My Genealogy Hound

William L. McGuire, farmer, Batesville. The name that heads this sketch is one long and worthily identified with Independence County, and, indeed, no history of this immediate vicinity would be complete which failed to make proper mention of Mr. McGuire. Originally from St. Louis County, Mo., his birth occurred near the city proper now, on the 5th of September, 1840. His father, Elam S. McGuire, was a native of North Carolina, but emigrated to Missouri while single, and was married in St. Charles County, of that State, to Miss Catherine E. Lewis, who was a native of Virginia, but who had emigrated to Missouri with her parents. They moved to St. Louis County a short time afterwards, and located near St. Louis, where he followed tilling the soil for one year. He lived in a little cabin, cut wood and hauled it to St. Louis. In 1841 he moved to Independence County, Ark., and stopped in Batesville, where subsequently he and his brother, William L., engaged in farming in what is now Greenbriar Township. They farmed in partnership for a number of years. He then moved to Batesville and carried on the drug business until about 1856, when he bought and moved upon the Lee farm, adjoining his flouring-mill property, a mile and a half northeast of the town, which he had purchased three or four years before, and which farm, with a part of the mill property (210 acres, 100 under cultivation), is owned and cultivated by his heirs. He there remained until his demise in December, 1858. The mother died in December, 1888. He and his wife, being faithful Christians, members of the Presbyterian Church, were among the few to organize a Presbyterian Church in Batesville, in 1849. He was elected and ordained a ruling elder. They gave a hearty, cheerful, helping hand to all religious, educational and benevolent efforts and enterprises in the community. They were the parents of seven children —all living: William L., Charles E., Thomas W., Walter S., John W., Elam A., and Laura B. The father was postmaster at Batesville through one administration (Taylor and Filmore’s) and was also school commissioner. He was a Whig in politics, and was also a Know-Knowing. He was a prominent Mason. William L. McGuire was but one year old when he came to this county, and here he received a good, thorough education. He attended the Literary and Military Institute in St. Louis County, Mo., for some time, and was there at the time of the death of his father. He then came home and there remained. His father was a man who believed in making his boys useful, and required their assistance in his business. There the son first learned in some degree the ways and forms of business — drug store and post office, and further on, milling, running of machinery, etc. When his father sold out his drugs and moved on the farm, he being the oldest, naturally became the leader in carrying out the directions of his father until his death, when he became more the manager on the farm, on which he has continued, with the exception of two years in the employ of his uncle, E. R. McGuire, and cousin, J. C. McGuire, in Oil Trough Bottom, this county, in charge of a gin and mill; and one year in the employ of his aunt, Mrs. S. S. Watson, St. Charles County, Mo. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Dobbins’ Regiment and served through the war. He was wounded twice at LaGrange, Ark., by a pistol shot, once in the right leg and once in the shoulder. He was in a great many hard skirmishes and witnessed many hardships.