Henry Clay McGaughy

This is also from the notes of Tom McGaughy. It reads a lot like the BB Paddock biography, but differs in a few places.

Henry Clay McGaughy, a pioneer settler of Montague county, was born in Lee county, Mississippi, on the 11th of June, 1848. His parents were William L. and Mary (Harris) McGaughy, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, where they were married. Soon after their marriage they moved to Mississippi. The paternal grandfather was G. W. McGaughy, of Georgia, who later moved to Mississippi. In his family were the following: William L., Carrol, Lee, and Benton, who came to Texas; Jack who lived in the Indian Territory;l and Sally, the wife of John Nicholson.

William L. McGaughy, father of Henry Clay McGaughy, purchased land and engaged in farming in Mississippi where he became a prominent planter and slave owner of his locality. For many years he successfully conducted his business interest there and he remained upon the old homestead during the period of the Civil War and until after the re-construction. He was too old for active service in the army but he furnished eight sons to the Confederacy. His farm lay in the path of the contending armies, who faraged on his land and largely reduced the value of his estate. His slaves were freed, his property devastated, and in 1869 Mr. McGaughy turned over the plantation to two of his sons and with the remainder of his family came to Texas, settling first in Grayson County, where he remained for a year. He then moved to Dallas county, where he spent two years, and in 1872 he came to Montague county, located in the Red River Valley. He made a prospecting tour in the spring of that same year and had purchased five hundred acres of valley land, where he took up his residence, giving his attention to its development and improvement. His remaining days were devoted to agricultural interests here and he remained upon the homestead farm until his death February 3, 1876, when he was seventy two years of age. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically he was a Whig in the ante-bellum days, but at the time of the Civil War he became a stanch Democrat, favored secession and remained loyal to the party until his death. His wife, Mary McGaughy, was a daughter of George Harris, a leading planter in Mississippi. Mrs. Mary McGaughy survived her husband and died February 25, 1876, at sixty eight years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William L. McGaughy were born 10 children: Marion P., G. W. D., Nehemiah R., James F., W. H., John, Benjamin, Henry Clay, Sally, who became the wife of J.M. Buchanan, and Mary J., who became the wife of Mr. Walton, who died in the army. Later she married Mr. Van Arsdale.

William L. McGaughy, and his wife, Mary, are buried at the Old Spanish Fort Cemetery at Spanish Fort, Texas.

Henry Clay McGaughy was reared in Mississippi and remained upon the old home plantation until after the Civil War. Although he was very young he was connected with the state militia during the war. He came to Texas with his father and the family in 1869. He moved to Montague county in the spring of 1872 and along with a brother and brother-in-law, returned to Mississippi, but Mr. McGaughy remained and improved the farm and cared for his parents throughout their remaining days. He had selected a level tract of country, very fertile and productive joining the Red River for his farm. Farming at that time was an experiment in Texas, for previously the land had been used simply as a cattle range and it was not known whether crops could be raised profitably or not. The grass was abundant and the range was free and the settlers devoted their energies to raising cattle. The country was sparsely settled and little actual farming was done. Mr. McGaughy began to open up and cultivate his land and he also gave a part of his time to the cattle and stock business, in which he continued as long as there was free pasturage. He was succeeding well when the county and pastures were taken up and fenced, so he disposed of his herd and only kept stock for the support of the farm. He raised both cattle and hogs. Farming became no longer an experiment in Montage county but a very profitable industry. Mr. McGaughy largely gave his attention to corn and cotton. He did much to improve his farm. He erected a spacious frame residence, good barns and outbuildings with home built upon a natural elevated building site with an excellent view of the farm and surrounding country. In 1887 Mr. McGaughy also embarked in the mercantile business, taking charge of a stock of general goods at Spanish Fort, Texas, which he conducted for twelve years. Mr. McGaughy and his family moved from the farm to Spanish Fort to live during this period of time. The merchandise for the store had to be brought by wagon from Sherman, Texas. After abandoning the mercantile business Mr. McGaughy gave his entire attention to his farming interest.

In 1880 Henry Clay McGaughy and Miss Miriah Calliehill (Minnie) Walden were married. Minnie Walden was born in Virginia in 1862 the daughter of Calliehill Minnice and Henrietta (Purcell) Walden, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Her father was a mechanic, plasterer, and bricklayer in Virginia in his younger days. He served throughout the Civil War with the Confederate Army in Virginia. He came to Texas in 1876 locating first in Grayson county, but in 1878 moved to Montague county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He also gave some attention to the stock business in the Indian Territory. His wife died September 13, 1904 after which he broke up housekeeping and made his home with Mrs. McGaughy. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church while his wife was a member of the Methodist Church. They had three children: Lillie, who became the wife of J. Damron; Minnie, the wife of Henry C. McGaughy; and R. E.. Mr. C. M. Walden died in 1917. Both Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Walden are buried in the Old Spanish Fort Cemetery in Montague county.

Henry C. McGaughy was a member of the Presbyterian Church and gave his political allegiance to the Democratic Party. Mrs. McGaughy was a member of the Methodist church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay McGaughy were born 4 children: Mary Roxie, born November 24, 1880, Spanish Fort, Texas, died May 18, 1975, Nocona, Texas, buried in the Nocona Cemetery, married Charlie R. Tucker, had no children; William Beall, born December 26, 1894, Spanish Fort, Texas, died October 16, 1966, buried in the New Spanish Fort Cemetery, Married Delia Ann Gill, had five children - Evelyn Inez, Geneva Lorraine, Dexter Eugene, William Baxter, and David Thomas; Henry Walden, born August 13, 1896, Spanish Fort, Texas, died October 26, 1968 buried in the Nocona Cemetery, married Alice Wade, had two sons - Henry Clay and James Wade; Bernice Ruth, orn February 25, 1907, Spanish Fort, Texas, died August 6, 1969, buried in the New Spanish Fort Cemetery, married Thomas Judson Gill, had two daughters - Marry Anna and Norma June.

Mr. and Mrs. McGaughy let a young man who came to Montague county, from Tennessee, Homer Foster make his home with them. He lived on the McGaughy farm until his death and he is buried in the New Spanish Fort Cemetery.

Henry Clay McGaughy died July 10, 1924, and he is buried in the Old Spanish Fort Cemetery, Spanish Fort, Texas.

Mrs. McGaughy later married Joe McMillan from Dallas, Texas, and had two step-children: Everett (Pete) and Margaret Ruth. Even after her marriage Minnie continued to make her home at the McGaughy farm until her death October 17, 1940. Minnie McGaughy McMillan is buried in the Old Spanish Fort Cemetery, Spanish Fort, Texas.