Among the citizens of South Otter township none is more deserving of
confidence and respect than William H. McMahan. His life is a practical
demonstration of the possibilities in Illinois awaiting ambitious young
men who have the courage and persistence to apply themselves with the
expectation as the years pass, of substantial returns. He was born in
Greene county, Illinois, October 5, 1847, a son of Henry and Louisa
(Ballard) McMahan, the former of whom was born in Illinois and the
latter in Tennessee. He was also a grandson of Robert McMahan, one of
the pioneers of this state. The McMahan family was killed by Indians in
Madison county, this event being one of the tragic occurrences in the
early history of Illinois.
William H. McMahan possessed
advantages of preliminary training in the district schools of Greene
county and when not busy with his studies. assisted in work upon the
home farm. In 1863 he became a member of Captain Young’s company of the
state militia and in 1865, having arrived at the age of eighteen years,
he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
continuing with this regiment until the close of the war. After
receiving his honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois, he returned
home and in 1866 began farming in Scott county. In 1871 he came to
Macoupin county and engaged in farming in South Palmyra township, where
he continued for ten years. He then moved to the place which he has
since occupied, in South Otter township. He has through life been highly
energetic and efficient in his business and, therefore, enjoys the
rewards which are the result of wisely applied effort.
On
October 23, 1866, Mr. McMahan was married in Scott county to Miss Addie
Curtis, a native of the same county and a daughter of James F. and Nancy
(Truesdale) Curtis, both of whom were born in Virginia. She is a
granddaughter of Salathial Curtis and John Truesdale, both of whom were
also born in Virginia. Mr. Truesdale was an early settler of Illinois
and assisted against the Indians at the time of the Black Hawk war.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McMahan, namely: Ira Otis,
born March 7, 1868, was married October 9, 1895, to Grace E. Thornburg,
and died January 18, 1906, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving a
wife and one son, Burton, who since his death have made their home in
California with Mrs. McMahon’s parents; Lena, who married W. L. Morgan,
of South Otter township, and has three children; Anna, who is the wife
of H. M. Groves, of Edwardsville, and the mother of two children;
Nannie, who married Samuel Hayes, of North Otter township, and has two
children; Henry A., who lives in St. Louis; Harvey Curtis, of
Carlinville; Herman, who married Nellie Lancaster and resides at
Nilwood; and Maud, who is the wife of Chester Ohmart, of Girard, and has
one child.
Upon reaching the age of maturity Mr. McMahan gave
his support to the republican party and has never seen any reason to
change his political affiliation. He has served as school director but
never in any other public office, preferring to concentrate his energies
upon his business. His religious views are indicated by membership in
the Christian church of which he is a deacon. He was an active member of
the Grange and is now identified with Peach Tree Lodge, No. 633, M. W.
A., and is an earnest supporter of the principles of this order. As a
soldier of the Civil war he is connected with Luke Mayfield Post, No.
516, G. A. R., and is very acceptably filling the office of junior
commander of that organization. He is among the youngest of the
survivors of the Civil war and his children and descendants may ever
regard with pride the part he took in defending a cause which is
regarded by all the world as one of the noblest recorded in human
history.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 707-708.
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