McClurkenj
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin Counties", published by Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1904.
JOHN R. McCLURKEN resides about
eleven miles northwest from Pasco, where he owns an estate of one thousand
acres, well improved and productive. The farm he owns in partnership
with his son Louis E. He was born in Washington county, Illinois, on December
9, 1835, the son of James and Sarah (Rodman) McClurken, natives of Scotland
and early pioneers to Illinois. Our subject was brought up on the
farm and received his education from the common schools. When he
reached manhood's estate, he engaged in farming, continuing the same until
1871, in his native place. Then he went to Evans county, Colorado,
where he remained until 1878. That was the year in which he came
to the Walla Walla valley. For four years, the family lived there,
then went to Ainsworth and from there to Pasco. He was in the employ
of the Northern Pacific railroad until 1900. For six years, he was
car inspector. Then he came on to his present location, purchasing
two sections of railroad land. One thousand acres of this he cultivated
to wheat. Mr. McClurken has gained a good success in his labors and
the fine estate which he owns is productive of very gratifying dividends
annually.
Politically he has always been a staunch Republican,
laboring faithfully for the success of his party, wherever he dwelt.
He is well posted on the questions of the day and is able to give a good
sound reason for voting as he does.
In Randolph county, Illinois, on September
18, 1857, Mr. McClurken married Miss Esther, the daughter of James and
Mahala Coulter, natives of Virginia. Mrs. McClurken was born in Illinois
and is the mother of five children, named as follows: James C., in Okanagon
county; Flora E.; Sadie, married to J. DeMoss, in Yakima; Louis E., in
partnership with his father, also assessor of Franklin county; Herbert
F., employed in the Northern Pacific office at Pasco.
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