My Genealogy Hound

Eli McClain, M. D., a young physician of acknowledged merit in Independence County, Ark., was born in Randolph County, this State, April 24, 1859, and is one of four surviving members of a family of eight children born to the marriage of Matthew McClain and Alcy Huffstedler, that marriage occurring August 7, 1851, in the State of Tennessee, where they were born, the former May 20, 1822, and the latter November 27, 1832. They moved to this State in the year of their marriage, procuring a place in Randolph County, where the father continued to till the soil up to his death, April 29, 1864. His widow married John S. Campbell, August 7, 1867. They, with all the children that have arrived at the years of accountability, are members of the Christian Church. The McClain children still surviving are: Margaret, born October 23, 1856; Martin, born January 14, 1861; Julia, born December 23, 1862, and Dr. Eli. At first, the latter attended school in his native county, but a strong desire to study medicine led him to enter the Medical College of St. Louis, Mo., in which institution he made progress sufficient to justify him in entering into active professional life, which he did in his native State, and has continued successfully in this calling up to the present date, and many can testify to his ability. He is an active member of the Christian Church, and is unmarried.