GEORGE CLINTON McCLURE, the subject of our sketch, was born in Petersburg, Indiana, January 27, 1858, and is a man who has met with success in his journey through life chiefly because of his undaunted courage in over-coming obstacles and because of his natural ability.
Mr. McClure's father, H. L. McClure, is at the present writing a resident of West Point, Calhoun County. He moved from Indiana to Missouri in 1866, settling first at Hannibal, then at Palmyra, where he remained six years. He once more returned to Hannibal and established a store in that place, being for three years engaged in the business there. He is at present engaged at the carpenter's trade and fishing.
Our subject was eight years old when his parents moved to Missouri and at the early age of twelve he commenced to earn a livelihood for himself, working for his board and clothes five years. He worked on a farm up to his twentieth birthday, at which date he commenced fishing in the Illinois River and later in the Mississippi River. He has made a great success of this business, being well supplied with nets, lines, boats and everything essential to the carrying out of a large business in the fishing line. St. Louis is the principal market for the fish he catches. In 1886 he purchased his present residence which is a commodious frame house situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River.
Mr. McClure was married in 1881 to Miss Rosa Seidler, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and a daughter of John Seidler. Her father was a resident of St. Louis for many years, and in that city followed the trade of a ship carpenter. On account of ill health he moved to a farm in Calhoun County, where he died in 1871. He married Miss Elizabeth Roth, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Roth. She was married the second time to Peter Wildershutz, and makes her home in Point Precinct. Of her first marriage were born seven children, viz: Henry; Annie; Rosa (Mrs. McClure); William; John; Barney and Julia. And of her second marriage was born one son, — Edward.
Our subject and his wife are devout members of the Lutheran Church and endeavor by every possible means to advance the interests of the community in which they reside. They have many friends and are comfortably fixed in life and well prepared to enjoy the declining years of their lives. They are the parents of one child — Arthur Clinton. As time rolls on we see each day striking illustrations of the numerous and varied occupations by which men and women are seeking to secure for themselves both fame and fortune. It is undoubtedly true that industrious habits united to strict integrity of purpose and kindness of heart cannot fail to achieve good results in the end.
Extracted 23 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, page 670
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