JOHN R. McCLURE,
a successful general grocery man, doing business on the
east side of the public square at Sullivan, Moultrie
County, has recently erected a fine, two-story brick
building, 70x25½ feet with
a basement, where he is carrying on an extensive
business. His first store was opened in January,
1857, since which time he has been a successful
merchant, with the exception of fourteen years, during
which time he engaged in farming in Sullivan Township.
He has lived in this county since October, 1853, making
his home either in Sullivan or vicinity, and ever
showing himself an energetic and public-spirited
citizen.
Mr. McClure is active in local politics, being
warmly attached to the Democratic party, and was at one
time an Alderman of the city. He is deeply
interested in schools and a promoter of the cause of
education. He was born in Franklin County, Ind.,
Aug. 8, 1835. His father, Lewis D. McClure
being also a native of that county and a son of
William McClure, a Kentuckian who came of
Scotch-Irish descent, but whose parents were born in
Virginia. they came to Kentucky in the time of
Daniel Boon and became pioneers near Lexington.
William McClure became a farmer and was married
in Butler County, Ohio, to Miss Phebe Eads, an
aunt of the late Capt. Eads who built the great
bridge at St. Louis, and also the builder of the
Mississippi River jetties. Some years after
marriage this couple, about the beginning of this
century, remove to Franklin County, Ind., and there
spent the remainder of their days, being past middle
life at the time of their decease. They were
consistent and earnest members of the old-school Baptist
Church. Lewis D. McClure, the father of our
subject, was born and reared in Franklin County, Ind.,
and learned the trade of a blacksmith which he followed
for a number of years, after which he undertook farming.
He was married in Franklin County to Miss Elizabeth
Rockefellar, a kinswoman of the great oil
speculator. Her parents, John and Mary (Thorp)
Rockefellar, were early settlers in Franklin County,
coming there in 1805 from Trenton, N. J., and there
remaining through life. They were Methodists in
their religious convictions.
After the birth of three children Lewis D. McClure
and wife left Indiana with a team and wagon and after a
long and tedious Journey landed in Clark County, Ill.,
where they settled upon the farm where they now reside,
Mr. McClure having reached the age of
seventy-eight years and his wife being now eighty-two.
They have both been active workers in the Methodist
Episcopal Church through-out life and they are enjoying
a quiet and peaceful old age.
John R. McClure is the eldest of six children,
all but one of whom are still living. When
eighteen years old he set out for himself, coming to
Sullivan County, where he began life as a poor boy with
but little means, and has now accumulated a comfortable
but modest fortune. His marriage to Miss
Sophronia Tichenor, a native of Sullivan County,
Ind., occurred in this county. She died in the
prime of life, leaving two children - Edgar who
is at home and assists his father; and William,
who took to wife Laura Matterson, and lives in
Sullivan City, although he also assists his father a
part of the time, but is a printer by trade.
Mr. McClure was the second time married in Sullivan.
Miss Julia Calkins, who was born in Licking
County, Ohio, becoming his wife. Her father,
Uranius Calkins, lived to the age of four-score
years, and her mother is still living in Licking County,
being now about three-score and ten. Mr. and
Mrs. Calkins were efficient and consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. McClure,
like her husband, is a member of the Methodist Church,
and is a true and good woman. She is bringing up
her five children in the Christian faith and giving them
the best advantages possible for an educational and
domestic training. Their names are Charlie,
Ida, Cora, Flora and Elmer. Mr. McClure
is a charter member of the lodge of Odd Fellows, and
also of the Masonic lodge at Sullivan.
Source: Portrait and
Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties,
Illinois - Published: Chicago: Biographical Publishing
Co. - 1891 - Page 209 |
