Mercer County PAGenWeb


Soloman McCleery  


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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