Henry McCartney was born May 12, 1804 in Ireland, although where exactly, I don’t know. He would become one of Jack’s second great-grandfathers. His parents were Henry McCartney, Sr. and Jane Strong. At some point, the family sailed from Ireland and settled in Guernsey County, OH. (Does Guernsey County seem familiar? If not it will, as lots of our family came through there.)
Henry married Margaret Bell on February 28, 1828. Margaret’s parents had immigrated from Ireland as well, although she was born in Ohio. It appears that it was announced in church for three Sundays prior to the marriage being performed by the Justice of the Peace. Perhaps there was only lay-preaching and not a “marrying” minister. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mention the name of the church just calls it the Congregation.
Henry and Margaret had nine children born to their union. Jeanett (1829-1909), Sarah (1831-1873), William (1834-1858), Margaret (1836-1919, she was Dad’s great-grandmother and still alive when he was born. I wonder if she saw him? They lived in Buena Vista, WI.), Mary Jane (1838-1907), Isabella (1840-1897), Martha (1847-1930), Harriet Calista (1848-1932), and Henry S. (1853-??).
They were farmers and clearly hard working. In 1870, which I think was the most prosperous time, the value of the farm was estimated as $11,100 on the Non-Population Schedule. I did a quick search and today’s equivalent amount is $218,586. Henry had 200 improved acres and 170 in woodland. Of note, he had 200 sheep and had 800 lbs of wool at the time of this Non-Population schedule. The estimated value of all the farm produce was $2650, which in today’s value is $52, 184.97. Not bad given they started from scratch in Ohio after they married in 1828. His father died in 1848, but I haven’t found his will, so am unsure whether they received much or not. The earliest records I have found are tax records from 1824 in the name of Henry McCartney, I’m not sure how many acres he had. I’m assuming this is the Sr., as in 1831, Henry Sr. has 40 acres and Henry Jr has 80. He may have received some, all or none of his father’s land when Henry Sr. died in 1848.
I did find Henry Jr’s will. Off the top, he gave two of his daughters, Mary J and Martha M, the sum of one thousand dollars each, which in today’s money would be about $28,348.46. They were both single and had stayed with their father and presumably cared for him in his old age. He then gave a grandson, James A. McCartney, the farm in Richland County, Wisconsin on which James currently resided. After that the farm was sold and proceeds divided equally amongst ALL the children, including Mary J. and Martha M. Sarah had already died, so her children received in share, divided equally amongst them. Henry was very specific about how his land was to be divided and sold. There was a stone marking the northwest corner of one section. He also mentioned part that had formerly belonged to James Bell, deceased. James may have been one of Margaret’s relatives but I can’t say for sure.
Henry McCartney died March 12, 1891.
