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1901 Biography - Alexander McCann

Ireland has contributed its full share toward the development of the great state of Missouri, which is justly proud of the Irish element in its citizenship. Among the progressive farmers of Jasper township, Jasper county, not many are held in higher regard than Alexander McCann, who lives within the borders of section 3 and is the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable farming land. This progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen was born in county Down, Ireland, and at the age of eleven years was brought to America by his parents, James and Jane (Pottor) McCann, who located at Indianapolis, Indiana. About two years later they removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, where they remained until 1869, when they located in Jasper county, Missouri, where Mr. McCann died in his eighty-seventh year, and Mrs. McCann at about the age of seventy-two years. This worthy couple were the parents of three children, one of whom died at the age of three years, while another, Anna J., is the wife of William Dick, of Duval township, Jasper county.

Alexander McCann was eleven years old when his parents came to America. He lived with them in Indianapolis and in Illinois, and in 1871 he located in Duval township, whence eventually he removed to Jasper township. His career has been a very successful one and, as has been stated, his real-estate holding in Duval and Jasper townships aggregate seven hundred acres. He rents much of his land and devotes his home place to general farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and, taking a deep interest in Sunday-school work, is superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the organization with which he affiliates. Politically he is a Republican and has always been active in public affairs. While he has not been an office seeker he has been prevailed upon to accept some places of public responsibility and has ably filled the offices of road commissioner and justice of the peace.

Mr. McCann married Agnes Orr, a native of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1879. A lover of home and home interests, he holds close to his heart the welfare of his fellow townsmen, and all measures tending to enhance the prosperity of Jasper township have always received his unqualified support. Leading men of the township testify that his administration of the office of justice of the peace was in every way admirable, his decisions having been uniformly fair and honest, while his comprehensive knowledge of business enabled him to adjudicate equitably in all matters of dispute between his townsmen. His interest in good roads made him a model road commissioner, and as a citizen, a church member and a public official he has always acquitted himself admirably and won the respect of all who have known him.


Contributed 2022 Oct 24 by Aimee Edgeworth, extracted from The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri, by Malcolm G. McGregor, published in 1901, pages 504-505.


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