ANDREW J. McCLUNG.

ANDREW J. McCLUNG.—Virginia, which was the first settled colony in the new world, has sent forth its representatives to every state in the Union, its sons having aided in founding the many great commonwealths which go to make up the nation. Among those who claim the Old Dominion as the state of their nativity is Andrew J. McClung, an esteemed resident of Allen county, his home being in Elsmore township. He was born in the Shenandoah Valley in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 28th of March, 1841. His father, Samuel McClung, was a native of Rockbridge county, that state, while the mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Haffner, was born in the Shenandoah Valley. For a number of years after their marriage they remained on the Atlantic coast, but in 1852 sought a home in the Mississippi valley, taking up their abode in Illinois, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying on the 3rd of April, 1891, when seventy-six years of age. His wife survived him until 1896 and passed away at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of four children of whom three are now living: Granville, who resides in Astoria, Illinois; Mrs. M. E. Merrill who resides near the same town; and Andrew J., who is the first in order of birth.

Through the first eleven years of his life Mr. McClung of this review

remained in Virginia and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois in 1852. There he pursued his education in the common schools and after putting aside his text-books he entered the school-room as a teacher, following that profession through the winter months, while in the summer he engaged in farming for twenty years. He was united in marriage to Miss Epurvey Ward on the 21st of April, 1862, a lady who is a native of North Carolina, born January 20, 1841, and when a little maiden of six summers went to Illinois with her parents, Lindsay and Meca Ward.

After their marriage Mr. McClung and his bride began their domestic life upon a rented farm which he operated through the summer months, while in the winter he continued teaching. Until 1883 he was a resident of Illinois and that year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He came with his family to Allen county, settling in Elsmore township where he continued to operate rented land until 1896, when he invested his earnings in a tract of eighty acres a mile and a half east of the town of Elsmore. On this place he erected a pleasant and comfortable residence and a good barn. He has developed an excellent farm, and in connection with the raising of cereals best adapted to this climate he gives some attention to stock-raising. His methods are progressive and practical and a glance at the place indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of the thrifty and energetic owner.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClung have been born eight children of whom seven are now living, namely: Margaret, the wife of Thomas Hartley, a resident of Illinois; Henry, who makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri; Charles, who is living in Moline, Illinois; Edwin and George, who assist their father in the operation of the home farm; and Mary, the wife of Charles Roedel, near the old family homestead. The first member of the family was William, who died in 1894 when thirty-one years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. McClung are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security. In his political affiliations he has always been a stalwart Republican. He was elected and served four terms as township trustee of Elsmore township, and was appointed by the government to take the census of his township in 1900. He has ever discharged the duties of the offices which he has been called to fill in a manner with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. When eighteen years of age Mr. McClung suffered greatly from rheumatism and lost the use of his right arm. While this would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute will, he has worked steadily year after year making the most of his opportunities and to-day he is known among those whose labors have brought to them the comforts of life and won for them a place among the substantial citizens of the community in which they abide. Mr. McClung uniformly bears himself as a gentleman. Mentally he has grown strong through his wide reading. He has quick apprehension and readily comprehends all the business affairs with which he has to do. He is domestic in his habits and as a husband, father and citizen his example is well worthy of emulation.

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