My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS McINTYRE, one of the pioneers of Randolph County, now makes his home on section 1, township 4, range 6, and has the confidence and esteem of the people throughout this part of the country. He is a son of John McIntyre, who was born in 1787 in the Highlands of Scotland, where also his grandfather, Daniel McIntyre, was born.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Margaret Oatly. She was born in Paisley, Scotland, in April, 1797, and was the daughter of Thomas Oatly. Her parents were born and married in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. John McIntyre resided in Renfrewshire, Scotland, where the former carried on his occupation of a weaver until 1839, when he crossed the Atlantic, and after landing in America came west as far as Illinois, where he made his home. He had visited this country in 1804, when a lad of seventeen years, in the interest of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, and had traded among the Indians. He remained for eleven years, and during that time learned the Indian language, which he could speak very well.

After locating in Randolph County, the father of our subject purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 12, township 4, which was then in its primitive wilderness. The following year, after erecting a cabin, he was joined by his family, who aided in hewing out a home from the wilderness. They suffered all the privations incidental to pioneer life. From their home to the Okaw River there was not a cultivated farm. Their neighbors were few, but Indians, deer and wildcats were very plentiful. The first year after coming here there was an immense prairie fire. Undaunted by obstacles, the father worked with diligence and soon accumulated considerable property.

The parental family included four children, of whom those living are, Daniel, who lives in Arkansas; John, who resides in Oklahoma; and our subject. The parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. The father died in 1865, and his good wife followed him to the better land ten years later. John Mclntyre was a Republican in politics. He was very prominent among the pioneers of this county, with whose interests his name has been inseparably connected, and his worth was appreciated throughout the entire community.

Thomas McIntyre was born September 10, 1835, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and was five years of age when his parents emigrated to America. Their landing was made in New York harbor, whence they went to Philadelphia. From there they went to Pittsburgh, and later came by boat to Chester, this county, the trip being made down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River. While at Louisville, our subject and his brother John, who were both young in years, took a skiff and began to row down the river. Being in ignorance of the falls, which were just ahead of them, they would have plunged over had they not been rescued by people from the shore. Young McIntyre after coming to this county attended school on Flat Prairie, which was conducted in a rude log house.

January 31, 1876, Thomas McIntyre and Miss Sarah Ann Curry were united in marriage. The lady was a native of Ireland, where her birth occurred January 13, 1839, and after her parents located in Knox County, Ohio, she was there reared to mature years and given a good education. By her union with our subject has been born one child, Mary Ellen. Mrs. McIntyre is a devoted member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and although our subject is not a member, he is a regular attendant and a liberal contributor to the same. Although in early life a Republican, he now reserves the right to vote for the man whom he considers will best fill the office. He has been School Director of his district for six years and is a man of much influence in his community.