John McQuillan

John McQuillan, an enterprising farmer residing on section 17, township 3, range 8 west, Monroe County, was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 2, 1820, and is a son of Edward McQuillan, a native of the North of Ireland, who in early life emigrated to this country, and died in Brown County, Ohio. When John was quite a small lad his parents removed to Cincinnati, and a few years later to Brown County. He was a youth of ten when his father died, and his mother died of the cholera in 1832. He was thus left an orphan at the age of twelve years, and then went o live with the eldest brother and sister, with whom he continued until sixteen years of age. At that time he went to Cincinnati, and began serving an apprenticeship to the butcher's trade under Henry Cottom. Two years were spent in that city, after which his employer purchased a farm in Monroe County, Ill., three miles west of Red Bud, and our subject accompanied him to the west in 1839, continuing in his service for two years and a half.

In 1841, Mr. McQuillan went to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade, and followed other pursuits whereby he might earn an honest living. He continued in that city until 1849, since which time he has lived in Monroe County. In 1847, he purchased his present farm of James Eckels, paying $1,000 for one hundred and twenty acres. A log house was the only improvement upon the place, which was largely covered with brush, but he at once began to clear and develop the land, and has made additional purchases from time to time until be now owns twelve hundred acres in one body. He also has two hundred acres in St. Clair County.

On the 5th of September, 1842, Mr. McQuillan married Miss Mary Thompson, daughter of Robert Thompson, who was born in England, and there spent his entire life. His daughter came to America in 1840 with her mother, two brothers and a sister, and located in St. Louis. Her death occurred July 28, 1885, and was widely mourned. Seven children were born of that union, of who five are still living: Edward, who is farming in St. Clair County; Elizabeth, wife of Louis Gregson, of Monroe County; John who is engaged in merchandising in Red Bud; Mary, wife of Theodore Klinkhardt, a resident farmer of this community; and Martha, wife of Joseph Roscoe. They live with our subject. Sarah became the wife of Valentine Rapp, and died December 23. 1876. There are also twenty-three grandchildren.

\Mr. McQuillan is one of the oldest settlers of this township. His land is now operated by his children, and he gives his time to mechanical contrivances. He has patented three inventions – a cart replacer, a car coupler and a portable ladder. All of these are useful and will probably have a good sale. His home is adorned with pictures, the beautiful frames of which he has made in his leisure moments. Much of the furniture is also his handiwork, for he possesses great mechanical skill. Mr. McQuillan started out in life empty handed, but by determined efforts overcame the obstacles in his path, and has steadily worked his way upward to a position of wealth and affluence. He is now one of the largest land-owners in the county. He cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party has been on e of its stanch supporters. In religious belief he is a Catholic.