ROBERT WHITE McCHORD, REV.

MCCHORD, WALLACE, SAWYER, PORTER, MCGAW, MCDILL, SNODGRASS, WAYNE, HARRISON, BANGHAM, FINLEY, MORRIS, WOLF, MCDOWELL, HAMLINE, MCCRACKEN, REED, ROPER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/14/2020 at 15:25:50

REV. ROBERT WHITE McCHORD, - in giving the following sketch, we make many quotations from an autobiography. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 20th, 1813, and was baptised in the Presbyterian Church (O. S.), by the Rev. Mr. Wallace. His father, John McChord, was born May 12, 1786, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. His mother’s maiden name was Jane Sawyer, daughter of Joseph Sawyer. She also was born in Pennsylvania. Both families were members of the Presbyterian Church (O. S.), at that time under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Snodgrass. Both families moved to Ohio, and in due time handed their certificates of membership to the Associate Reform Church; this they did because they preferred the exclusive use of a version of Scripture Psalms. John McChord and Jane Sawyer were married August 13th, 1812, in Clear Creek, near Franklin, Ohio. He purchased a quarter section of land in Preble County from the United States Government, cleared some of it, and built a cabin, into which he moved with his family, consisting of himself, wife, and his son Robert, who was then about one year old. They all entered the Associate Reform Church, whose principal ministers were the Revs. Alexander Porter, Samuel McGaw, and David McDill.

Mr. McChord’s early education was obtained in log cabins, which, at that time was the only school-houses they had. He assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen, at which time he apprenticed to a cooper, with whom he remained about three years. In the mean time, however, he was punctual in his attendance at church. His father was ordained Ruling Elder in Associate Reform Church, by the Rev. Alexander Porter. His father served in the war of 1812, under Anthony Wayne and General Harrison. Politically, he was a Jackson Democrat, until General Harrison was nominated for President, at which time he voted for him.

Mr. McChord was formerly a Henry Clay Whig; in 1856, at the time the Republican party was formed, he joined its ranks. He is not a strong party man, but votes for those who deserve the position, and have the ability to fill the office for which they are candidates.

In 1831, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Eaton, Ohio, on probation. The Rev. John A. Bangham was pastor, and the Rev. James B. Finley was Presiding Elder. During the first ten years of his membership, he acted successfully as class leader, steward, and exhorter, in the church near their home. In 1841, Mr. McChord was licensed to preach, at Eaton Ohio, by the Rev. James B. Finley, Presiding Elder, and Joseph McDowell, Pastor. In 1845 he was ordained Deacon, in Cincinnati, by Bishop Hamline; and in 1850, he was ordained Elder, in Chilocothe, Ohio, by Bishop T. A. Morris, to whose quarterly meeting he has walked eighteen miles.

December 10, 1835, Mr. McChord was married to Sarah Wolf; she was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 5th, 1816. By this Union ten children have been born, whose names are as follows; Juliet R., was married to Jacob E. McCracken, September 6th, 1860, and died March 27, 1866; C. Chalmers; Ashbury B.; Elizabeth J.; Werter R. Davis; John T. A.; Joseph A., and Leroy D. were born in Ohio; Mary Iowa, and Paulina L. Were born in this State. C. Chalmers served throughout the late war, and was promoted to a Lieutenancy. Ashbury B. served three years as a private. Both were in the third Iowa Cavalry, Company B.

In 1856, September 11, Mr. McChord and family came to this State, and located at Clay Grove, where they now reside. We may here mention a few items of interest: During the twenty-seven years he worked at the coopers’ trade he never made a single whisky barrel. At about the age of twenty-one he was elected captain of the militia, in Ohio, under the following announcement, “that he would not furnish,” as was then customary, “his company with whisky.” At that time he was a Henry Clay Whig, and a majority of his company were Democrats. Since his union with the church, he has never used whisky or brandy in any form as a beverage. October 14th, 1843, Mr. McChord was made a Master Mason. In 1846, he was made a Knight Templar, at Dayton Ohio; Samuel Reed, G. L, of Ohio, and the Rev. Wm. H. Roper, assisted in conferring the degree. Mr. McChord now remembers his membership in those lodges as one of the great blessings of his life: “I, as a humble local minister, have been industrious, physically and mentally; my principal fields of labor have been in Ohio and this State, although I have preached in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. The churches and their ministers have all helped me: the Methodist ministers tried to make me a man of God. At the age of sixty, I feel that my work is almost done; I feel willing to live or die—to go or stay—as Jesus, my Immanuel, wills, finding myself, by God’s help, a lover of good men. My present health indicating approaching superannuation, and probably cessation, from public life, I take this opportunity to tell of my gratitude to all my friends, in this and other countries.”

He now lives in a comfortable home, and in an industrious, order-loving, church-going community. During the time he has made his home in Iowa, he has formed many lasting friendships, both in his own and other neighborhoods. His feeling now is, “Peace, and good will towards all men.”

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer