Clyde McGrew, a well known banker of Benton, Butler county, is a native of Tonica, La Salle county, Illinois, where he was born July 1, 1873, to Benaiah E. and Elvira N. (Pond) McGrew. The McGrew family is of Scotch descent and was founded in America by three brothers who immigrated to New England in early Colonial times. It has furnished men who have been prominently identified with the growth and development of our country and the names of members of the McGrew family appear upon the muster rolls of the armies of every war from King Philip's to the present. Benaiah E. McGrew, who founded the Kansas family, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, and came to Lincoln township, Sedgwick county, Kansas, in 1876, and there bought a farm. He was successful in business and became a prominent man in the county and an active and influential member of the Republican party. He was a member of the Sedgwick County Republican Central Committee for twenty-five years and was a delegate to several state conventions. He was associated fraternally with the Masonic order. His death occurred on Dec. 11, 1906.

He was twice married, his first marriage occurring in La Salle county, Illinois, Sept. 30, 1858, when he was united to Miss Elmira Keller, who died March 8, 1863, leaving two sons: James M. and George A., both of whom own and operate valuable farming properties in Lincoln township, Sedgwick county. His second marriage was celebrated at Chillicothe, Ill., March 9, 1868, when Miss Elvira N. Pond became his wife. She and a son and daughter survive. The son, Clyde, is the subject of this review, and the daughter, Ella, is the wife of James D. Cannon, a prominent farmer of Benton, Kan.

Clyde McGrew was educated in the public schools of Sedgwick county and completed his education in 1893. He then engaged in farming and stock raising on the home farm and became a very successful cattle dealer, the most of his cattle being shipped to the Kansas City markets. Mr. McGrew was one of the principal organizers and became vice-president of the Benton State Bank upon its organization in July, 1904. Being elected cashier of the bank in January, 1905, he located in Benton and assumed active charge of the bank. This institution is one of the most successful country banks in the state. In seven years it has paid regular dividends, has accumulated a surplus of $11,000 with $10,000 capital, and has deposits of $100,000. Mr. McGrew is conceded to be an able banker and the growth of his institution reflects great credit on his efforts in the banking field. He is one of the most progressive and successful men of his section and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the community. He is a stockholder in the Southwest National Bank of Kansas City, Mo., and has important farm and grazing interests aside from that of banking. He is a Republican in politics, and while always keenly interested in the political welfare of his county and the country at large, and while often sought or mentioned for office, he could not be induced to accept political honors, preferrring[sic] to devote his time and attention to his large business interests. He attained the Scottish Rite degree in Masonry and is affiliated with Midian Temple Shrine at Wichita, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On Dec. 25, 1898, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McGrew and Miss Emma L. Sibert, a daughter of Andrew Sibert, a contractor of Perry, Okla. To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have been born three children: Ethel May, born Dec. 15, 1902; Cyrus Philip, born March 19, 1905; and Benaiah Elwin, born March 22, 1907.