My Genealogy Hound

H. M. McGaughey. Among the farmers of prominence of Benton County, Ark., deserving of mention is Mr. McGaughey, who was born in Franklin County, Ind., and is the youngest of nine children—five living—born to George and Stella (Byfleld) McGaughey, The parents were born in the “Buckeye State” in 1796 and 1798, respectively, and were there married. They afterward became residents of Indiana, and in 1856 moved to Minnesota, where the mother died three years later. The father died in Arkansas in 1883, H. M. McGaughey remained in his native State until nineteen years of age, when he removed with his parents to Minnesota, and was a resident of Goodhue County for thirteen years. He then moved to Cottonwood County, and assisted in its organization and was chosen its first treasurer. He was the second superintendent of public instruction, and the first legal clerk of the court. In 1878 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, and was chairman of that body for one year. He also held the office of justice of the peace nearly all the time he resided in the county. He was the owner of a fine farm, but after five years, during which his crops were destroyed by grasshoppers, and two seasons unfavorable to agriculture, he determined to seek new fields for his labors, and in 1881 he came to Arkansas, purchased a farm near Rogers, and here has since resided. He also owns some valuable town property. While in Minnesota (1872) he was married to Miss E. A. Shafer, who was born in Indiana in 1852, and by her is the father of two children: Frank and Cora. In 1861 Mr. McGaughey joined Company E, Third Minnesota Infantry; was with the company in the South and through Sibley’s first campaign against the Indians in Minnesota, the Third being the first troops on the ground after the outbreak in 1882, and claims the honor of giving the Indians their first defeat, which was at Wood Lake. He was with the regiment through the siege of Vicksburg; was wounded at Helena, Ark., August 7, and remained in hospital till December, when he joined his regiment at Little Rock, Ark. Was on detached service there about six months, when he accepted a commission as first lieutenant Company B, One Hundred and Twelfth United States Infantry. Received his final discharge on account of disability February 18, 1865. He served under Mitchell, Buell, Sibley, Sherman and Steele, and was in a number of hotly contested battles and numerous skirmishes. Our subject is a pronounced Republican in political views, and in religion an Agnostic.