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1907 Past and Present Biographies

John E. McClurg

John E. McClurg, engaged in the real-estate business in Jefferson, was born on a farm in Greene county and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were W. C. and L. J. (Wright) McClurg, the latter one of the oldest native born citizens of the county, her father, Irwin Wright, being an honored early settler and prominent farmer of Jackson township.

The public-school system of the county enabled John McClurg to acquire a good English education, fitting him for life’s practical and responsible duties. When not busy with his text-books his time was largely taken up with the work of the farm and he assisted in the plowing, planting and harvesting until twenty-one years of age, when he married and started out upon an independent business career. He first rented a farm and continued in active connection with general agricultural pursuits until five years ago. He was an enterprising agriculturist, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and annually acquiring a good income therefrom. When his success was assured and he had reached a position of affluence he resolved to turn his attention to other business interests and has since operated in real estate under the firm name of McClurg & Company. He removed to Jefferson, where he conducts an office, but he still owns valuable farming property, including one hundred and sixty acres in Greenbrier township and an equal amount in Oklahoma. He also has a nice residence in the town and is most comfortably located.

In 1892 Mr. McClurg was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Thrift, of Dallas county, Iowa, and unto them have been born five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Alba Clarence, William Claude, Thelma, Naomi and Margery.

Mr. McClurg votes with the republican party, believing firmly in its principles as most conducive to good government. He is now serving as alderman of Jefferson and exercises his official prerogatives in support of all measures that promise for the good of the community at large, and opposed to all misrule in municipal affairs. He is a valued member of the Improved Order of Red Men, serving in the second highest office in the local lodge. He belongs to the Christian church and cooperates in all movements for the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the city and county. He is reckoned among the successful business men of Jefferson, possessing keen discrimination and sound judgment and displaying executive ability and excellent management. He is a typical citizen of the middle west, alert and enterprising - advancing public progress while promoting individual prosperity.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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