McVicker, John D.

Submitted by Norma Hass.

Biography from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois published in Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 1896.

John D. McVICKER, a valued citizen and representative farmer of Marshall county, is now living a retired life in the city of Henry, where he is enjoying that rest which should always follow a long and useful career. He was born in Hampshire county, West Virginia, March 4, 1826, but when only two years old was taken to Miami county, Ohio, by his parents, Archibald and Susan (CUSTER) McVICKER, the latter a cousin of General Custer. The father�s birth occurred on the same farm in Loudoun county, Virginia, where his father, Archibald McVICKER, Sr., was born and there made his home for half a century. Together they removed to Miami county, Ohio, and in 1844, came to Peoria county, Illinois, but subsequently the grandfather returned to the buckeye state, where he lived for a few years. His youngest son, Hugh, then went after him to bring him to this state, but he was taken ill on the way, and died and was buried in Evansville, Indiana. At the time of his death he was about eighty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth BURNS, passed away in Ohio, in 1844.
In 1851 the father of our subject came to Marshall county and began the operation of a farm which he had purchased in Saratoga township. Here his death occurred when in his sixty-ninth year. He was widely and favorably known in this section of the state, and was called upon to fill several official positions of honor and trust in his locality.
Our subject is the oldest in a family of ten children, the others being as follows: David, a farmer of Eagle Lake, Iowa; William, also a resident of the same place, who for fifteen months was in the union service during the civil war, enlisting in 1864, and serving in the army of the southwest until hostilities had ceased; Oliver, a farmer residing in Nebraska; Elizabeth, widow of Syric FOX, and a resident of Kansas; Mary Catherine, wife of Daniel KETCHUM, who lives near Henry, Illinois; Martha, wife of Grotus DEYO, of Henry; Margaret, wife of Nelson KENDRICK, of Atkinson, Henry county, Illinois; Archibald, who died at the age of fourteen, and Joseph Portmus Burns, who was named for his two grandmothers, and died at the age of thirty-two. He married Abigail ESSEX, by whom he had three children, Charles, Hattie and Susan.
Throughout his business career, J. D. McVICKER followed agricultural pursuits, and still owns the old farm in Saratoga township, where his father settled on coming to the county. His landed possessions aggregate five hundred acres of valuable land on section 14 and 15 Saratoga township, which are now rented. A thorough and skillful agriculturist, he was very successful in his operations, and gave his undivided attention to his farming interests and stock breeding.
In 1873, Mr. McVICKER crossed the ocean to France and imported this first Norman horses brought into Marshall county, which he successfully bred up to the time he retired from active life.
On the 19th of April, 1849, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McVICKER and Miss Virginia C. LYTLE, a native of Marietta, Ohio, and a daughter of George W. and Eve LYTLE, who were born in Pennsylvania. Of the two children born of his union, Worth D. is a farmer of Saratoga township, Marshall county. He married Louisa NEAL and has two children � John D. and Bessie Marie. Gertrude Maude, who resides with our subject, is the wife of Edward KANE, and has one child, McVicker.
Politically, Mr. McVICKER is an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the republican party. He is one of the active and progressive men of the county, taking a deep interest in all matters calculated to enhance its value, or to benefit his fellow men. His wife is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. A generous hospitality is shown at their comfortable home, which is the center of a cultured and refined society circle.