Thomas Jefferson McClure
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History Of Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties, Missouri, Barry County, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1888, page 1011 Thomas J. McClure, for many years one of this county's substantial and prosperous farmers, died at his home southwest of Cassville on the Washburn road, Saturday night, January 22, 1916, at the age of 82 years. He was born in Tennessee, in 1834. His parents moved to Washington Co., Ark. When about two years old he moved with his parents John and Margaret (Kennedy) McClure, to this county where he has since lived except while in the service of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He served in Co. C. 8th Missouri regiment, enlisting in 1862 and serving until 1864. He was in the battle of Helena and the skirmish at Fayetteville Ark. After the war he returned home and resumed his work on the farm. He owned a fine farm on Washburn Prairie valley which he always kept in a high state of cultivation. Mr. McClure was twice married. His first wife, Isabel Roland, died in 1865. To that union three children were born: Finis, deceased, and Mrs. T. D. Pitts of Monett and Emmett, now at home. His second wife, now deceased, was a sister of his first wife. Of the second marriage four children were born, three of whom are living. They are John P. McClure of Purdy, Ewing at home and Mrs. Anna Arnold who lives near the old home place. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and a most highly esteemed citizen. With his passing another pioneer of Barry county is numbered with the dead. The funeral was help Monday, conducted by Rev. E.W. Love of this city. Interment was made at the Washburn Prairie cemetery. History Of Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties, Missouri, Barry County, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1888, page 1035 Thomas J. McClure, Sr., a farmer living four miles south of Cassville, Barry Co., Mo., was born in East Tennessee in 1834, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kennedy) McClure. John McClure was a native American, but his father came from Ireland. John McClure and wife were the parents of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Daniel K., deceased; Ewing, deceased; Allan, deceased; William, who resides near Washburn, Barry County; Rebecca, who lives in Washington County, Ark.; John, deceased; George, who resides in Washington County, Ark.; Polly Ann, deceased, and Thomas J. The last named was taken by relatives to Washington County, Ark., when he was about eight months old, and remained there about two years. Since then his home has been in Barry County, Mo. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Company C, Eighth Missouri regiment, and was in the service until 1864. He participated in the skirmishes at Fayetteville, Ark., and in the battle of Helena, and after the war returned home. He has been twice married. His first wife, Isabel Roland, died in 1865, leaving three children, all of whom are living, viz.: Finis Lafayette, Cordelia P. (Mrs. Theophilus D. Pitts) and Thomas E. In 1866 Mr. McClure married his first wife’s sister, Mrs. America Martin, widow of Thomas J. Martin, and to them were born four children, all of whom are living: John P., Ewing K., Francis E. and Mary Ann. Mr. McClure has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances. His farm of 175 acres is beautifully situated, and is in a high state of cultivation. Submitted by Donna Cooper and Linda Garrett |