My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH McCLURG (deceased) was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and died in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 30, 1851, aged sixty-two years. His father, Thomas McClurg, was also a native of County Antrim, of Scotch antecedents, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a sister of Sir William Montgomery, of that county. About one hundred years ago Thomas McClurg migrated to Pittsburgh and patented from the state six hundred acres of land in what is now the south side of the city. (The family mansion stood on the present site of the American Iron-works.) He was possessed of ample means, and left his family a handsome inheritance. He died Aug. 2, 1829, aged over seventy years. He had three sons and two daughters: Joseph, John, Thomas, Martha and Margaret. Of these, Joseph took a theological course, but was never ordained in the ministry. He was a consistent member of the Covenanter, or Reformed Presbyterian, Church, and was a deep Bible student, spending most of his time, not taken up in the care of his large estate, in his library. He endeared himself by his mild and genial disposition to the few who were privileged to know him. In March, 1817, he married Julia, daughter of James Fleming, descended from the houses of Fleming and MacDonald, of Scotland. Of their children only two are living: Miss Mary A. McClurg and Mrs. M. Varner (see sketch of Thos. Varner), who reside on the estate, and are known for their deeds of quiet charity. Mrs. McClurg died before her husband, in July, 1845. The other children were Thomas B., Joseph, James, Margaret (Mrs. Millard), and Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Laferty).