McDonough ILGenWeb

MAGUIRE, Edward, retired farmer, Macomb, Ill., was born near Lexington, Ky., October 20, 1829, the son of James and Rachel (Randolph) Maguire. Both parents were natives of Kentucky, the father born in 1796, and the mother in 1800. Of the grandparents, Edward Maguire was born in Ireland and Moses Randolph in New Jersey. In 1844, James Maguire brought his family to Sangamon County, Ill., and there they resided until 1861, when a residence was purchased in Macomb and, for two years thereafter, this was their home. Of the pioneer experiences of this family it is fitting that we relate one. The second winter after they arrived in Illinois, they bought an unfurnished two-story house in Macomb, which, with the aid of Alexander McLean, six yoke of oxen, and a number of men, in less than one day's time was moved across the prairie two and one half miles and placed on a firm foundation, while the movers returned to town in good season to perform the customary night tasks of the farmer. In this house the parents lived until their decease, which occurred, respectively, in 1865 and 1875.

Edward Maguire was one of seven children who followed the changing fortunes of this pioneer family. His education was received in the public schools convenient to the homestead, and he remained with his parents until his thirtieth year, when he purchased 160 acres of land, built a good house and began life for himself. On October 19, 1854, Mr. Maguire was married to Ellen A. Harris, of Carlinville, Ill., and of this union six children have been born: Martha Roseland, who was born October 17, 1855, was married November 4, 1896, at Myrtle Point, and died November 5, 1900; Mary Rachael, Sarah Isadore, Hattie Thomas, James Ralph, born November 28, 1868, married June 29, 1902, Miss Lydia Diefenbach, of Valparaiso, Ind., and died April 1, 1905; and Edward Calvin. In the year 1883 Mr. Maguire retired from active labor, and moved to Macomb, where he has since resided. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and has served as School Director of Macomb Township.

Mr. Maguire is a highly respected member of Macomb's coterie of early settlers.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 943, extracted 12 Sep 2019 by Norma Hass.