George W McCoy, an extensive farmer of Mt Sterling, IL, was born in Adams Co., MD, January 1, 1831. His father, Samuel McCoy, was born in Cecil Co., MD in 1796. The grandfather of our subject, Alexander McCoy, was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. His parents were poor and he commenced very early to earn his own living, being brought up to work in a factory.
He was a lad in his 'teens when he came to America and located in Maryland, where his parents who had preceded him to America were then living. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for some time. He was twice married but lost both of his wives before coming to Ohio.
After the death of his second wife he removed with his children to Ohio and lived in that State some years, and then spent his last years in Brown Co., IL. The father of our subject died in 1882, in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
He was about eighteen years old when he went to Ohio. He was very industrious, saved his earnings and finally purchased land in Adams County. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits but still followed his trade a portion of each year. He resided in Adams county until 1839, and then sold his farm there and came to Illinois. He was accompanied by his wife and three children, and the entire journey was made overland. After about fifteen days' travel they landed in Brown Co., IL. He purchased a tract of land near Versailles, and there devoted his time to farming. He was a resident of Brown Co., until his death, which occurred as before state.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Pilston. She was born in Virginia, a daughter of William and Esther Pilston. She died in Ohio in 1834.
The subject of this writing was in his ninth year when he came to Illinois with his parents. At that time the country was wild and deer, wild turkeys and other game were quite plentiful. Farming was conducted in the most primitive manner. All the grass was cut with a scythe, and the grain was either cut with a reap hook or a cradle and trampled out with horses or with a flail. There were no fanning-mills, and in order to clean the grain, one man would take it in a sieve and hold it high and two others would stand by with a sheet with which they fanned the air and in that manner separated the grain from the chaff.
Mr. McCoy remained with his father until nineteen years of age, then commenced farming on rented land. When he attained his majority his father gave him $250, and with that and his earnings he had enough to pay cash on 120 acres of land, which is now included in the farm he now occupies. The whole price of the farm was $680, and he paid six percent interest on the balance.
He lived in a log cabin and in that humble abode himself and wife commenced housekeeping. They occupied that dwelling about eighteen months and then built a brick house. Since that time he has erected a commodious frame house and other buildings, planted fruit and shade trees and placed the land in a high state of cultivation. He has been very successful as a farmer and has purchased other land at different times and is now the owner of about 500 acres, all in Brown Co.
The marriage of Mr. McCoy took place January 27, 1853, to Sarah Harper. She was born in Ohio, August 29, 1835, and was the daughter of Elder James Harper. Mrs. McCoy died November 2, 1868 and Mr. McCoy subsequently married Lucinda, a sister of his former wife, October 28, 1869. She was born in Brown Co., IL, April 17, 1847, and died May 7, 1890. He was married to Laura J. Putman, October 28, 1891. She was born in Ohio, August 7, 1841. Her father, William Putman, was born in Bourbon Co., KY, October 16, 1797, and was the son of Zachariah and Winnifred (Collins) Putman. The parents of Mrs. McCoy moved to Ohio and resided in Champaign Co. for some years, coming from there to Illinois in 1841, at which time the father purchased a farm in Mt. Sterling township, which he occupied until his death, July 24, 1880. Mr. McCoy has five children by his first marriage: Elvira, Mahala, Mary Jane, Turner and Martha. Of his second marriage there are William and Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Primitive Baptist Church and are good pious people. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served long as Supervisor and has been Chairman of the Board. [Published in Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois 1892 pgs 344 & 345 Reprinted By Stevens Publishing Co., Astoria, IL 1971, thanks to Marty Hume Bailey]
George W McCoy, an extensive farmer of Mt Sterling, IL, was born in Adams Co., MD, January 1, 1831. His father, Samuel McCoy, was born in Cecil Co., MD in 1796. The grandfather of our subject, Alexander McCoy, was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. His parents were poor and he commenced very early to earn his own living, being brought up to work in a factory.
He was a lad in his 'teens when he came to America and located in Maryland, where his parents who had preceded him to America were then living. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for some time. He was twice married but lost both of his wives before coming to Ohio.
After the death of his second wife he removed with his children to Ohio and lived in that State some years, and then spent his last years in Brown Co., IL. The father of our subject died in 1882, in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
He was about eighteen years old when he went to Ohio. He was very industrious, saved his earnings and finally purchased land in Adams County. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits but still followed his trade a portion of each year. He resided in Adams county until 1839, and then sold his farm there and came to Illinois. He was accompanied by his wife and three children, and the entire journey was made overland. After about fifteen days' travel they landed in Brown Co., IL. He purchased a tract of land near Versailles, and there devoted his time to farming. He was a resident of Brown Co., until his death, which occurred as before state.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Pilston. She was born in Virginia, a daughter of William and Esther Pilston. She died in Ohio in 1834.
The subject of this writing was in his ninth year when he came to Illinois with his parents. At that time the country was wild and deer, wild turkeys and other game were quite plentiful. Farming was conducted in the most primitive manner. All the grass was cut with a scythe, and the grain was either cut with a reap hook or a cradle and trampled out with horses or with a flail. There were no fanning-mills, and in order to clean the grain, one man would take it in a sieve and hold it high and two others would stand by with a sheet with which they fanned the air and in that manner separated the grain from the chaff.
Mr. McCoy remained with his father until nineteen years of age, then commenced farming on rented land. When he attained his majority his father gave him $250, and with that and his earnings he had enough to pay cash on 120 acres of land, which is now included in the farm he now occupies. The whole price of the farm was $680, and he paid six percent interest on the balance.
He lived in a log cabin and in that humble abode himself and wife commenced housekeeping. They occupied that dwelling about eighteen months and then built a brick house. Since that time he has erected a commodious frame house and other buildings, planted fruit and shade trees and placed the land in a high state of cultivation. He has been very successful as a farmer and has purchased other land at different times and is now the owner of about 500 acres, all in Brown Co.
The marriage of Mr. McCoy took place January 27, 1853, to Sarah Harper. She was born in Ohio, August 29, 1835, and was the daughter of Elder James Harper. Mrs. McCoy died November 2, 1868 and Mr. McCoy subsequently married Lucinda, a sister of his former wife, October 28, 1869. She was born in Brown Co., IL, April 17, 1847, and died May 7, 1890. He was married to Laura J. Putman, October 28, 1891. She was born in Ohio, August 7, 1841. Her father, William Putman, was born in Bourbon Co., KY, October 16, 1797, and was the son of Zachariah and Winnifred (Collins) Putman. The parents of Mrs. McCoy moved to Ohio and resided in Champaign Co. for some years, coming from there to Illinois in 1841, at which time the father purchased a farm in Mt. Sterling township, which he occupied until his death, July 24, 1880. Mr. McCoy has five children by his first marriage: Elvira, Mahala, Mary Jane, Turner and Martha. Of his second marriage there are William and Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Primitive Baptist Church and are good pious people. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served long as Supervisor and has been Chairman of the Board. [Published in Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois 1892 pgs 344 & 345 Reprinted By Stevens Publishing Co., Astoria, IL 1971, thanks to Marty Hume Bailey]
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