My Genealogy Hound

DAVID A. McCLUNG, retired farmer; P. O. Troy. David A. McClung is a thoroughbred son of Miami Co., having been born upon the spot upon which he now resides, Aug. 15, 1826, and with the exception of three years, has never left the loved spot; he was the youngest son of David and Nancy McClung, who were married in Kentucky April 12, 1808; their wedding tour was a horseback ride from Lexington to Troy; it was during the spring freshets, and the creeks and rivers were swollen with the heavy rains; upon their arrival opposite the site of Troy, they found the river running high, and, as there was no bridge, they were obliged to swim their horses across at a point now called “Coe’s Ford;” Indians were then very plentiful, and not very friendly. During the month of July, 1812, a Mr. Gerard, Mr. Dilbone and wife were murdered. Previous to this time, there had been hostilities brewing, and nearly all the able-bodied men were on the frontier under arms; it so happened that Mr. McClung was then away; his wife with three small children and a neighbor girl, Nancy Telford, were left alone. Aaron Tullis brought word in the evening that the Indians were killing and scalping everybody, and that they must get to the block-house in Troy as soon, and in the best way they could, while he went to warn other settlers; they started at once, Mrs. McClung, with a 3-weeks old babe in her arms, leading another child 2 years old by the hand, with Nancy and Cloyd, 7 years old, carrying the trusty rifle, they proceeded on their way; fearing to take the bridle path that led direct to Troy, they made a detour to the right through the woods, and after wandering about for some time without reaching their destination, sat down upon a log to await the moon’s rising; as they were expected at the block-house, but came not, three men were sent out to hunt them; Mrs. McClung could hear them halloo, but, fearing they were Indians, gave no answer; finally her name was called, when she replied, help came, and they arrived at the block-house at almost day break. We can hardly conceive that the beautiful plain between Ridge avenue and Troy, ever could have been such a mass of tangled brush that persons would get lost in coming such a short distance; there were in the block-house about eighty persons that had fled there for protection; the next day, Mrs. McClung and her babies went to Judge Barbee’s house and stayed a few days, or until the supposed danger was past; three children are now living of the McClung family; the father dying in 1841, and the mother in 1862; she was 80 years old, and her husband 65. By the death of his father, David, the subject of this sketch, became heir of a portion of the home farm, and by successive purchases has added to it until he is now the owner of more than 300 acres of land; through his enterprise, aided by that of his two brothers, the Troy Hydraulic was established; this enterprise will at no distant day be of vast importance to the business interests of the city; the brothers were also the moving spirits in the Miami Co. Agricultural Board, and the first meeting was held on their grounds; rain falling, the exhibition was continued in their barn. David A. McClung was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth T. Harker Jan. 4, 1853, Rev. David Rice officiating; they have four children living— Mary C., the eldest daughter, is now wife of Henry Davis, of Kokomo, Ind.; the other three, John C. and his two sisters, Emma and Louisa, live with their parents; John C., has finished his studies, and the two daughters are advancing rapidly; Emma now having been two years in the high school; the whole family are great readers, and have access to a fine library; the children are rapidly becoming accomplished musicians, being good vocalists as well. Mr. McClung votes a straight Republican ticket, and has the satisfaction of living in a splendid house, surrounded by every comfort.