Ireland has contributed its full share toward the
development of the great state of Missouri, which is justly proud of the
Irish element in its citizenship. Among the progressive farmers of Jasper
township, Jasper county, not many are held in higher regard than Alexander
McCann, who lives within the borders of section 3 and is the owner of seven
hundred acres of valuable farming land. This progressive farmer and
public-spirited citizen was born in county Down, Ireland, and at the age of
eleven years was brought to America by his parents, James and Jane (Pottor)
McCann, who located at Indianapolis, Indiana. About two years later they
removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, where they remained until 1869, when
they located in Jasper county, Missouri, where Mr. McCann died in his
eighty-seventh year, and Mrs. McCann at about the age of seventy-two years.
This worthy couple were the parents of three children, one of whom died at
the age of three years, while another, Anna J., is the wife of William Dick,
of Duval township, Jasper county.
Alexander McCann was eleven years
old when his parents came to America. He lived with them in Indianapolis and
in Illinois, and in 1871 he located in Duval township, whence eventually he
removed to Jasper township. His career has been a very successful one and,
as has been stated, his real-estate holding in Duval and Jasper townships
aggregate seven hundred acres. He rents much of his land and devotes his
home place to general farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and, taking a deep interest in Sunday-school
work, is superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the organization
with which he affiliates. Politically he is a Republican and has always been
active in public affairs. While he has not been an office seeker he has been
prevailed upon to accept some places of public responsibility and has ably
filled the offices of road commissioner and justice of the peace.
Mr. McCann married Agnes Orr, a native of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1879.
A lover of home and home interests, he holds close to his heart the welfare
of his fellow townsmen, and all measures tending to enhance the prosperity
of Jasper township have always received his unqualified support. Leading men
of the township testify that his administration of the office of justice of
the peace was in every way admirable, his decisions having been uniformly
fair and honest, while his comprehensive knowledge of business enabled him
to adjudicate equitably in all matters of dispute between his townsmen. His
interest in good roads made him a model road commissioner, and as a citizen,
a church member and a public official he has always acquitted himself
admirably and won the respect of all who have known him.
Contributed 2022 Oct 24 by Aimee Edgeworth, extracted from The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri, by Malcolm G. McGregor, published in 1901, pages 504-505.
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