My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM McCLURE, farmer, Monongahela City, is a descendant of Abdiel McClure, his great-grandfather, who came from Lycoming county, Pa., about 1770, and settled nine miles above Pittsburgh, on lands now occupied by Homestead and the city poor-farm. James, the fourth son, remained in Lycoming county. Elizabeth, his only daughter, married John Hoge, and settled in Washington, Washington county, Pa. Abdiel, with his three sons, William, John and Denny, settled in the Monongahela valley. Of these, William settled in what is now Forward township, on lands now owned by James Patrick and Mrs. Louisa Wallace; John on the present site of Homestead borough, and Denny near Wheeling. Our subject’s grandfather, William, was a justice of the peace, and did an immense business as an official, being held in high esteem by all; having received a liberal education, and such advantages not being as accessible as at present, he became deservedly prominent in his section. James, father of William, was born where the family first settled, Aug. 6, 1785, and married Elizabeth Applegate. They had seven children: Maria, Eliza, Jane and Aaron (all deceased), Harvey, a druggist in Elizabeth; James and William, both residing in Forward township.

William was born on his grandfather’s old farm, May 30, 1811, and Sept. 29, 1836, married Jane, daughter of John and Jane Storer, of what is now Forward township. To them were born five children, only two of whom are living: Sarah, now Mrs. John K. Long, and Joseph A., who was in the army throughout the war, and is at present in South Carolina. Mrs. McClure’s death occurred Aug. 14, 1848, and Mr. McClure next married Harriet N. Lyle, of Cross Creek, Washington county. Their only living child, Clarence, resides on the farm adjoining his father. Mr. McClure’s present wife is Sarah, daughter of James and Hannah (Mason) Kerr, of Washington county, and natives of Northampton county. There are but two of her parents’ children living: Rev. John Kerr, of Monongahela City, and Sarah, wife of William McClure, both of whom are members of the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City. Mr. McClure came to his farm when it was a forest, made-all the improvements, erected the present buildings, and has made of what was once a wild wood a delightful suburban residence, known as Evergreen farm.