mcquariew
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
WILLIAM H. McQUARIE who resides
in the vicinity of Wilbur, was born in Argyle, New York, on June 6, 1840.
His father, John McQuarie, was a native of the British Isles and came to
America when a boy. The mother, Diana (Jaycox) McQuarie, was born
in Canada. Her father was a captain in a British Regiment and was
born in England. Our subject came with his parents in 1848 to Canada
and then to Illinois in 1852. In this last place he received his
education in the district schools and remained with his father until twenty-one.
He then enlisted in Company G, Second Illinois Light Artillery, being mustered
into service in 1861 at Camp Butler, Illinois. On the 31st of March,
following, he had his first engagement at Union City, Tennessee.
They drove out the Confederates and captured all of their stores and fifteen
prisoners. On June 9, he started south with his command and at LaGrange,
Tennessee, joined the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, under General
Grant in his expedition toward Vicksburg. He participated in the
battle of Coffeeville, Lake Providence, and Millikan's Bend, Louisiana.
He had other engagements and arrived at Memphis on January 21. On
April 17, 1862, he marched with his expedition to cross the river below
Grand when the steamer sunk and the soldiers barely escaped with their
lives. Mr. McQuarie participated in the siege of Vicksburg to its
close and was with General Stephenson in his expedition to Monroe, Louisiana,
and also went to Brownsville, Mississippi. He was in numerous encounters
and did some excellent service. He participated in the siege of Mobile,
then went to Montgomery, Alabama, and on September 4, 1865, was ordered
to Springfield where he received his honorable discharge. Following
the war, he farmed in Illinois until 1868, then moved to Iowa. It
was November, 1883, when he moved to Spokane county. In April, 1884,
he came to Lincoln county and took a homestead where he now lives.
He has a fine residence, excellent orchard, and all other improvements
necessary.
In 1861, Mr. McQuarie married Miss Harriet,
daughter of Luke and Maria (Goodale) Nichols, natives of Vermont and New
York, respectively. Mrs. McQuarie was born in Aurora, Illinois, on
May 4, 1844. To this couple three children have been born, Eddie,
Mrs. Ellen M. Tester, and Paul A.
Mrs. McQuarie has always been a faithful helpmeet
to her husband during all the years of deprivation and hardship of pioneer
days. For weeks at a time she would stay with her little ones all
alone on the claim while he was a hundred miles away earning their start.
Thus by her courage and patient endurance she has done her full share in
gaining their present comfortable competence.
Mr. McQuarie has won the respect and esteen
of all who know him and is one of those stanch men who fought all through
the dark days, when treason's minions were attempting to tear down the
stars and stripes. He and his wife have shown themselves to be capable
and estimable people. Their uprightness and an unswerving integrity
have won for them hosts of friends and they are always found on the side
of those measures which tend to build up the morals in the community and
advance the church and school interests.
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