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Washington County >> 1909 Index History of Washington County, Iowa from the First White Settlements to
1908 M HON. SAMUEL M. McCLEERY submitted by Dick Barton Hon. Samuel M. McCleery, whose position in the public regard is indicated by the fact that he is now representing his district in the Iowa assembly, is also well known as an enterprising and successful business man, being extensively engaged in dealing in live stock. His entire life has been passed in the middle west, his birth having occurred in Sandwich, De Kalb county, Illinois, September 26, 1852. He is of Scotch lineage, his grandfather being John McCleery, a native of the land of hills and heather. Coming to America he became one of the early settlers of Wayne county, Ohio, where for many years he devoted his life to general farming and then passed away when more than eighty years of age. His wife was upwards of sixty years of age at the time of her demise. They had a family of nine children including Edward McCleery, who was born in Ohio and also made general farming his life work. He became an early settler of De Kalb county, Illinois, and was associated with its agricultural development for a long period, or until 1882, when he came to Iowa. He wedded Miss Jane Bell, also a native of Ohio as were her parents, both of whom died when well advanced in years. The death of Edward McCleery occurred in 1896 when he was seventy-seven years of age, and his wife passed away four months later at the age of sixty-five years. He was a member of the Seceder church, while his wife held membership in the United Brethren church. Their family numbered seven children, of whom four are now living: Ella, the widow of Charles Wickes, of San Francisco, California; Mary, the wife of James Walker, also of that city; Samuel M.; and Robert, of Cherokee, Iowa. Samuel M. McCleery was reared on the home farm in De Kalb county, working in the fields through the summer months, while throughout the school years he mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools. Later he attended McCorkle College of Wayne county, Ohio, and thus by a liberal education was well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then started out in business life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand. Anxious to engage in farming for his own benefit, he then rented land and continued to operate property belonging to others until his financial resources, resulting from careful expenditure and untiring industry, enabled him to purchase land. He came to Iowa in the winter of 1864-5 and has lived in this county continuously since, making his home in the city of Washington during the past twelve years. Here he largely gives his attention to dealing in live stock and the sound judgment and keen discrimination which he displays have made him very successful in this undertaking. He owns land both in this county and in Rooks county, Kansas. On the 13th of December,
1878, Mr. McCleery was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Lincoln, a
native of De Kalb county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles and Mary
Lincoln. They have one son, Howard L., who married Blanche Nicola, and
is a farmer of this county. Mr. McCleery is a valued representative
of Masonry, belonging to Washington Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M.: and
Cyrus Chapter, R. A. M. His wife is a member of the United Presbyterian
church. In his political views Mr. McCleery is a stalwart republican,
unfaltering in his advocacy of the party for he believes that the salient
elements in its platform are best calculated to conserve the interests
of good government. He was a member of the board of supervisors for
four years, was chairman of the board, and his capable services in that
connection led to his selection for higher honors and in 1898 he was
chosen by popular suffrage as the representative of his district in
the general; assembly. Such is the life history of one who is widely
and favorably known in Washington county and throughout this part of
the state. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has achieved
in that he started out in life empty- handed and has been dependent
entirely upon his own resources. His ability and energy, however, have
carried him into important business relations, making him one of the
prosperous residents of the county, while his substantial qualities
of manhood class him with its representative citizens. |