McClure - John
Source: H. W. Beckwith Chicago: HH Hill 1880 p. 517
John McClure was a native of Adams County, Ohio born in 1814. In 1838 he
came with his parents, Nathaniel & Mary (Beever) McClure and
brother Matthias, to Montgomery County, Indiana and settled in Pleasant Hill.
In 1840 John McClure was married to Sarah A. Gregory, daughter of
James Gregory, an early settler of Coal Creek Township. Mr. & Mrs.
McClure lived 3 years on her father's farm and in 1845 settled on
the farm of 80 acres being the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 Sec 1, R 6W, T 20,
which was bought by James Gregory of David Shoemaker, and is
almost the first land entered in that township. Mr. McClure added
to the 80 till he owned 200 acres.
He died May 26, 1876 sadly
missed by both family & neighbors. He was a leading member of
the Methodist Church, having been class leader many years, frequently
conducting class and social meetings in different parts of the
township. In educational affairs he took an active part. In politics he
was a strong republican. In his affairs with men he was
conscientious and exact. He was always jovial and entertaining,
and widely known, even by many who were strangers to him.
His
wife, Sarah A. (Gregory) McClure, is now living with their
children. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
Gregorys have long been in America. It is said that Joseph
Gregory came from England with Wm. Penn. A son of Joseph moved to
Va; where he was killed by the Indians, but left a son, Samuel.
Samuel married and moved to Ky. He then moved to Ohio with his wife
and two children, and settled 7 miles north of Hamilton, on a creek
which took his name, Gregory's Creek, from his being the first
settler. There he lived and raised 9 children and buried his wife.
Two sons and one daughter died in Ohio; one son and one daughter in Iowa;
3 daughters in Fountain County, Indiana and James and Mrs. Charlotte Clarkson
came to Montgmery County., Ind where they also died.
Samuel Gregory came
in his old age, in 1834 and died at his son James' residence in
1843, aged 84 years. He served in the Revolution and was at
Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. James Gregory was in the
War of 1812, under Harrison. He came to Montgomery County in 1830 and
settled in Coal Creek Twp, where he entered and bought land to the
amount of 540 acres which he deeded to his children. He died in April,
1869, aged 81 years. His father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and he a member of the Christian. He was a whig;
republican and an abolitionist. He was county commissioner for many
years. He left 3 children: Mrs. Martha Thomas ; Samuel who died three months
after him and Mrs. Sarah A. McClure.
James A. McClure, son of
John and Sarah A. (Gregory) McClure, was born Sept. 12, 1846 on the farm which he now owns. He was educated in the common school and
Pleasant Hill graded school. When 20 years old he secured a
license to teach, which he successfully followed 6 years. On Sept
12, 1874, he was married to Mary. (Thomas) Hurt, daughter of James
& Joanna Thomas, early settlers of Montgomery County. They have had 3
children: two infants (dec) and Clarence D. Mr. & Mrs.
McClure are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is
class leader. He is a thorough republican. - typed by kbz