My Genealogy Hound

JAMES W. MACLASKEY. The Maclaskey home is a fine residence, built in modern architectural style and standing on an eminence which commands a view of the surrounding country for miles in any direction. Forest trees surround the house, which stands in the midst of a valuable farm of nine hundred and fifty-nine acres, all the property of our subject and all acquired since he came to Kansas. A proof of the advantages which the state furnishes to her citizens cannot better be given than in the life records of such men as Mr. Maclaskey who have won fortune by earnest and well directed effort since locating within her borders.

As one of the leading citizens, early settlers and prominent agriculturists James W. Maclaskey certainly deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, August 14, 1849, a son of George and Barbara (Sweet) Maclaskey, both natives of New York, although they were married in Illinois. When a young man the father went to the Prairie state and there followed farming for many years. In 1881 he made a visit to Nebraska, where he was taken ill and died, at the age of eighty-one years. His widow still survives him and is now living with her sons in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years.

When James W. Maclaskey was seven years of age his parents removed to Adams County, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-seven. His education was obtained in the common schools. In connection with his brother he owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in Adams County. Ere leaving Illinois he was married, on the 4th of November, 1869, to Miss Sarah E. McCarl, a native of Pike County, that state, and a daughter of Samuel and Dorcas (Likes) McCarl, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. Mr. McCarl died at the age of sixty-eight years, but his wife is still living in Illinois, and has attained the age of seventy-one. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Alexander, of Oregon; Mrs. Bethana Myers; Mrs. Lizzie Maclaskey; Isaiah and Calvin McCarl, all of Illinois, and Mrs. Sarah E. Maclaskey, of Woodson County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Maclaskey began their domestic life in their native state but in 1880 came to Kansas. In 1876, prior to his coming to Kansas, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Woodson County, nineteen miles northwest of Yates Center, and since that time he has added to his possessions until he now is owner of the valuable property described above. Recently he removed his residence to a place two miles north of where he so long resided. His farm is one of the most desirable in this portion of the county. He is engaged in stock-raising and has some very fine grades of shorthorn and Hereford cattle, which find a ready sale on the market. He had only a team and wagon at the time of his marriage, and he has made practically all that he has since coming to Kansas. He is now one of the wealthy farmers of the community and his property is a monument to his enterprise and thrift.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. McClaskey has been blessed with eight children, namely: William L., now a stenographer in St. Louis, Missouri; Lizzie A., at home; Alford, who is living in Gridley, Kansas; Charles A., who is married and resides in Woodson county; James A. and Samuel R., who are with their parents, and George W., who died October 16, 1884, at the age of ten years and seven months, and Floyd E., the youngest at home. In his political views Mr. Maclaskey is a Democrat. He has filled the office of trustee of his township and is now serving as its treasurer, proving a competent and faithful officer. A quarter of a century has passed since he came to Kansas, and through the entire period he has so lived as to win the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His success has been worthily won along the lines of honorable effort so that the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity, and his upright example and successful career should serve as a source of inspiration to others.