HOMER C. McHARRY
Page 566
HOMER C. McHARRY
Page 566
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HOMER C. McHARRY. Situated on section 36, Pennsylvania Township, lies one of the most attractive rural homes in Mason County. The residence combines all the advantages to be derived from existence in to country with those usually supposed to be confined to the city, It is a three-story structure, elegantly furnished and containing all the modern improvements. Its beauty is still further enhanced by the environments. In front, extending for a distance of one-half mile, is a row or ornamental shade trees, while the well-kept hedge fences prove the thrift of the owner. This farm has been the home of Mr. McHarry since 1869. His first purchase consisted of two hundred and forty acres, to which he has added until he now owns four hundred acres in the home farm and in addition has a controlling interest in ten hundred acres in his father's estate. The improvements now noticeable on his place have been introduced by himself and through his efforts the raw prairie has been transformed into a fertile tract. The residence and barn were erected in 1893. The latter is about 100x60 feet in dimensions, and is two stories in height with a basement containing stabling room for about forty head of horses. Mr. McHarry is of direct Irish descent, his father, Hugh, having been born on the Emerald Isle in 1806. Thence he emigrated to America in the spring of 1826, and after landing in Quebec proceeded to New York, where he made a brief sojourn. He left that city with seventy-five cents for his sole possession. And arriving in Cleveland, Ohio, after having worked his way there, he was employed for four years as a foremen on the canal between Cleveland and Portsmouth. In the spring of 1830 he went to Louisville, Ky., near which point he was for four years engaged as superintendent of construction of a canal. Later he took chare of a heavy milling plant. In 1823 Hugh McHarry came to Illinois and settled in Beardstown, Cass County, where he bought a mill and embarked in business. The mill was purchased very cheap at a sheriff's sale, and he continued it successfully until the spring of 1845, when he sold out, and coming to Mason County bought a sawmill in Quiver Township. This business he followed, in connection with the management of his flour mill. Until 1882, when he retired. He was a man of more than ordinary sagacity and was uniformly successful in his enterprises. The wagon bridge across the Illinois River at Havana was constructed and for some time owned by him, but later was deeded to the city of Havana. His death occurred in the fall of 1890. The family of Hugh McHarry consisted of six children now living, namely: John, who resides on the old homestead in Quiver Township; Hugh, a resident of Mason City; Homer C.; William; Mrs. Josephine Dexter, of Topeka, Ill.; and Mrs. J. J. Donaldson, of Havana, Ill. The subject of this notice was born in Corydon, Ind., in 1834, and remained at home assisting his father until December, 1864. He then married Miss Rebecca Fullerton, of Youngstown, Ohio, and the daughter of James and Mary Fullerton, natives of Pennsylvania. As above stated, Mr. McHarry came to his present farm in 1869, and here he engaged in raising grain and stock until 1891, when he retired from active business and gave the management of the home place into the hands of his sons, Frank W. and Charles. They have at present four hundred acres under cultivation, and devote considerable attention to stock-raising, having at this writing (1894) seventy-five head of cattle, ninety head of sheep, one hundred and twenty-five hogs and twenty fine Norman horses. There is also an orchard on the place containing different varieties of fruit trees. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McHarry, three in number, are Willis, Charles and Lena, all of whom are well educated and popular among the young people of the vicinity. Charles completed the course in the Jacksonville Business College and taught school for one year, since which time he has engaged in farming. Miss Lena is an accomplished young lady, and finished her education in the Jacksonville Female Seminary. Politically Mr. McHarry works in the ranks of the Republican party, and upon that ticket has been elected to various local offices. Fir ten years he has served as Township Treasurer, for three years as Supervisor and has also filled the positions of Highway Commissioner and School Director. |