My Genealogy Hound

William C. McIlroy is a native of this county, and was born March 25, 1842. His father, Robert McIlroy, was born in North Carolina, reared in East Tennessee, and there married Phoebe Stokes,, also a native of North Carolina. In 1840 he left Tennessee and came to Madison County, Ark., but two years later removed to Franklin County, locating upon the farm where our subject now lives. He died September 10, 1877, but his wife is still living. William C. grew to manhood upon his present farm, and in 1862 joined Gordon’s regiment of cavalry, in which he served until paroled at Clarksville in June, 1865. He participated in numerous skirmishes, and was in the fight at Mark’s Mills and Prairie De Hand. June 23, 1861, he married Mary C. Hamm, a native of this county, and daughter of John Hamm, formerly of Tennessee. Since the war Mr. McIlroy has farmed uninterruptedly upon the old homestead, which he has improved to a great extent. He owns 250 acres of land, about 110 being devoted to farming and fruit growing. In 1886 Mr. McIlroy was elected justice of the peace, which office he filled satisfactorily one term. He is a Royal Arch Mason, has been master of his lodge eleven years, and has filled every position in the Blue Lodge. He is the recording steward of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which his wife also belongs. They are the parents of ten children, names as follows: Robert L., Walter A., Gertrude L., James H., Lillian D., John R., George S., Charles C., Phoebe and William E., all of whom are unmarried and live at home.