Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-05-27
AROUND The COUNTY
POTOSI.
Special correspondence TO the Herald.

pioneer resident of Grant county has
gone to his reward John McClain
for seventy-one years a resident of
this part of the county died at his
home in the town of Paris, Thursday,
May 21st, 1914, aged Sc years, 8
months and days Mr.. McClain was
born in Warren county, Tennessee,
Sept. 18th, 1927 and was a son of
Matthew and Mary McClain. The
mother died in Tennessee in 1880.
Eleven years thereafter the father and
son journeyed northward to Jefferson
county, Illinois, where they lived for
two years. In 1843 they came to
Wisconsin and settled in the town of
Potosi, the son being then nearly six
teen years of age; they followed the
pursuits of mining and were quite
successful. In the spring of 1850
John McClain crossed the plains to
seek a fortune in the gold fields of
California. Four months was re-
quired to make the journey. The
Indians were numerous and dangerous
and the little company in which he
travelled had many close calls for
their lives. Mr.. McClain met with
remarkable success in the gold mines
and in short time had made several
thousand dollars, with this he return
ed to Potosi and purchased from the
Lot n
tract of wild land in the town of
PotOsi on which he made extensive
improvements, clearing 1T up and
making fine farm on which he lived
for some years. He was united in
marriage to Miss Annie Rupp, of the
town of Potosi in 1852. She was
born in Germany in 1884 and came
to Potosi with her parents at an
early age. She preceded her hubsand
in death few years ago. To this
union were born twelve children,
three of whom have passed away.
Charles died in 1879, Thomas in 1887
and George three or four years ago.
The surviving members of the family
are: Mrs. Mary Wilson, of Paris;
Mrs. Margaret Vannatta, of Platte
vile; Mrs. Laura Rupp, of Paris;
Mrs. George Woodrome, of Jefferson
county, Illinois. John residing in
South Dakota, Albert living in South
Dakota, Edward of the town of Har-
rison, Henry of Harrison, and Archie
at the homestead in Paris. In 1857
Mr.. and Mrs. McClain went to Kansas
with the intention of making a home
in that state; after thorough inspec-
ton they were satisfied that Grant
county offered better attraction for a
farming career and they returned. Mr..
McClain then purchased land in the
town of Paris to which ne added from
time to time until he owned a fine
farm of five hundred acres, over half
OF which is under cultivation, with
fine and substantial buildings. For
many years in addition to his ordinary
farming he carried on extensive
operations in raising stock. Mr.. Nc
Claim started in life without a dollar,
and by his own industry and thrift
had come to be one of the most ex-
tensvie farmers and stock raisers of
this part of the county. The con-
hdence and esteem of the community
had been extended to him without
measure and his reputation for
honesty, sobriety and integrity was
never questioned.
A number of cars of cattle from
st. Paul were unloaded at the depot
here last Tuesday, some remaining
here and others were driven to Platte
vile.
Joseph Schmitz, recently of Los
Angeles, California, was here
couple of days last week to see his
father, Mr.. Jacob Schmitz, who is in
very feeble health. Joe has taken
position with the Great Northern
railroad as emigrant agent with head
quarters in Chicago.
Joe Vogelsberg and son Grover and
Miss Title Rupp were in Dubuque
Tuesday.
l.. G. Edwards looked after bust
ness matters in Dubuque, Wednesday.
Eugene Webb is making some much
needed improvements to his dwelling
house by raising it from a one story
to two story building adding much
to its former appearance.
Miss Anna Mclaughlin whom we
reported last week as being danger
Ously i'll with pneumonia, is slowly
but surely recovering which is crafty
ing news to her many friends.
Rev. Father Rumpelhart, of
Dickeyville, was guest of Father
Schetfer last Friday
Mr.. Michael Kelly, an aged and
highly respected old citizen of the