McClure - David F. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

David F. McClure, dry goods merchant, Crawfordsville, was b. in Bath Co, KY Dec 15, 1829. He lived on the farm until he was 26 years old, and only went to school 4 months in his life, yet by study and observation he has acquired a good practical business education. He came to Crawfordsville 1850, and began as clerk with F.H. TERY and continued thus for 2 years, when he took an interest in the store. He remained in partnership with him until Mr. Tery died in 1860 when his son, W.S. Tery took his father's interest in the store, the firm of McClure & Tery continuing until the death of the latter about 1875 when Mr. McC. became the sole proprietor of what is now known as "Trade Palace." During the 27 years that Mr. McClure has been in business he has not had a vacation of six weeks. His remarkable success is owing to his close application to business, energy and strict honesty. His paper has never been protested and he has never asked for an extension of time and has never failed. His stone building is 40 x 1q50' and he carries a stock worth about $35,000 his yearly sales amounting to from $80,000 to $100,000 and employs 16 clerks. He began in this city with $65. He served 10 months in the Mexican War under Gen. William O. BUTLER and was in Co. D 3rd Ky. Vols. He was marr. in Shelby CO KY Nov 20, 1856 to Miss ELizabeth CARTER. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. They have two children: Nannie F and Walter B. In politics, Mr. McC was first a whig and since then has been a republican and has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for 29 years. - typed by kbz

Source: Bowen, A. W. History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis, IN: 1913, p.1275

In placing the name of the late David F. McClure in the front rank of Crawfordsville's business men of a past generation, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, universally recognized throughout Montgomery County by those at all familiar with his history. David F. McClure was a native son of the old Blue Grass state, his birth having occurred in Bath County, Kentucky on the 15th of December, 1829. He was reared under the parental roof and he was employed during his youth much as the average farmer's boy. The first money he earned was at farm work, for which he received $8 a month. Sometime prior to 1850 Mr. McClure came to Montgomery County, Indiana, with which section he identified himself during the remainder of his life. He had the "business instinct" and was early impressed with Crawfordsville as a commercial center, so he decided to cast his lot here. It was not long until he was able to start into business and the "Trade Palace" as his early store was named, soon gained not only a large and rapidly-growing trade throughout the surrounding country, but its proprietor was at the same time acquiring a reputation as a man of honor and integrity in all his dealings. Mr. McClure formed a partnership with Frank H. FRY, and, after the latter's death, with his son, W. S. Fry, the latter partnership lasting but a short time. Mr. McClure then conducted the business, when he took in as a partner his son-in-law, George W. GRAHAM, the business being conducted by them for some years, when Mr. McClure withdrew and during the following two years he was engaged in the banking business at Ladoga, Indiana, in partnership with W. H. DURHAM. In 1892 the Crawfordsville store, known then as "The Busy Store," was run under the firm name of McClure 7 Graham and Mr. McClure remained actively interested in the business until 1897, when he disposed of his interests to Mr. Graham and confined his attention to his splendid farm, in which he took considerable pride. Mr. McClure took an active and intelligent interest in current affairs up to the time of his death and was always found in support of all worthy movements for the advancement of the community in any way. His death occurred on November 6, 1904, and his passing away was considered a distinct and irreparable loss to the community in which he had lived and labored to such goodly ends. Mr. McClure was married to Elizabeth CARTER in 1857; she was born in Shelby County, Kentucky. To this union were born two children, Walter Bright McClure, deceased and Nancy F, who became the wife of the late George W. Graham, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. McClure was a member of the Mexican War Veterans, having served during that struggle as a volunteer form Kentucky under General Butler, and giving to his country faithful and loyal service. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the support of which he gave liberally of his time and means. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association at Crawfordsville. he was indeed a man among men and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence of the community.  - typed by kbz