My Genealogy Hound

M. W. McClure. Among the early prominent settlers of Arkansas were Samuel and Mary (Calahan) McClure, of North Carolina, and farmers by occupation, and who came to this State in 1840, locating in Fergeson Township, Yell County, where the father entered 160 acres of land, making slight improvements, subsequently adding and improving 200 more, on which they resided till their deaths, the father’s occurring in 1857, and the mother following him in 1858, dying in the Presbyterian faith. The father was a very active politician. Our subject, who was born in Tennessee, May 8, 1826, was reared on a farm and when eighteen years of age started out to make his own way in the world, and on arriving at twenty-one (1847) bought eighty acres of his present farm, situated in the woods, clearing and improving this and adding to it till he now owns 127 acres, with thirty-five under cultivation. In the sixties, when the call for troops was given, he entered a company commanded by Capt. Gault, remaining in it till it reached Little Rock, some time in 1862, when he went home. Soon after joining Capt. Daniel’s company of cavalry, was in service in Indian Territory, and with Gen. Price on his famous raid throughout Missouri, and for twenty-one days was in continual hearing of battle, and at the time of the surrender was with the command in Texas, and at its disbandment came home and once more took up farming. He was twice married. His first marriage taking place in February, 1847, to Miss Louisa Haney, daughter of John Haney, a pioneer from South Carolina. She died in September, 1862, leaving three children to her husband’s care: Winfield (a resident of this county), Arkansas (wife of John Ward), Henry (married and lives in this county), and John (deceased at the age of eight years). His second occurring in 1866 to Mrs. Mary A. McClure, widow of John McClure, and daughter of Edmond Jones, who came from South Carolina in 1842 to Arkansas, and died in 1864, his widow dying in 1877. To them were born four children: Clara (wife of Anda Huoff, and who died when only nineteen), Willie, Mamie and Samuel. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always taken an active interest in politics, and was the successful candidate for county treasurer in 1880, serving two terms; and is deeply interested in school matters, being a director of the first free school in the county; is a Mason, belonging to Christian Lodge No. 394.