My Genealogy Hound

ELIHU B. McGUIRE is the efficient and popular Mayor of Sparta, and a man whose business ability and sterling worth have placed him among the leading citizens of Randolph County. He well deserves representation in her history, and it is with pleasure that we present his record to our readers. The family is of Irish origin. His grandfather, John McGuire, was born on the Emerald Isle, and on leaving that country located in South Carolina. He served in the War of 1812.

Henry L. McGuire, the father of our subject, was born in 1805 in the Chester District of South Carolina, where he lived until 1832. Thence, with only fifty cents in his possession, he started north, and arriving in Illinois, located in Washington County. In 1866 he came to Sparta, where his death occurred in 1875. By occupation a farmer, he entered a small tract of land in Washington County, and to this he added from time to time as his financial resources were increased, until he had about five hundred acres. On removing to Sparta, he purchased a house and lot and retired from active business. In politics he was a Republican, and for a long period was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Elder for a number of years. Later, however, he joined the United Presbyterian Church. His school privileges were very limited, yet he became well informed, for he read extensively, and in business acquired a good commercial education.

Henry McGuire was twice married. He wedded Eliza Campbell, by whom he had three children: Jane Matilda, wife of Hugh Matthews, a successful farmer of Jordan’s Grove; Nancy T., wife of S. W. McKelvey, who is represented elsewhere; and Eliza, deceased. His first wife having died, in 1837 Mr. McGuire wedded Mary Lyons, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 1, 1803, and when two years of age was brought to America by her father, James Lyons, also a native of County Antrim. In 1805, Mr. Lyons emigrated with his family to South Carolina. While crossing the Atlantic, one of the children, a babe of six months, died. In 1833 the family removed to southern Illinois, settling on Elkhorn Prairie. Their nearest trading post was Sparta, fourteen miles away. Mrs. McGuire was the eldest of a large family. She was full of energy and determination, was industrious, frugal and hopeful, and was a worthy example for the early settlers. She had six children, but only John and Elihu survive her. She also leaves two brothers and a sister: John R., of Marissa; Robert, of Houston; and Mrs. Jeff Rainey, of Belleville.

To those who knew Mrs. McGuire best she was very dear, and no death in this community has been more widely or deeply mourned. She brought happiness to those around her, for her life was ever devoted to the interests of others. From early youth she was a member of the church, but for many years she was unable to attend services, yet she always maintained her deep interest in religious matters. In her last years she many times expressed herself as ready and willing to go to the home beyond, and on the 20th of September, 1893, she passed away, at the advanced age of ninety years. Surely the world is better for her having lived.

Elihu B. McGuire was born in Washington County, Ill., in 1844, and with the family came to Randolph County. He continued with his parents until separated from them by death, caring for them in their declining years and supplying them with all the comforts he could command. His business interests have been largely in the line of land speculating, although for a number of years he was engaged in the breeding of horses and mules with Mr. McConachie. He is President of the Merchants’ Exchange Bank, which was organized in 1892, with a capital of $25,000. He is a stockholder in the building and loan association, a Director of the Sparta Gas Company, and Vice-President of the Allen Improvement Company. He is indeed prominent in business circles, and by his connection therewith has aided materially in the growth and upbuilding of the city.

In politics, Mr. McGuire is a Democrat, and in 1888 was elected Chairman of the Central Committee. In 1893, he was elected Mayor of Sparta, which position he is now creditably and acceptably filling. His philanthropic and generous nature has been made manifest in the aid he has given to a number of homeless children toward securing their educations. His life has been well and worthily passed, and he is numbered among the most valued and honored citizens of Randolph County.