My Genealogy Hound

JOHN N. McCOY. As another illustration of the success which almost invariably crowns the exertions of the intelligent worker, mention should be made of Mr. McCoy, a prosperous farmer of Cass County and the owner of a fine farm located on section 30, LaGrange Township. The tract of land owned and operated by him has been brought to a high degree of cultivation through his arduous labors, and has been embellished with substantial buildings adapted to their varied purposes. From a small tract, including only fifty-eight acres, he gradually enlarged his possessions until he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty-two acres of improved land. A few words with reference to the parents of our subject will not be amiss. His paternal grandfather, Herman McCoy, was a farmer in the county of Montgomery, Va., where he was born and also where he died. The father of our subject, Richard McCoy, became self supporting when a mere lad, and upon establishing a home of his own married Miss Mary Sifford, the ceremony which united their lives being performed in Virginia, where the three eldest children in the family were born. In a very early day, Mr. McCoy came to Michigan, and entered a tract of land in Pokagon Township, Cass County. Though commencing a poor man, without capital other than his own industrious habits, he accumulated considerable property and gained a comfortable amount of this world’s goods. Politically, he was a Democrat, and always voted with that party. His death occurred when the subject of this sketch was about seventeen years of age. The wife and mother survived him a number of years, passing away in 1885.

The parental family consisted of seven sons and seven daughters, three of whom died young. There are now living six sons and five daughters. Born in Pokagon Township, Cass County, on the 20th of January, 1835, John N. McCoy remained at home with his mother until he was twenty-one, meanwhile receiving limited educational advantages and devoting his time principally to farm labor. Upon reaching his majority, he began working by the month, and for three years continued thus occupied. Upon making his first purchase of land, he bought fifty-eight acres, to which he added from time to time as opportunity offered, until he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty-two acres.

The lady who on the 25th of December, 1858, became the wife of Mr. McCoy bore the maiden name of Sarah McDaniels and is the daughter of John and Sarah (Moats) McDaniels. She was reared in Pokagon Township, there married and has spent most of her life in Cass County. She is a devoted wife and tender mother, bestowing every care and attention upon her children, Clarie E., David R. and Parry W. While nominally a Democrat, Mr. McCoy in reality is non-partisan and casts the weight of his influence and ballot for the man whom he deems best qualified for the particular office in question, irrespective of political affiliations.