My Genealogy Hound

McQUERREY, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 9-15, P.O. Greenfield, was born in Garrett County, Ky., June 28, 1841; born of Joseph and Rachel McQuerrey; had very poor advantages in his youth. At the age of sixteen he ran away from home in company with William Stanton, of Carrollton and came to this county on foot; was at one time four days on the road and had but one meal in the time, and from Alton to Carrollton without anything to eat; he remained there two years; helped to burn the brick now in Pierson’s bank building; returned to Kentucky a short time before the breaking out of the war; though of Southern birth, yet he was loyal to the Union cause, and at the outbreak of the war enlisted in the Home Guards, and was in the twelve month’s service, and was on duty at Cumberland Gap; then went into the 7th Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, and was in all the battles that the regiment participated in, and was always at the front; had two brothers in service with him; all were fortunate and returned home in possession of life and limb; in the Fall of 1866, he returned to this county, and began work in good earnest; on Dec. 29, 1866, he was married to Sarah J. Cooley, born in Kentucky, Aug. 5, 1851. They have five children: Oscar, born Aug. 11, 1868; Avery, born Feb. 7, 1870; Effie, born Oct. 21, 1871; Neice, born April 17, 1874; Golden, born Feb. 21, 1876. When he began renting, had nothing but his team and willing hands; soon bought 22 acres of land; two years afterward bought 40 more; subsequently bought 80 acres of Wm. Cannedy, then 40 acres of S. Lemasters, and March 2, 1877, bought the Jackson farm, Sec. 9, and now has 309 acres of land in all. This he has attained by his own industry, and good management.