Selium McGary (1831-1910)/documents

The Norwalk Star (Norwalk, WI)

 * Friday, July 22, 1910. P. 4.

Mr. Selium McGary, one of the earliest settlers of Monroe, Co., Wis., was born in Wilton, Vermont, May 13, 1831, and died at Norwalk, Wis., July 17, 1910, aged 79 years, 2 months, 4 days.

When deceased was about 7 years old his father moved to Medina county, O., and later to Alleghena City, Pa., but soon after made his permanent home in Erie Co., Ohio. In September, 1852, deceased came with his grandparents, Ira Huntly and wife, to Monroe Co., Wis., bringing with him the bride of his youth, Elvira Fox. For more than half a century this happy, industrious couple lived and labored together in the village of Norwalk, which was named by Mr. McGary after a village he lived in, in the state of Ohio.

Their labors were crowned with fair success. They reared a family of six children—Frances, now Mrs. Reckard [sic] of Denver, Colorado; Eugene, holding the old homestead; Isabel, now Mrs. Wood, and Lenora, now Mrs. Kier of Baraboo; Josephine, now Mrs. Kendall of Chicago, Ill., and Jessie, now Mrs. Bohn of Elroy. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Wood, who is in the West.

Since the departure of Mrs. McGary, about two years ago, Mr. McGary felt his great bereavement and began to fail rapidly. Besides the 5 daughters and one son and grandchildren, he is survived by two sisters.

Mr. McGary was also a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company A, 52 Regiment Wisconsin, Volunteer Infantry, serving about 14 months.

His funeral took place July 20. Many friends turned out to show their due respect to the deceased and his loved ones. May God abundantly bless all the dear relatives.!


 * Transcribed by Bruce Kendall, September 3, 2005

Biography – Eugene McGary

 * History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, Past and Present; Including an account of the Cities, Towns and Villages of the County. Randolph A. Richards, editor in chief.  C.F. Cooper & Co. (1912: Chicago).  Pp. 799-801.

Eugene McGary, president of the village of Norwalk, and lifelong resident of Monroe county, was born in Ridgeville township, October 17, 1854, and is one of a family of six children born to Seluim [sic][1] and Elvira (Fox) McGary. Of their other children, Frances married Norman Record, of Sparta, Wis.; Isabelle is the wife of George Wood, of Baraboo, Wis.; Nora is the wife of John Kier, also resides at Baraboo; Josephine is the wife of W. B. Kendalls [sic][2], and lives in Chicago, Ill., and Jessie is Mrs. B. L. Bond [sic][3], of Elroy, Wis. Seluim McGary was the son of Thomas McGary, a native of Ireland, who came to Ohio in an early day and spent the remainder of his life; his son, Seluim, was born here. Seluim, with his wife, were among the early pioneers of Wisconsin, having settled in Oil City, in Monroe county, in the early forties, where he secured employment by the month in the lumber mill of the late Esau Johnson. After one year thus spent, he took up a Government claim of 160 acres of land in section twenty-eight, Ridgeville township, near where the village of Norwalk is now located and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred July 17, 1910, in his eightieth year. The death of his wife, mother of our subject, occurred February 4, 1908, at the age of seventy-five years. He was of that numerous class of sturdy men who were instrumental in bringing about the wonderful changes that have been wrought in transforming that part of Monroe county, Wisconsin, from a state of comparative wilderness to its present fruitful and fertile condition, as one of the garden spots of the state. Through his industry the farm was brought to a high state of cultivation, and with the fine improvements he made, was one of the model farms of the county. He was an influential man in the community, a man of intelligence who was in sympathy with, and ready to lend a helping hand in every worthy enterprise intended for the betterment of the community. During his active life he held several local offices, and when the village of Norwalk was incorporated he became its first president. The business life of Mr. McGary furnished a notable example of what may be accomplished by energy and resolution, when guided by honorable principles and aided by agreeable personal characteristics; he was in truth a successful business man, and his actions in all his transactions were marked by scrupulously fair dealing, frankness and kindness and faith in the better side of human nature. Of his two brothers, Thomas was a soldier in the Civil War, and was killed at the battle of Bull Run, and Henry died in 1898.

Eugene McGary was raised on his father’s farm, and obtained his education in the public schools while assisting in the farm work. He has resided on the homestead all his life, and when his father became incapacitated and inactive he assumed full management, and at the death of his father inherited the farm. He carries on general farming and does considerable dairying, in which he is generally successful, and with his modern residence, which he erected in 1910, overlooking the village of Norwalk, commodious barns and outbuildings, his is one of the most comfortable homes of the county. He takes a commendable interest in all public matters and has served as president of the village of Norwalk in all ten years; his last term of service extending continuously over a period of seven years. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodsman of America.

As a man, Mr. McGary is well thought of in the community; has always shown himself capable and trustworthy in any place his has been called to fill, and no man enjoys more public confidence and esteem.

On March 4, 1877, Mr. McGary was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Sour, daughter of David Sour, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Cole’s valley, Monroe county. They have and interesting family of five children, viz.: Mabel, Anna, Harold, Lester and Clayton McGary.


 * Transcribed by Bruce Kendall, August 23, 2005.

[1] Transcriber’s note: should be Selium.

[2] Transcriber’s note: should be Kendall.

[3] Transcriber’s note: should be Bohn.