James McGuire is a native of
Ireland, born May 1, 1828. He immigrated with his parents
to the United States in 1836, landed at New York, where
he remained two years, then removed to Luzerne County,
Penn. In 1854 he came to Clayton County reaching Clayton
on Oct. 14, of that year. He worked at the carpenter's
and millwright's trade five years, then settled on his
present farm. It consists of 260 acres of fine land,
containing many excellent improvements. Mr. McGuire has
held the offices of School Director and Township Trustee,
serving creditably in both instances. He was married in
January, 1853, to Margaret Depew, who was born in
Pennsylvania, Oct. 23, 1834. They have twelve
children-Francis, born Aug. 21, 1854; James, June 22,
1857; John, July 6, 1859; Alfred, Feb. 27, 1861; Mary,
Feb. 16, 1863; Rachael, Oct. 17, 1864; Catherine, Oct.
14, 1866; Edward, Feb. 26, 1868; Margaret, May 9, 1870;
Caroline, Jan. 25, 1872; Jane Sept. 18, 1873; and Alice
May, Jan. 9, 1876. Rebecca Depew, the mother of Mrs.
McGuire, was born June 25, 1800, in Wayne County, Penn.
Her husband, Abraham Depew died in the State in 1843. She
resides with her daughter, Mrs. McGuire. The subject of
this memoir has been a member of the I. O. O. F.
fraternity since Jan. 15, 1853. He also belongs to the
Garnavillo lodge A. F. & A. M., having joined that
order Dec. 26, 1865. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 723-724 |