My Genealogy Hound

W. H. H. McCarty, an old settler and ex-county official, has been a resident of Morgan County, Mo., since May 15, 1867, at which time he came to Versailles, and until September of the same year was engaged in editing the Banner, a paper published in the interests of the Republican party. At that time he became proprietor of the paper, which he published and also edited until May, 1870, when he turned the paper over to others. During 1870 he was postmaster of the town, and then the Republican party nominated him for circuit and county clerk, and as he was not opposed by any Democratic candidate he was elected by a large vote, and ably filled the office for four years. He was chosen by liberal Republicans, and favored by Democrats on account of his views, being strongly in favor of re-enfranchising the ex-rebels. He was born in Cooper County, Mo., in 1841, and when thirteen years of age his father died, but he continued to remain on the farm two years longer, then went to Boonville and commenced learning the tinner’s trade, but after a short time gave this up and began learning the printer’s trade, at which he worked three years. In 1860 he went to Marshall, and from there to Denver, Colo., where he got hold of a paper telling about the fighting in Missouri. He then came home, and in February, 1863, enlisted at Boonville in Company F, Fifth Missouri State Militia, Federal service, and served until January 24, 1862, when he joined Company I, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and served until April 9, 1866, having participated in the battles of Tallahatchee, Campbellville, Franklin, Nashville, Macon and others, and ranking as first duty sergeant. After the war he resided in Boonville until the winter of 1866, when he located on a farm in Cooper County, where he remained some time, and then came to Versailles, as above stated. He now resides on a farm. He belongs to the G. A. R. and the A. F. & A. M., and he and wife, whom he married February 19, 1869, and whose maiden name was Mary A. Wier, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in Illinois, and is the mother of four children: Mary A., James A., Margaret Louisa and Narcissa J. Mr. McCarty’s parents, James and Mary A. (McFarland) McCarty, were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and in 1818 the father came to Cooper County, Mo., and was engaged in farming the remainder of his life. He was a man who took an active part in politics and public affairs, and was a strong Whig. He was commanding colonel and drill master of a company of militia during the early history of the State. He died in 1853, aged fifty-five years. His wife died in 1851, having been a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years.