IowaJones/Biographies/G. D. McPherson

G. D. McPherson–R. McQuillen

George D. McPherson
Thomas J. McPherson

George D. and T. J. McPherson deserve special mention among the agriculturists of Jones county, where they own and cultivate two hundred and sixty-two and a half acres of choice and valuable land in Greenfield township, constituting one of its fine farms. They are sons of John and Martha (Davis) McPherson. The father was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1829, and the mother's birth occurred in the same country on the 12th of November, 1835. They crossed the Atlantic on the same ship in 1853 and became residents of Philadelphia. Soon after their arrival in the new world they were married and continued their residence in Philadelphia, for about eight years, or until 1861, when they believed that they would have still better opportunities in the middle west and removed to Jones county, Iowa, where they continued to spend their remaining days. Mr. McPherson secured a tract of land and began farming, being busily occupied in the work of the fields until his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1880. Following the demise of her husband Mrs. McPherson continued to reside upon the old homestead with her six children and reared them there. The farm is located on section 21, Greenfield township, and Mrs. McPherson not only cared for her children but also managed the business consequent upon the development of the farm. Of her children one son died in infancy, while two daughters have married and gone to homes of their own - Mrs. Ruth Berman, who is residing in Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Anna Nosey, whose home are in Linn counties, Iowa. The other children yet remain on the farm which has been their place of residence through almost their entire lives. Here the mother died January 12, 1908. She was certainly a most devoted mother, counting no personal sacrifice on her part too great if it would enhance the happiness and promote the welfare of her children, who revere her memory and during her lifetime entertained for her the warmest love.

The sons, George D. and T. J. McPherson, with their brothers, J. P. and Samuel, all reside on the old homestead and are busily occupied with the work of the fields, being known as representative farmers of this part of the state. All are pronounced republicans, but are not offensive partisans. They hold firmly to the principles in which they believe but are not abusive to those whose opinion differ from theirs. They have been reared in the atmosphere of Presbyterianism, are considerate of the rights of others and in all business transactions are thoroughly reliable.

George D. and Thomas J. McPherson were educated in the pioneer schools of the early days and were reared amid the environments of frontier life, habits of industry, diligence and perseverance being formed by them as the result of the wise lessons impressed upon them by their mother. The result of their labors is seen in the broad acres of the McPherson farm, comprising two hundred and sixty-two and a half acres of rich and productive land in Greenfield township. They have added many modern improvements, as evidenced in the house and barns, the sheds and machinery, the well kept fences, the carefully cultivated fields and the high grades of stock. All these are an indication of their thrift, energy and perseverance, qualities which are indispensable to success. Moreover, they enjoy the confidence of the general public as business men and the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 68.

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John B. McQueen
Born May 6, 1826

JOHN B. McQUEEN, Justice of the Peace, Anamosa; is a native of Clark Co., Ohio, and was born May 6, 1826; he was brought up there and in Indiana. He came to Iowa in 1849, and located in Linn Co. in 1851, and lived there until 1864, when he came to Anamosa. He was in the army, and served in the Quartermaster's Department; there were six brothers of them, all in the army; we doubt if there is a family in the State that can show a similar record; after his return from the service, he has been engaged in the mercantile business, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. McQueen has been connected prominently with the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and is a member of Stella Lodge, No. 223, and also of McDaniel Encampment, No. 32; he has been Representative to the Grand Encampment and to the Grand Lodge for three years; D.D.G.P., and D.D.G.M.; he has instituted three Lodges in Jones Co., the first one at Center Junction, No. 245, and Olin Lodge, No. 340, and Clay Mills Lodge, No. 341, two consecutive numbers in one month; he is also connected with the Masons, and is a member of Anamosa Lodge, No. 46, and Mount Sinai Chapter, No. 66. He married Huldah L. Bissell, a native of Otsego Co., N.Y., February 19, 1P54; she died March 4, 1868, leaving one son, William Edwin.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 566.

John, Richard & Thomas H. McQuillen

JOHN, RICHARD & THOMAS H. McQUILLEN, farmers, Richland Twp., Sec. 23; P.O. Cascade; sons of John McQuillen, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1830; lived in Albany, N.Y., till he came to Jones Co. in the spring of 1846; he settled where his sons now live : lie died in the fall of the year he came to the county. Besides the three brothers mentioned above, is George, who resides in Washington Township; another, Bernard, died in 1865; the homestead, now owned by John, Richard and Thomas, contains 500 acres, 300 of which is improved; they are engaged principally in stock-raising. Thomas, born in 1846, is the only one of the brothers born in Jones Co.; he has held several township offices; has been Township Clerk and Collector for four years; was a Justice of the Peace from 1871 to 1875; he was one of the first Directors of the Cascade, Bellevue & Western Railroad. The brothers are Democrats in politics. Their mother, Margarette MoQuillen, lives with them. They are Catholics in religion.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 690.

John McQuillen
Born September 23, 1841

John McQuillen, one of the wealthy farmers of Richland township, was born in Albany, New York, September 23, 1841, and is a son of John and Margaret (Lang) McQuillen, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Richard McQuillen on another page of this volume. He was but five years of age when his parents came to Jones county, and can well remember the early years of their life here, where their first shelter from the elements was a rude log cabin. The school in which he was a pupil was also housed in a building of logs, but he maintains that even more valuable lessons were learned there than in the more commodious and handsomely fitted schoolhouses of the present. For two terms he was also a student at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Naturally he early assumed some of the responsibilities of the operation of the farm, and united with his brothers in lifting the heavy burden from the shoulders of their mother, whose lot would have been severe enough under the best of circumstances, but was especially difficult at that early date.

The brothers remained together until 1870, when the family circle was broken through George's removal to another township, and then in 1890 the property was divided, John McQuillen acquiring the homestead. He has added to it in the last twenty years, so that it now embraces four hundred and forty-four acres, a tract of land that is excellently well adapted to general farming, which he pursues. In addition to his purely agricultural interests, Mr. McQuillen has engaged to some extent in the breeding of registered shorthorn cattle and has found this branch of his business very lucrative. Indeed, as the result of his earnest toil, his application and the habits of economy and foresight which he learned early in his youth he has become one of the most substantial and widely respected representatives of his calling in Richland township.

In 1891, Mr. McQuillen married Miss Elizabeth Lawler, of Monticello, Iowa. Six children have been born to the couple, and four survive. They are: Margaret Ann, Henry Albert, William Satolli and Mary Josephine, all at home. The family are devout members of the Catholic church, while Mr. McQuillen is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Politically he has ever given his support to the democratic party, and as trustee and one of the school board he has rendered efficient service to the township. The former office he held through three or four terms, and his administration was distinguished by those qualities of integrity and high principles which have marked the course of his private life.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 273.

Richard McQuillen
Born May 1, 1843

Among the countless numbers who have answered the call of opportunity to the shores of the new world were the parents of Richard McQuillen. John McQuillen, his father, and Margaret Lang, his mother, grew to young manhood and womanhood among the green vales of Erin. When they came to America, both young people settled in Albany, New York, where they were soon united in marriage. The father was an engineer on the New York Central Railway, his route lying between Albany and Schenectady, New York. That was in the early '40s and the New York Central at that time could boast of only three engines. The one upon which John McQuillen plied the throttle lever was named the John Bull, but even this constant reminder of other days was unable to dampen the enthusiasm of the young Irishman for the country to which he bad come.

Richard McQuillen was born in Albany, New York, May 1, 1843, and in 1846 the family came west to Jones county, Iowa, arriving here on the 4th of July. Iowa was still a territory at that time and the father bought a claim in Richland township, his son John residing on this land at the present day. Sadly enough the head of the family lived but two months after acquiring his homestead, his death occurring on the 23d of August, 1846. In his family were five sons: Bernard deceased; George, deceased; John, who lives on the old homestead in Richland township; Richard, the subject of the sketch; and Thomas, who is now located in Dubuque county, where he holds the position of county supervisor. The mother of these boys kept the family together and reared its members to manhood. This brave and dauntless woman lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years, her death occurring in September, 1889.

Richard McQuillen enjoyed the experience so interesting to the younger generation, used as it is to a more advanced civilization, of growing up in an old pioneer log cabin with its open fireplace and puncheon floor. He also acquired his education in a log cabin schoolhouse. In his tenth year he attended the Farm Creek district school, but in 1857 a log schoolhouse was erected in the district in which he was living. The McQuillen boys assumed many of the burdens and responsibility which would naturally have fallen upon their father's shoulders and cooperated in the cultivation of the farm. They kept together until 1870, when George settled in Washington township, and in 1880 Thomas removed to Dubuque county, leaving Richard and John to their cooperative farming for another decade. In 1890 they divided the property and Richard took possession of a farm of his own, which consisted of three hundred and eighty acres, two hundred and sixty of which he had purchased two years previously. He also owns some three hundred acres in Washington township. He makes a specialty of pasturing and raising cattle and has extensive interests in that line.

Mr. McQuillen was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Winters, of Dubuque, March 31, 1801, and three sons have been born to them: John R., who is a student at St. Joseph's College in Dubuque; Charles T. and Francis J., who are at home.

Mr. McQuillen is a stanch member of the democratic party and for twelve years was actively identified with it as township trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He is recognized as one of the sound and influential men of his community.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 257.