My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Jonathan M. McGuire is worthy of being classed among the substantial residents of Randolph County, Ark. He was born in Scott County, Va., May 27, 1823, and is a son of John B. and Nancy (King) McGuire, who were also Virginians, the father a farmer and blacksmith by occupation, who after coming to Randolph County, Ark., in 1858, continued to follow these occupations until his death, which occurred in 1864, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a Mason, a Democrat politically, and the last forty years of his life was an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was an eloquent expounder of the Christian faith. His wife, who was also an earnest member of that church, died in 1867. The following are the surviving members of their nine children: J. M., whose name heads this sketch; J. F., a farmer, residing in St. Clair County, Mo.; T. B., a practicing physician, of Kansas, and David F., a farmer, of Ripley County, Mo. Dr. Jonathan M. McGuire received a limited education in youth, and at the age of nineteen years began the battle of life for himself, and from 1824 to 1859 was engaged in husbandry in Middle Tennessee. At the latter date he moved to Arkansas, and located on his present farm of 160 acres, which is well improved, with good buildings and orchard. In addition to his farm work he is a practicing physician, and is well and favorably known throughout Northeast Arkansas, having followed this profession for the past thirty years. He has held the office of district commissioner for ten years, and is an active supporter of all worthy movements in his community. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, for President, and his last for his grandson, Benjamin F. Harrison. He was married on the 13th of October, 1841, his wife being a native of Middle Tennessee. She died in 1863, having borne the following children: James, who died in Arkansas, at the age of forty years; Nancy A. (Miller) who also died in Arkansas, at the age of twenty-six years; Mary (Shoemaker), who died in this State, at the age of twenty-two years; Nebraska Delaney, who died in Arkansas, when twenty years of age, and Thomas Cary, who is married, a farmer, and resides in Clay County, Ark. Mr. McGuire was married to his second wife April 22, 1865, she being a Mrs. A. A. Friar, of Como County, Miss., who died in January, 1882, having borne two children: America Jane, who was born in 1865, and died when six months old, and J. B., who was born in January, 1868, and is now married to Emeline Odum, of Missouri.