SOLOMON McCLEERY.
Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-office, Avalon. Now in his
sixty-eighth year, Mr. McCleery has spent a life of energetic, active
industry and one not unrewarded with substantial results. His birth
occurred February 9, 1819, in Crawford county, Pa., his parents being
Thomas and Margaret McCleery, nee Wilson, the father a native of
Scotland and the mother originally from the north of Ireland. They
emigrated to the United States in 1817, locating in Crawford county,
and there the father was engaged in farming until his removal to Mercer
county, Pa., where he died in 1857 at the ripe old age of 87 years; his
wife was about 65 years old at the time of her death some three years
previous. Eight children were in their family: Thomas, of New
Wilmington, Pa., who has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for
50 years; he has a son William, who was a first lieutenant in the Army
of the Potomac all during the war; William of Oakland, Cal., now
retired; Nancy, widow of Henry Ewing, of Pennsylvania; Joseph, a
teacher and surveyor of Mercer country, Pa.; Elizabeth, living at New
Hamburg, Pa.; Alexander died when 17 years old; James enlisted in Co.
H, 23d Illinois volunteers, during the war and saw much active service;
in the Missouri campaign he was taken prisoner by Mulligan's men and
subsequently he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac with which
he served until being killed near Medley, Md., January 30, 1864;
Wilson, the youngest son, died at the age of 23.
Solomon McCleery after growing up on a farm and receiving the
privileges of a good common school education enlisted in Co. C, 45th
Illinois volunteers, and, going South, he was engaged in the hard
fought battles of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry, Corinth, Jackson, etc.
Many were the hardships he endured and finally he was unfitted for
active service by reason of sickness, and consequently was honorably
discharged January 23, 1862, after which he returned to his old home in
Knox county, Ill., where he remained until 1869. In that year he came
to Livingston county, Mo., and took up his location at his present
place. Here he has 80 acres of valuable land, just east of Avalon, one
of the most desirable homesteads to be found anywhere. The appearance
of the farm gives evidence of the liberality and progressiveness of its
owner, for in all things tending to public improvement Mr. Cleery has
at all times freely given his support. His children have each enjoyed
good educational advantages and on starting in life have been presented
with substantial gifts. They have all done honor to the name they bear.
Mr. McC. was married January 8, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Y. Green, and
they have the following children: Margaret, wife of J. N. Kennedy, of
Grand River township, this county; William J., of Jericho, Cedar
County, Mo.; Jackson W. died at Chillicothe July 22, 1882; Charles died
in infancy; Ninittie V., now Mrs. Richard K. Jackson, of Chillicothe,
and Nellie E., at home.
History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties,
Missouri, 1886
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