(7). Elizabeth, b. June 5, 1833, d. July 23, 1833. Buried at Bethel.
(8). Matthew Thompson McClure, named for a great grandfather, born July 23, 1834. He lives at the old McClure home where he and all his brothers and sisters were born, and where his father and grandfather died, one mile northeast of Old Providence Church. He is the last of his generation. Like his father and grandfather and great grandfather he has lived to be eighty years old.
He has for many years been looked upon as one of the most intelligent and successful farmers of his section. Without a scientific education, he has through years of experience mastered many of the facts of agricultural chemistry to the advantage of his community. Even the very briefest sketch of him would be imperfect that did not mention his keen sense of humor that has made him throughout his life a delightful companion and welcome guest; a hopeful disposition with an indomitable will and a strong character that has ever enabled him to rise triumphantly above the misfortunes of life.
He has served in a number of positions of trust and honor in his community, such as over seer of roads, school trustee, chairman of his district party (Democratic) organization. Urged by friends to become a candidate for the Legislature he resolutely declined. Along with two other gentlemen, J. M. Harris, and Baxter Rowan, he founded, and fostered for several years, a Classical School at Old Providence that was of untold benefit to numbers of young men and women, who would never otherwise have been prepared for College or secured a High School education. He has through a long life labored for every interest of his community, religious, educational, political and commercial.
Like his four older brothers he was a soldier in the Civil War.
The following papers bear on this period:
