bring him in contact.

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