Biography of W. H. C. McCoy
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 907
W. H. C. McCOY, London, a life resident of Madison County, and a resident of London, was born in Deer Creek Township August 10, 1828. A sketch of his father is well worth a plate in our work. William McCoy (deceased), was born in Washington County, Penn., January 30, 1785; his father, Daniel McCoy, emigrated to Kentucky in 1787, and there resided till 1806. He then removed to Clark County, Ohio; he departed this life in Highland County. He married a Miss Sutherland; on March 10, 1815, William McCoy came to Madison County, locating in Deer Creek Township, one and a half miles east of the present site of La Fayette; he was a farmer and stock-raiser through life, and took great interest in the breeding and raising of horses. He owned 300 acres of land at the time of his death. He was a soldier in
the war of 1812; a Whig in early life, subsequently a stanch Republican. and for many years was a Justice of the Peace in Deer Creek Township; he was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church of London, and among its first Elders. He died September 3, 1869, aged eighty-four years eight months and three days. His wife was Ann Tweed Fielding, who was born in Washington County, Penn., January 17, 1793; they were the parents of nine children, six daughters and three sons, two now living -- Mrs. M. M. Davidson, of London, and our subject. Mrs. McCoy departed this life March 28, 1854. Both parents were buried in the cemetery, two and a half miles east of La Fayette. Our subject was the eighth child, and grew to mature years on the old home farm. In early life he walked two and a half miles to district school, and subsequently attended an academy at Jefferson; he has been engaged in farming the most of his life, having inherited 100 acres of the home farm, and afterward buying the other 200 acres, and then adding 140 more to it; he came to London February 23, 1873, and sold his farm in December, 1879; since his removal to London he has been working at the carpenter's trade, which he learned about 1855. Mr. McCoy is a member of Chandler Lodge No. 138 (Masonic), Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination for twenty-eight years; he was class leader of the church at La Fayette, and has held the same position in the church of London; he is Republican in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace of Deer Creek Township. He was united in marriage, March 6, 1853, to Elizabeth Simpson, a native of Nottingham, Eng., who came to America when but ten years of age. Four children were born to this union, three living -- William, in A.. T. & S. Fe Land Office, Topeka, Kan., who married Jennie McCoy; Henry C. and Celestia B.; Lydia T., the oldest child is deceased. Mrs. McCoy departed this life February 7, 1880; she was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The full name of our subject is William Henry Clay, and the manner in which it was given him will be of interest. When his parents lived in Kentucky, they were well acquainted with Henry Clay, and
when our subject was born, he was named for the Kentucky statesman. When he had attained the age of two and a half years. Henry Clay stopped at the Gwynne farm, and sent word to the parents to bring his namesake over. He then presented the child with a five dollar gold piece. This money was taken charge of by an elder brother, and used in the purchase of calves. At the. time of the latter's death, the sum amounted to $200. This money was put on interest for two or three years, and then the father saw a chance to buy forty-one acres of land adjoining the homestead. which he purchased. When our subject grew of age, he was presented this piece of land, and kept it till he finally disposed of the whole farm.
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