Biography - JAMES E. McCLURE

James E. McClure, editor and publisher of the Carlinville Democrat and president of the board of commissioners of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, is a native of Carlinville township and has been a lifelong resident of Macoupin county. He was born on a farm three and one-half miles southeast of Carlinville, August 11, 1867, and is a son of James A. and Ellen (Collins) McClure. The father was a native of Bedford county, Tennessee, and the mother of Ohio, the former having been born April 12, 1820, and the latter November 28, 1833. They were the parents of five children: Charles, colonel of the Thirtieth United States Infantry of San Francisco, California; Frank, a twin brother of Charles, who is now living at Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Milton, of Beardstown, Illinois; James E., of this review ; and Edmonia, who is the wife of Jesse Peebles, exmayor of Carlinville.

The father of our subject came to Illinois with his parents at the age of fourteen years. After living for one year at Carrollton, Greene county, the family arrived in Carlinville township, Macoupin county, where the son grew to maturity on his father’s farm. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1883 and then retired at Carlinville, living in this place until his death, which occurred in March, 1901, he being then eighty-one years of age. His wife died in March, 1903, in her seventieth year. They were both active members of the Presbyterian church. The father recognized the value of education and willingly made sacrifices in order that his children might possess the best advantages available for mental training. He was a substantial, representative citizen, who set an example of industry and perseverance well worthy of imitation.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was James A. McClure. He was born in Virginia and was educated for the ministry, but did not pursue that calling, preferring the mercantile business, which he followed at Shelbyville, Tennessee. In 1834 he and his wife and their twelve children started for Illinois by boat down the Kentucky river to Louisville and thence by steamer to Columbiana, Greene county, and in 1835 he entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land in Macoupin county. He continued on his farm until 1844, when his wife died. He then took up his residence at Washington, D. C., having been appointed clerk in the federal land office, which position he held until his death, in 1849. H e was prominent in early affairs of Macoupin county and served as assessor of the county one term and as census taker in 1840. The maiden name of his wife was Frances Dickerson.

Mr. McClure of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm until he arrived at the age of sixteen. He attended the district schools and upon the removal of his parents to Carlinville in 1883 entered Blackburn University, from which he was graduated in 1887. He taught school for three years at Shipman and then began reading law in the office of his brother Milton at Beardistown, continuing assiduously at the study for two years. In 1893 he was admitted to the Illinois bar upon examination, but soon thereafter accepted the principalship of the schools at Brighton. In 1894 he was nominated on the republican ticket for county superintendent of schools and was elected the following November. He filled the office for four years with general acceptance to teachers and patrons of the schools and on the last day of his service became deputy collector of internal revenue in the eighth Illinois district. He continued in that capacity until July 1, 1899, when he resigned to become a member of the law firm of Peebles, McClure & Peebles. In September, 1901, he retired from the firm to take charge of the Carlinville Democrat, a position which he has ever since held. This paper was established in 1856 and is one of the leading republican organs of this section, its influence having been largely increased under the able management of Mr. McClure. In April, 1901, Mr. McClure was appointed by Governor Richard Yates as commissioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary. This position he filled until July 1, 1903, when he resigned to accept appointment as a judge of the Illinois state court of claims. On July 1, 1904, he was again appointed a commissioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary and he now occupies that office. For five years past he has been president of the board and in all his acts he has shown a discrimination and a judgment that reflect upon him and his associates the highest credit.

On the 30th of September, 1897, Mr. McClure was married to Miss E. Florence Parker, a native of Kane, Greene county, Illinois, and a daughter of Henry L. and Hattie E. (King) Parker. To this union two children have been born: Harriet, aged eleven years; and Dorothy, who is one year old. Mr. McClure is not identified with any religious denomination, but his wife is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Mount Nebo Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. P.; the Court of Honor, and Carlinville Lodge, No. 125, M. W. A. He has through life taken an active interest in the promotion of education and as a wide-awake and progressive citizen has contributed his share toward the development of the county and state. He is in hearty sympathy with all movements that aim to improve the character of the individual or to elevate the standard of society. An acknowledged leader in the community, his record has measured up to the highest standard of manhood and no man is more deeply respected by thinking people of Macoupin county than the gentleman whose record is here briefly presented.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 130-132.