Johnn C. McCLURG

MCCLURG, JOHNSON, CHAMBERS, ANDREW, BELL, YOCUM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/17/2008 at 04:47:15

Ringgold Record, 1891

DEATH of JOHN C. McCLURG.

The somewhat sudden death of Ex-Recorder J. C. McCLURG, on last Saturday morning, brought to our people no ordinary shock. He had not been sick long, and general hopes had been entertained of recovery. The event was unusually sad. Mr. McCLURG was a man of high character and was repected by all. His attachment to principle was marked, and in no case would he sacrifice it for position or gain. An overweening policy did not enter into his constitution. Wherever virtue and truth had representatives he was most likely to be found. The editor of The Record valued him as a relation and held him in high esteem because of his genuine manhood and christian character. We are thankful that he was a christian gentleman, and we are thankful to the Mt. Ayr M. E. church, which so diligently nurtured him in the divine life. May covenant blessings of the God of Israel be upon his wife and children.

OBITUARY.

John C. McCLURG was born in Carrol county, Indiana, November 22, 1840. His parents were A. J. and Isabel McCLURG. They removed to Monroe county, Iowa, where they remained until he was 14 years of age, when the family came to Ringgold county.

He was married to Mary J. JOHNSON, October 22, 1863. The seven children which God sent into their home, are all living, who, with their now widowed mother mourn their great loss.

He became well and favorably known throughout the county, and was the choice of the people for three successive terms for the office of County Recorder. He was a true friend of every right cause, and an uncompromising foe of that which was wrong. There was no question as to where he might be found upon the temperance or any other moral question.

He united with the Methodist church in 1870, and his christian deportment commended itself to all.

His last illness was brief - the disease being pneumonia - and he passed "from labor to reward" Saturday morning, April 4, 1891. Shortly before his death he carefully and calmly arranged his business as best he could and gave a fitting address to each member of his family present. He assured his friends that all was well; was happy and triumphant, giving in his closing hours, an illustration of how a christian may die. At his word many came and took him by the hand before he breathed his last, and the large concourse of people who attended his funeral at the M. E. church, Mt. Ayr, Monday, April 6, attested the high esteem in which he was held.

His pastor, Rev. Wm. B. THOMPSON, preached the funeral discourse, founded on Psa. 37:37. Revs. SIMPSON and JACKSON assisted in the services.

NOTE: Andrew Jackson McCLURG, John C.'s father, was born in Blout County, Tennessee, and died on March 8, 1870, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Isabella M. (CHAMBERS), John's mother, married Andrew on September 8, 1835, Carroll County, Indiana. Isabella was Andrew's first wife. After Isabella's death, Andrew married 2nd on December 27, 1859, Monroe County, Iowa, to Susan ANDREW.

John C.'s grandfather was John McCLURG, born June 27, 1776, Chanceford Township, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Mary "Polly" McCLURG, and died in 1848 in Carroll County, Indiana. John C.'s grandmother, Hannah (BELL) McCLURG was born in 1777, Augusta, Rockingham County, Virginia, the daughter of Lawrence and Rebecca (YOCUM) BELL. Hannah and John McCLURG were married in Rockingham County, Virginia on March 18, 1799.

Mary J. (JOHNSON) McCLURG, wife of John C., died July 3, 1896. John C. and Mary were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008