My Genealogy Hound

DAVID McCOY, who carried on general farming on section 16, Ora Township, Jackson County, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Coles County, May 17, 1830. The family is of Irish origin. The father of our subject was born in Tennessee about 1797, and there married Mahala Evans, a native of the same state. In 1829, they emigrated to Jackson County, Ill. They afterward lived in Arkansas and St. Louis, and subsequently made a permanent location in this community. Both parents died on their farm near the present home of our subject in 1879. Mr. McCoy was a typical pioneer, who delighted in exploring new country and making new settlements. In the family were four sons and two daughters: John Wesley, who died in Belleville; William, who died in childhood; Daniel C., whose last days were spent in Jackson County; Nancy, who became the wife of John R. Gillet and died near Chester, Ill., and Cynthia, who became the wife of Isaac Griffin, and after his death married James Walker, who is also now deceased.

Mr. McCoy of this sketch has followed farming throughout his entire life. When twenty-one years of age he started out for himself empty-handed. He chose as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey Miss Amanda, daughter of John Cheatham. Her death occurred seven years later. Four children were born to them: John W., whose birth occurred April 30, 1852; William, who died at the age of four years; Mary Elizabeth, who died at the age of two, and Charles, who died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. McCoy chose Mrs. Mary M. Stone, widow of John M. Stone. Their wedding was celebrated January 24, 1860, and they became the parents of the following children: Castoson, who died in infancy; David, who was born November 5, 1864; Ellen, who was born December 6, 1866, and is the wife of Alex Varnum, by whom she has four sons and two daughters, Charles, William D., John E., Thomas T., Letta and Martha A.; Eliza A., who was born August 24, 1868, and died at the age of seven years, and Stephen D., who was born April 9, 1871, and died in infancy.

Mrs. McCoy was born in St. Clair County, Ill., March 7, 1834. Her father, James Chew, was born in Indiana, and in St. Clair County, in 1826, married Nancy Mellion. He was a pioneer Baptist preacher of southern Illinois, and was also a practicing physician of St. Clair County. In both lines of work he was very successful, His death occurred while on a visit to his people in Indiana in 1840. His widow afterward married John Edwards, and died March 1, 1889. By her first marriage, Mrs. McCoy had three children. Mary J., the eldest, wedded Willis Cheatham, by whom she had a son, Samuel. After the death of Mr. Cheatham she married Philo Jenkins, and they had a daughter, Mary E. The mother died August 18, 1885. The second daughter, Lena, is now the wife of John Stanes, a farmer of Ora Township, and they have five children: Laura M., aged twenty-one; Rolla, eighteen; Otis, fourteen; Herbert, seven, and John, a lad of six summers.

On the 2d of September, 1861, Mr. McCoy entered the service of his country as a private of Company G, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, which was commanded first by Colonel Kirk, and afterward by Colonel Aza. He saw much hard service under General Sherman, but was never sick, wounded or taken prisoner, and engaged in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment took part. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Missionary Ridge, Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard’s Roost, siege of Atlanta and Jonesboro. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, where his regiment supported a heavy battery, he stood for hours by the booming guns, and the constant roar made him permanently deaf. This is a great affliction, for he is a very social and intelligent man and keenly enjoyed good company. He marched under Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, took part in the Grand Review in Washington, the finest military pageant ever seen in this country, and was honorably discharged in Louisville, Ky. He is a most enthusiastic admirer of General Sherman, and was a warm personal friend of Gen. John A. Logan.

Mr. McCoy holds membership with Ava Post, G. A. R., and from the Government, which he so faithfully aided to perpetuate, he now receives a pension of $27 per month. He has always been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and for many years he and his wife have been consistent members of the Free Will Baptist Church. His time and attention are now given to the further cultivation and improvement of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences, and is regarded as one of the best farms in the neighborhood. The owner is a man whose fidelity to duty and sterling worth have won him the highest regard of all, and his friends are many.