WILLIAM H. McCABE.
Among the men who came to Appanoose county in the period of its pioneer development and who for many years have been identified with the progress and upbuilding of this part of the state is William H. McCabe, who made his first settlement here in 1856. He has given his attention almost entirely to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land on section 5, Franklin township, a portion of which is the family homestead. He was born in Saratoga county, New York, on the 25th of June, 1853, and is a son of John and Eleanor (Angle) McCabe, both natives of the Empire state. The father farmed in Saratoga county for a number of years but in 1856 moved west to Iowa and located in Appanoose county, where he purchased land upon which his son now resides. His tract at that time comprised eighty acres and was all prairie, which Mr. McCabe was obliged to break before beginning the work of development. He got the land under the plow and gradually carried forward the work of improvement, building the necessary farm buildings and a comfortable dwelling. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he left the farm and enlisted in an Iowa company, being later transferred to a Kansas cavalry regiment. He served for eighteen months and was then discharged on account of disability. Returning home, he again settled upon his farm, but soon afterward died from the effects of his military service. His wife, left alone, bravely faced the hardships of pioneer life and reared her family of two sons and two daughters, namely: Peter, a farmer of Franklin township; Clara, who became the wife of Peter Bales, also of Franklin township; Mary, the wife of D. W. Pettigrew, of Lincoln township; and William H., of this review.
The last named was in his childhood familiar with pioneer conditions in the state and even as a small boy aided in breaking the soil in the development of his father's farm. He had very few school advantages and is largely self-educated, having gained the greater part of his knowledge through reading, experience and observation in later years. As soon as he was able he obtained work by the day or month and labored in this way for several years, saving his money and accumulating a comfortable sum. With this he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, which he has since continued to operate. He did not fear earnest and persistent work and steadily carried forward the work of development in which he had assisted since childhood, adding to his holdings until the farm comprises four hundred acres. He replaced the early dwelling with a modern two-story residence in 1897, while barns and out-buildings were also erected, the farm thus becoming a model property. The fields are carefully tilled and Mr. McCabe has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate his work. He gathers large harvests and the stock which he keeps is of good grades, commanding a ready sale, and he is numbered among the men of affluence in this community. He owns in addition to the homestead twenty-two acres of timber land in the vicinity.
In Lincoln township, on September 1, 1875, Mr. McCabe was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lowry, who was born and reared in Appanoose county, a daughter of R. S. Lowry. They became the parents of seven children: W. H., Jr., who attended the Seymour high school and who is now assisting his father in the operation of the farm; Nettie, the wife of Frank Armntrout, of Marshall county, Indiana; Ethel, who married Hosea Phillips, a farmer of Franklin township; Anna, who became the wife of John Kirkpatrick, of Johnson county, Iowa; Ola, who teaches music; Hallie, a graduate nurse and a resident of Iowa City; and Eula, who attends the Seymour high school. Mr. McCabe's first wife passed away in August, 1904, and on the 7th of June, 1911, he was again married. His second wife was Mrs. Emma Fox, of Lemonville, Missouri, who was born and reared in Franklin township. She is a daughter of Joseph Melson and the widow of William Fox, by whom she had five children. Of this family two, Ray and Lilly, are living with their mother. Mrs. McCabe is a devout adherent of the Baptist church.
Mr. McCabe gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is prominent and active in local affairs, being particularly interested in school matters. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of education and has been influentially identified with the betterment of the schools. He was township trustee for six years and has served as delegate to numerous county conventions and has done conscientious work upon petit and grand juries. He was formerly a member of the Masonic order in Seymour, where he held membership in the blue lodge and chapter, and was affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons. The record of his career extends back to pioneer history and his activities have been connected closely with the development of the county. While his life has been quietly passed, it has been useful and beneficial in its results, showing what may be accomplished by a determined and persistent spirit and honorable dealing. He occupies a place of prominence among the representative citizens of Appanoose county, but the most envious cannot grudge him his success— so worthily has it been won.
Source: Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa, Volume II, by L. L. Taylor, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1913; Pgs. 214-215
