Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 611] deceased, an ex-sheriff of Mercer County, this State, was born in Perry township, Lawrence County, March 22, 1839. He was a son of John and Ruth (Axtle) McClure, the former a native of Perry, Pa., and the latter a native of Lake township.
John McClure was born in Ireland and came over from the "ould sod" with his mother when a young man, and settled in the vicinity of Sandy Lake; he was the oldest of the children, and, as his father was dead, he was to all intents and purposes the head of the family. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and was thus engaged all the active period of his life. In his political affiliations he was a stanch Republican but never held office of any description. His wife, Ruth, bore him the seven following children: Mary, who married John Hadley of Perry township; Zenas, who married Elizabeth McQuestan; Loretta, who married Josiah Long of Perry township; Robert C., our subject; Hannah, who married David Pattison of Perry township; Ufame, who married James A. DeFrance of Sandy Lake; and Emily, who became the wife of Lafayette Riggs of Hubbard, Ohio. They were Presbyterians in their religious belief. The father died in 1863, aged seventy years, and the mother was taken to the heavenly home in 1882, aged seventy-two years. Robert C. McClure, upon the completion of an education, acquired in the district schools of his native place, worked on a farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he enlisted in Co. G, 145th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., Second Corps, under Capt. W. W. Wood; he served two years, received the commission of lieutenant for meritorious conduct and superior abilities, and was discharged because of disabilities received in the service. He then carried on farming at home until 1872, when in the November election of that year he was chosen sheriff of Mercer County, a position he filled with dignity and vigor, giving complete satisfaction to all law-abiding citizens, but dealing relentlessly with the members of the criminal classes. His energy and perseverance made him a valuable member of the community, and he was always ready to be interested in any movement intended for the public good. Socially he was an Odd Fellow, and also a member of the G. A. R. Post of Greenville, Pa. His life was spent in great part in Mercer County, and there his death took place in 1890; it was only after the latter sad occurrence that his widow became a resident of New Castle.
In 1860 our subject married Isabell Pattison of Hadley, Pa., and to them were born five children: David, the eldest, married Emily Luce of Hubbard, Ohio, and has two children, Robert and Adelia; Margaret; Alexander P., who married Nora Douglass of Pittsburg, Pa., and has had two children, Margaret, deceased, and Helen; Ruth F.; and Robert, who died aged one year. The family are faithful in their adherence to the principles and dogmas of the Presbyterian Church.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 23 Jul 2001