My Genealogy Hound

Thomas G. McClure, farmer and stock-raiser near Rocky Mount, was born in Moniteau County, Mo., in 1837, and is the third in a family of ten children born to Samuel and Ann (Masterson) McClure, natives of Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. The father came to Missouri about 1830, settling in what is now Moniteau County, entered land and engaged in farming. He went to Cape Girardeau, here married Miss Masterson, and then returned to Moniteau County. In 1861 he moved to Miller County, enlisted in Company D, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and after one year’s service was discharged for disability. He then returned home, but later enlisted in the Enrolled Militia, and while out on a scouting expedition below Tuscumbia he, with sixteen others, was captured, August 30, 1864. He and six others, who were members of the Union League, were then ordered to stand aside, where they were at once shot. On the organization of the G. A. R. post at Aurora Springs, in 1885, it was given his name. Thomas McClure assisted his father on the farm until 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, and served one year. He was in a number of engagements, and at Red River in Arkansas he had a horse shot from under him. Later he was discharged for disability, came home and enlisted in the Enrolled Militia; was a sergeant, and for seven months was first lieutenant. He was discharged and mustered out at Jefferson City in 1865, and afterward made two trips to Western Texas for his health. In 1863 he married Miss Ellen Cotten, who died in 1865, leaving one child, Alice. In 1867 Mr. McClure married Miss Mary E. Cotten, sister of his former wife. After this Mr. McClure made another trip to Texas, and upon his return bought a farm near Rocky Mount, in the vicinity of which he has since resided. In June, 1888, he went to California, and returned by way of Texas. He has been engaged in stock-raising, and has done much to introduce new and better stock. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 145, at Aurora, and is one of the representative citizens of Miller County. To his second marriage were born seven children: Benjamin F. (deceased), an infant unnamed, Dora E. (deceased), Jennie I., Chloe M., Thomas W. and Gertrude Ann.