Westmoreland County PA Archives Biographies.....Machesney, M. Howard June 3, 1870 - ????
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Alice Gless agless@earthlink.net October 17, 2024, 4:03 pm

Source: History of Henry County Illinois, Vol II, 1910
Author: Henry L. Kiner

M. Howard Machesney is one of the respected and representative citizens
of Annawan Township, his home being on the southwest quarter of Section
17.  His financial condition relieves him from the necessity of further
active labor so that he is practically living retired, although he still
gives his supervision to the management of his property interests.  His
birth occurred at the family home on Section 29, Annawan Township, June
3, 1870, his parents being James and Selinda (Burgett) Machesney.  The
father was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March
17, 1817, and was a son of Andrew and Mary (Henderson) Machesney.  The
family is of Irish origin and was founded in America by Mr. And Mrs.
William Machesney, the great-grandparents of our subject, who crossed
the Atlantic in 1786 and spent their remaining days in Westmoreland,
Pennsylvania, the death of William Machesney there occurring in 1825.
Andrew Machesney was a child of only four years at the time of the
emigration to the new world, and under the parental roof he spent his
boyhood days and was reared in the occupation of farming, which he made
his life work.  He removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he lived for
two years, but at the expiration of that period returned to the former
state, his death occurring in Greensburg in 1864 when he had reached the
age of eighty-two years.  His wife survived until January, 1868, and
died at the age of seventy-two years.  She was a native of Pennsylvania
and of Scotch descent.

James Machesney was reared to manhood in Westmoreland County, where he
acquired a good common-school education.  He came to Illinois in 1854
with his brother, David Machesney, who was a physician, and in 1855,
James Machesney opened a drug store in Annawan, where he continued
business until 1860.  Before coming to Illinois he had worked by the
month for two years, and when he started out at the end of that time he
had sixty dollars, which he put out at interest.  From that time until
his death there was never a year in which he did not have money out at
interest.  He was very careful in making loans, so that he never
suffered losses, and in his business management was so successful that
when he disposed of the drug store he had a capital of eight thousand
dollars.  He then began to buy land, his first purchase being one
hundred and twenty acres east of Annawan.  When favorable opportunity
presented he continued to invest in real estate and eventually became
the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, all in
Annawan Township.  He was a man of marked enterprise and unabating
energy, and his business ability and keen discrimination were evidenced
in the splendid success which he achieved.  He was married January 30,
1861, to Mrs. Selinda Johnson, nee Burgett, a native of Tippecanoe
County, Indiana, and a daughter of Silas and Sarah (Henderson) Burgett,
who were natives of Ohio but died in Indiana.  Mrs. Machesney came to
Illinois with her first husband, and following his death she gave her
hand in marriage to James Machesney.  They began their domestic life on
Section 29 Annawan Township, Henry County, where they continued to
reside throughout their remaining days.  They were the parents of five
children:  Mary Agnes, the wife of Joseph Anderson, a resident of
Annawan Township; Anna Ardelia, the wife of James Douglas, a resident of
Annawan; James Henderson, who married Minnie Booth and lives in Annawan;
M. Howard, of this review; and Morgan Burgett, who wedded Nora Batten
and lives in Annawan.

The father, James Machesney, was a republican in politics after the
organization of that party.  His first presidential vote was case for
Zachary Taylor.  He and his wife were members of the United Brethren
Church at Fairview, in Annawan Township.  His death occurred on the old
home farm March 13, 1903, while his widow passed away in the succeeding
fall and was laid to rest by his side in the Fairview Cemetery.  He was
truly a self-made man, who worked his way steadily upward by his energy
and diligence, allowing no obstacle nor difficulty to bar his path if it
could be overcome by honest and persistent effort.

M. Howard Machesney spent his boyhood days on the home farm, the duties
and labors of the fields early becoming familiar to him as he assisted
in their development through the periods of vacation, while through the
school year he pursued his education in the district school.  Having
arrived at years of maturity he sought a helpmate for life¹s journey,
being married on the 28th of December 1893, in Annawan Township to Miss
Dencie Barton, who was born in Burns Township and is a daughter of
George and Jane Barton.  Two children graced this union:  James, who was
born in Annawan Township, July 3, 1896, and Lois, born February 11,
1899.

Mr. Machesney carried on farming in connection with his father until the
latter¹s death.  He afterward inherited one hundred and seventy-six
acres of the estate and now has one hundred and eighty-six acres of very
valuable and productive land, which returns to him a gratifying and
substantial annual income.  In 1908 he erected upon his farm a beautiful
modern residence, thirty-two by thirty-two feet, two stories in height
with basement.  It is supplied with steam heat, a carbide system of
lighting, hot and cold water, with automatic pressure.  In fact, none of
the equipment of a model home is lacking, and it is one of the most
convenient, comfortable and attractive residences in Annawan Township‹a
fitting abode for one whose well spent life entitles him to the high
regard of his fellow citizens in this community.  He votes with the
Republican Party but never seeks office as a reward for party fealty.
He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Annawan and the Modern
Woodmen Camp, while his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church
at Fairview.  They occupy a prominent position in social circles, and
their home is the abode of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality which
is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 1997.

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