Biography - Nathaniel McCluer
NATHANIEL BRANTON McCLUER. A man who is widely known in Shelby County being
a large and successful farmer and stockman who has done much toward introducing
an improved grade of stock into this State and to the West generally, is he
whose name is at the head of this sketch, he is a progressive and
public-spirited man whose tendencies are all towards an elevating influence,
both in business relations and in his domestic life. Mr. McCluer resides on his
fine farm on section 8, of Rural Township. His home is one of the most pleasant
places in the county and he has spared nothing that money could procure, to make
it an ideal place of residence. He also owns land in section 5. His residence in
the county dates from 1865.
The original of our sketch was born in Darke County, Ohio, December 29, 1829,
and is a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Wilt) McCluer both natives of Virginia
and each of whom, with their respective families, removed to Ohio at an early
day. Samuel McCluer, the grandfather of our subject settled in Darke County in
1812, and was one of the first settlers there. The maternal grandparents of our
subject, settled in the same county about 1814. They made their home in the
midst of the forest, clearing out as time and opportunity permitted, a space
around the log cabin which constituted their home.
Brought up as young people together, the parents of our subject early recognized
an affinity and determined to make the journey of life together. Their marriage
took place in Darke County, where they resided the remainder of their lives,
upon the farm where they settled at an early day. The father lived to number
four-score years. The mother passed away at the aye of sixty-six years. They
were the parents of six children whose names are as follows: Melinda, Samuel,
George, John, Catherine and our subject. Melinda was twice married and died in
her native State; Samuel resides in Darke County, Ohio, where his brother George
died; John lives in Huntington County, Ind.; Catherine married and died in
Southern Illinois. He of whom we write is the youngest of the family. He was
reared on the farm and received his education in the district school. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company B of One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, whose men
enlisted for one hundred days, but who served for five months. While they were
not participants in any of the decisive battles, they took part in a number of
skirmishes.
In 1865, Mr. McCluer was united in marriage to Melinda Almonrode. She was born
in Preble County, Ohio, September 20, 1842, and was a daughter of John and Mary
(Swane) Almonrode. Shortly after their marriage our subject and his bride came
to this State and purchased two hundred acres, which was the nucleus of his
present farm. At the time he settled here, his place was but little improved,
but he took up the calling of farming with such vim, energy and intelligent
management, that he is now the owner of nearly one thousand acres of land which
is highly productive and which is dotted over with stock of the finest grade. He
has been very successful in his agricultural career.
Mrs. McCluer is an intelligent and capable woman. She presides over the
beautiful home which her husband has made with an ease and dignity that only
native refinement and courtesy can give. Although she is endowed with more than
ordinary ability, she has gladly given herself up to love's sweet servitude, her
great pleasure being in insuring the domestic comfort of her husband and the
rearing and educating of her children. She has sought to combine cultivation of
mind and body, realizing that one with weak physical constitution and endowed
with fine mental faculities has not the same chance in this world, whose motto
seems to be the survival of the fittest, as one who is equally endowed with both
a strong physical and intellectual capacity. Two of the little ones were taken
from their parents at a tender age. Four of the children are still living, and
filled with vitality and brimming with the intensity for which American children
are conspicuous, they are an interesting quartette. Their names are Elmer, John,
Charles and Rose E. The beautiful home within which the McCluer family live is
surrounded by a large lawn which is kept of velvet smoothness by being
frequently gone over with a lawn-mower. His home is handsomely furnished and the
genial host and hostess hospitably entertain the many people who are attracted
hither socially or by business.
Extracted 29 May 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 269-270.
