My Genealogy Hound

ABDIEL McCLURE, ESQ. (deceased). Among the prominent citizens of Allegheny county there is none more worthy of mention than the subject of this sketch. He was descended from that harder Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock so prominent in the history of Pennsylvania. The McClure family first settled east of the mountains. John McClure, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was one of the early settlers of Allegheny county, and he located on and purchased the land where Homestead now stands, which tract of land was called “Amity,” and consisted of 329 ½ acres. The original patents, granted to him May 19, 1786, are still in the posession of his descendants, and it is a fact worthy of mention that this land has continued in their uninterrupted possession for four generations, covering a period of more than a century. John McClure, Sr., was fond of the chase, and kept a pack of hounds. He traveled over Western Pennsylvania, but found no land that suited him so well as his “Homestead.” He married Martha Denny. His son, John McClure, lived a life resembling that of his father. He took great interest in politics and was a prominent whig. He married Agnes Topping, a native of Westmoreland county, Pa. They were members of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, and reared a family of ten children: John, Robert, James, Matthew, William, Abdiel, Mrs. Martha McCrea, Mrs. Jane Whitaker, Mrs. Nancy D. Risher and Pollie McClure. Of these, Abdiel married Anne W., a daughter of Daniel and Sarah C. (Cready) Risher. Mrs. McClure was born in this county, Dec. 14, 1818, and is the mother of eight children, five now living, viz.: Sarah R., wife of C. W. Taylor, of Taylor & Bullock, Liberty street, Pittsburgh; Matthew L.; Miss Martha D., residing at Homestead with her mother; Daniel R. and J. Henry.

Abdiel McClure was a man of unusual ability. His influence was felt in religious and business matters, and he was universally loved and respected. In political circles he was recognized as an upright, honest gentleman. He was a republican, and held the office of county recorder from 1863 to 1866. In the latter part of his life he became identified with temperance reform and was an earnest worker and supporter of that cause. After his term of office as recorder expired, he farmed the “Homestead,” and also became interested in a wholesale business in Pittsburgh. When he sold 113 acres of land to the Homestead Bank and Life Insurance company, of which he was a member, he very wisely set apart building lots for churches and schools. He was a contractor and builder, and established the Homestead planing-mill, which he conducted until his death. His life was an example worthy of emulation. He was a quiet and thoughtful man, of a just and peaceful disposition, honest and equitable in the extreme. He was justice of the peace a number of times, and he was often chosen to settle estates. He was an earnest Christian and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Matthew L. McClure was born at Homestead, Dec. 24, 1841, where he received his education and learned the trade of carpenter. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 14th P. C, and served with his regiment under Gens. Hunter, Averill and Sheridan in the Army of Western Virginia. At the close of the war he returned home, and was clerk for his father in the county recorder’s office; then engaged in the lumber business in Pittsburgh some three years; then worked at his trade in Erie county until 1874, when he returned to Pittsburgh and kept books for a wholesale grocery until 1879, and since then has been engaged at his trade, and in the planing-mill at Homestead. He was married Sept. 13, 1866, to Miss Hannah S., a daughter of Rev. James F. Read, of Union City, Erie county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are members of the First Presbyterian Church, Homestead, and have two children, Abdiel R. and Florence L. Mr. McClure is one of the administrators of his father’s estate, and has been councilman and assessor of Homestead.

Daniel R. McClure was born at Homestead, Oct. 17, 1846; is a graduate of Duff’s College. He also attended the Penn Institute. He was deputy county recorder two years. After traveling for his health he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the old Fort Pitt Bank. He ranks among the leading business-men of Homestead, has taken an active interest in anything that is of benefit to that town, and has been councilman four years. Mr. McClure is a director of the First National Bank, and president of the Homestead Building & Loan association. He was also appointed one of the administrators of his father’s estate. He was married to Miss Mary E. Gleadall, Feb. 22, 1876, and this union has been blessed with three children: Daniel R., Mary G. and Robert M. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are members of the Presbyterian Church.