My Genealogy Hound

BAXTER B. McCLURE comes from a well known family who settled at a very early period in Northampton County. He is one of the representative citizens of East Allen Township, and is prominent in all public-spirited works of progress. In political circles he is especially well known in this locality, having been a candidate on the Republican ticket for both Houses of the Legislature. The county being overwhelmingly Democratic, however, made it practically impossible to elect a Republican Legislature under ordinary conditions, and he was therefore not returned. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture, an important organization, the Board consisting of one member from every county in the state.

Mr. McClure was born May 29, 1837, in Chester County, Pa., his parents being William W. and Elizabeth (Grier) McClure. The former was also a native of Chester County, and on the paternal side was descended from Irish ancestors. The founders of the family in America left the northern part of Ireland, and became early settlers of Chester County, Pa. Other members of the family located in the Southern States, and this immediate branch were for some time located in North Carolina. The family is also of Scotch origin by inter-marriage. The maternal ancesters of B. B. McClure were of like descent, and they were among the early pioneers of Northampton County, locating in what was known as the “Irish Settlement.” His father, William W. McClure, was forty years a merchant and Postmaster at Brandywine Manor, in Chester County. His death occurred in 1875, when one of his sons succeeded him in business. Five of his children are now living. Agnes is the widow of Dr. N. G. Thompson, of Coatesville, Pa.; Caroline is a resident of Chester County, as is also her brother James G. and her sister Clarisa G. Baxter B., of whom we write, completes the number of the family yet living.

The boyhood of B. B. McClure was passed on a farm in Chester County, where he learned thoroughly the details of agricultural work. He received his education in the public schools of Chester County, and then for three years attended the Howard Academy at Rockville, Pa. He afterward taught school for three terms. At an early age he engaged in business for himself in the queensware and crockery trade, in Philadelphia, having for a partner Isaac R. Buchanan. The firm continued business successfully under the name of Buchanan & McClure, with their store at No. 837 Market Street. At the end of two years Mr. McClure returned to farming, which he followed for a period comprising eight years. Leaving Chester County at the expiration of that time, he removed to this county, arriving here in 1879, since which time he has lived at his present home. Educational matters have always received his warm support and hearty assistance, as to his good education in youth he owes a large share of his success in later years. He is practical and progressive in his ideas, and carries out his early training in industry, energy and enterprise. Success has crowned his efforts, and prosperity blessed his home.

March 19, 1872, Mr. McClure took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Sallie A., daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Wilson) Horner. The latter were natives of Northampton County, and were among the early settlers of East Allen Township. Mrs. McClure has one surviving sister, Jennie by name, who is now residing with her.

As related in the beginning of this sketch, Mr. McClure is a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture, and in this public way endeavors to inculcate the best and most practical modern theories, and to keep fully abreast with the times in everything relating to the cultivation of the soil. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the lodge at Bethlehem, and is Master of Allen Grange No. 795, East Allen Township. A worthy member of the Presbyterian Church at Bath, to which his wife also belongs, he is now serving the same as Elder. Progressive and liberal minded, he merits the esteem and respect of all, which he in full measure possesses.