Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 852 - 853

ZACHARY T. McGREW. As a representative of the agricultural class, and one who has met with good success in his independent calling, we take pleasure in giving a brief sketch of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice. He is pleasantly located on his homestead on section 24, Union Township, comprising 160 acres of fine land. He is a native of Kosciusko County, Ind., where he was born March 26, 1848.

            His paternal grandparents were natives of Virginia, and became pioneers of Preble County, Ohio, and in that county John McGrew, the father of our subject, was born May 12, 1812. He passed his early life in his native county, receiving a good education in the public schools, and an excellent knowledge of agriculture on the home farm. On attaining manhood, he learned the trade of carpenter, and also spent a few years in teaching. Hoping to benefit himself pecuniarily, he went from Ohio to Elkhart County, Ind., and while there married Eliza J. Matthews, an Ohioan by birth. Two years later they settled in Kosciusko County, Ind., where Mrs. McGrew died in 1856. At her death this excellent woman left a husband and eight children; one of the latter died in childhood, but seven grew to maturity, namely: Sarah, Marshall, Phillip, Z. T., John, Ann and Lucy. Sarah married Lamberson Daisy; she is now deceased. Marshall was a member of Company A, 74th Indiana Infantry, and died while in the service; Phillip lives in Arkansas; he served during the Rebellion as a member of Company I, 129th Indiana Infantry. John went to Nevada several years ago, and no tidings of him have been received since 1878; Ann is the wife of George Roth, and lives near Lookout Mountain; Lucy is the wife of Joseph Henry, of Marion, Ind. The father of our subject was married a second time, taking as his wife Mrs. Catherine J. Sparklin, nee Platter. There were no children born of this union. The father is still living in Kosciusko County, Ind.

            Z. T. McGrew, of whom we write, was reared on the home farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native county. In 1869 he married Mrs. Ann E. Ulrey, nee Rolston, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 1, 1845. Her parents were David and Rebecca (Workman) Rolston, with whom she came to Indiana from her native State in 1860. The following year, on the 24th of February, she married Samuel Ulrey. He died Aug. 13, 1867, leaving her with three young children - Thomas F., William M. C. and Joseph E.

            After his marriage our subject followed railroading in Indiana, being engaged as foreman in the repair shops until 1878, when, lured by the encouraging prospects for an intelligent, energetic farmer on the fertile prairies of Kansas, he moved to this county with his family, and rented land in Delano Township. He was not deceived in his belief as to the productive qualities of the soil, but reaped such abundant harvests that he decided to purchase a farm, and in September, 1882, he bought the land be now owns and occupies. He has carried an agricultural pursuits in a business-like manner, and his highly cultivated farm, of which only one-half had been broken by the plough when it came into his possession, and the fine dwelling, good barns and outhouses, are indicative of his industry, energy and systematic management.

            To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have been born six children, five of whom are living: Lucy O., Hudson T., Seward O., Durward G. and Merty. One daughter, Stella V., died when two years old.

            Mr. McGrew is a good Republican, and strongly in favor of a protective tariff. Both he and his good wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and endeavor to carry out in their daily lives its moral teachings. 

[ Home ]