BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES FOR CLARK McKERCHER |
Clark McKercher, a member of the Association since 1916, passed away on March 4, 1932, in New York City, after a brief illness. He was born in Sydney, Ohio, March 9, 1872, the son of James and Samantha (Mitchell) McKercher. He was graduated from the National University at Washington, D. C., receiving the degrees of LL.B in 1900 and LL.M. in 1901. He was a member of the Union League, University and Racquet Clubs. His wife was formerly Nettie A. England of Washington, D. C. He began the practice of law in Washington, D. C., and entered the Department of Justice in 1907, as a Special Assistant United States Attorney General. He remained with the Department of Justice until 1913, when he came to New York and organized the firm of McKercher and Link, of which he was the senior partner. Mr. McKercher devoted his professional life to corporate and anti-trust problems. He became counsel for many nationally known trade associations and at the time of his death, he was recognized as one of the leading member of the bar devoting themselves to trade association problems. Mr. McKercher took a prominent part in many litigations involving the provisions of the Clayton Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Anti-Trust Laws. Few members of the bar equaled him in knowledge of his specialty. He was sincere and honest of his presentation of a cause. He loved nature and many of his happiest hours were spent in his garden. He was an enthusiastic sportsman. Nothing would deter him from his annual fishing trips. He craved the goodwill of everyone. His sunshiny disposition pervaded any conference at which he was present and brought the most partisan attorney or litigant to a fair viewpoint of the controversy, which led to its ultimate satisfactory settlement. He was not given to subterfuge. He was sincere. He loved life. The community has sustained a loss in his passing. (The Association of the Bar of the City of New York – Year Book 1932) pages 377 and 378. |
BIOGRAPHY OF FINLAY MCKERCHER |
| In financial circles Finlay McKercher is well known, his enterprise and ability leading him into important relations. He was born in Flint, Michigan, March 21, 1847, a twin, his sister Susan Ann Mckercher, shares his birthday. His father, Daniel McKercher, was a native of New York and followed farming as his life work. He died at Sioux City, Iowa, in 1900, having long survived his wife, who passed away during the childhood days of their son Finlay. Mrs. McKercher bore the maiden name of Florence McClandish and was also a native of New York. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Scotland. The family of Daniel and Florence McKercher numbered six children of whom Finlay is fifth in order of birth. Two of his sisters are yet living: Mrs. Jennie B. Gilbert, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Mrs. Susan A. Brookings, (his twin) of Portland, Oregon. In the public schools of New York, Finlay McKercher pursued his education. He removed to the Empire State during his childhood and made his home with his grandparents until fifteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. Returning to Michigan, he located in Bay City, where he engaged in clerking until 1862, when he responded to his country's call for troops and entered the military service. He was attached to the Army of the Cumberland at the headquaters of General Thomas and remained in that branch of the service until 1866, when he left the army. In the same year he secured a position as teller in the bank of Ware and Ellison of Sioux City, Iowa, there remaining for two years, after which he spent two years in the general mercantile business on Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota. The grasshopper plague made times so hard, however, that he was obliged to discontinue his business, and, going to Chicago, he entered the employ of a wholesale hardware house, for which he traveled for six years. At the end of that time he became credit man for a wholesale jewelry house, which he thus represented for six years. Subsequently he became vice president and manager of the Minneapolis Jewelry Manufacturing Company, which he assisted in organizing. After two years Mr. McKercher sold out and sought the opportunities northwest, going to Portland with Frank Peavey, a prominent grain man. He assisted in building elevators on the line of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company from this point to Spokane and also the million bushel elevator at Albina, in which enterprise he was financially interested. Shortly after his arrival in Portland he also organized the Oregon Building & Loan Association, of which he became the first secretary. After two years he severed his relations with the Pacific Coast Elevator Company, of which he was president during the period of organization, while later he became secretary. He afterward concentrated his entire attention upon the building and loan business and was active in establishing the Equitable Savings and Loan Associations, which is a reorganization of the above company and was reorganized in March, 1899. He continued as secretary of the company. This is one of the leading financial institutions of the city, of which further mention is made in connection with the chapter of business interests in this history. He is also vice president of the Butler Banking Company of Hood River, Oregon, and is the owner of an apple orchard of seventy acres in White Salmon valley, where he has his summer home, there enjoying rest and recreation from the onerous business cares that are imposed in the supervision of his extensive interests in Portland. On the 19th of July, 1870, Mr. McKercher was married in Moingona, Boone County, Iowa, to Miss Sarah Julia Hooker, a daughter of Morgan L. Hooker, a merchant and banker of that place. Mrs. McKercher passed away July 17, 1894, leaving five children, Ethel Crosby, at home; Jean who is a piano intructor at Yankton College, Yankton, South Dakota; Paul Riggs, who is an orchadist at White Salmon; Hattie Florence, who died in 1898, and Emma Lucille, who died in 1907. The family reside at No. 355 east Eight street, North, in Holliday's addition. Mr. McKercher has been identified with the prohibition party since 1884 and is recognized as one of its most active and efficient workers. He has been a candidate for nearly every local and state office save that of governor. He has for some time been working hand in hand with U'Ren in securing for the state the initiative and referendum, the direct primary law, the recall of public officials, the proportional representation law, the corrupt practices act and other measures of a reform character. He is an earnest worker in behalf of any movement to abolish personal privileges and political abuses and stands for all that is highest and best in citizenship. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has attained the Knights Templar degree. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows society, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the First Presbyterian church, associations which indicate much of the nature of is interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His entire life has been marked by progress and he stands as an advocate of all that is most worthy inmaterial, intellectual, political and moral lines. (As it appears in PORTLAND, OREGON - ITS HISTORY AND BUILDERS by Joseph Gaston - Volume III, published in 1911) |
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES FOR JEAN MCKERCHER |
Miss Jean McKercher, 664 Lovejoy Street, was adjudged winner yesterday of the “On-to-Oregon” march contest sponsored by the Fox Broadway Theater, and to her goes the $50.00 prize offered by the theater. Miss McKercher’s composition was first in a field of more than 60 entries which, from the very nature of the contest, was considered an unusual number. The judges who made the award were John T. Crossley and Eric V. Hauser, associated with the On-to-Oregon, Inc., and Herman Kenin, musical director at the Fox Broadway Theater. The Fox Broadway has dedicated Miss Mckercher’s number to On-to-Oregon, Inc., the organization of representative business leaders who have embarked upon an expansive advertising and publicity campaign for this state. This On-to-Oregon march, a spirited number, will be played first by the Fox Broadway stage band during the week starting next Thursday. Jim Taft, cellist and arranger, already is at work preparing an instrumental and vocal arrangement. Plans also are afoot to have the song printed in proper form for the use of civic and luncheon clubs. Arrangements similar to that used by the theater band also will be available for all musical groups and marching orders.(As it appeared in the Morning Oregonian, May 17, 1930) |
BIOGRAPHY AND FAMILY HISTORY JOHN MCKERCHER |
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JOHN MCKERCHER - Retired from active business, our subject is at present County Superintendent of the Poor. He is also secretary of the school Board, having occupied that position for three years. Mr. McKercher was born in Livingston, County, New York, January 14, 1840, and is the son of Daniel and Florence (McCandlish) McKercher, the father being a farmer.
When but four years old our subject was brought to Flint (Michigan) by his parents, the senior Mr. McKercher having located one hundred and sixty acres of land south-west of the city of Flint. The land was in its primitive state, there not even being roads cut through and our subject well remembers the trying times of that period. The father remained on this place for thirty years; the mother died when our subject was but twelve years old. Daniel McKercher was Clerk of Flint Township and was respected wherever known. Our subject was given the advantages of a very good education which with the training he received on the farm enabled him to make a good start for himself. He apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner and was very successful in his work in this county. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. McKercher enlisted in Company B. First Michigan Engineers, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, but afterward was changed to the Army of the Tennessee. He saw much active fighting, having participated in the battles of LaVergne, Tenn., Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and many others and after a brave and loyal service of three years was discharged. After his return form the army Mr. McKercher again located in Flint and followed his trade a few years when he entered the carpentry department of the deaf institution, remaining there for a term. In 1883 he opened a general merchandise store in New Lothrop, Shiawassee County, conduction the same for two years, when he again returned to Flint and engaged in the same business for two years more. Our subject was then elected City Treasurer and having a good opportunity to dispose of his business he did so and served his city two terms in the above-named office, giving satisfaction to all. Previous to this time he acted as Supervisor of his Ward for two years. Socially he is identified with the Genesee Commandery, K.T., No. 15, is the present Master of Flint Lodge No. 23, High Priest of Washington Chapter, No. 15, and thrice Illustrious Master of Flint Council, No. 56. John M. McKercher was married January 11, 1867, to Miss Matilda E. Atkin, daughter of the Hon. R.P. Atkin. Mrs. McKercher was born in Flint Township, December 21, 1847. They have become parents of one child, a daughter, Grace I. Both our subject and his wife are prominent members of the Episcopal Church and are most highly respected residents of Flint. (Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscala Counties –Michigan- by Chapman Brothers.Page 706) |
BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM MARTIN MCKERCHER |
| Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. today in the First Baptist church for William Martin McKercher, 86, a Sioux City an nearly 60 years and a special agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, who died Thursday night at his home, 2325 Douglas Street, after a two-week illness. Rev. S.D. Huff will officiate and burial will be in Graceland Park cemetery. Masonic rites will be conducted at the graveside. Pallbearers will be Robert Terry, Robert Beaty, Dr. Allen C. Starry, E.C.R. Edmond Scott Burpee and J. W. Sturtevant. In charge of arrangements is the Rutledge mortuary. Mr. McKercher was born in Flint, Michigan, January 7, 1855. He Spent his boyhood in Michigan and New York. He came to Sioux City as a youth of 18 and first worked in a grocery - "sweeping out, selling prunes and driving a delivery wagon from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.," - as he himself used to boast, recalling an era of employment when no one dreamed of such a thing as an eight-hour day and time-and-a-half for overtime. Enters Insurance Line. Some of the early day business concerns with which Mr. McKercher was identified as a young man were those of Gilbert & Hale, grocerymen, Guy Gilbert being his brother-in-law, and Goewey & Co. And Peavey Bros., hardware dealers. He spent part of his time in Sioux City and part of the time on the road, having been one of the well known traveling salesmen of the 80's. He also represented Chicago hardware wholesalers on the road. In 1888 he joined the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company of Milwaukee, and during the remainder of his like continued in the insurance business. He was steadily advanced by his company and in 1903 became general agent, with 20 northwest Iowa counties as his territory and Sioux City as his headquaters. After retiring form the general agency he continued as a special agent and was fairly active up to a short time before his death. He and Mrs. McKercher, the former Eva Wilson, celebrated their golden wedding here in 1926 at a large reception at their home, across 24th Street from Grandview park. Mrs. McKercher was a native of Pleasant Valley, Ia., and the daughter of Dr. Thomas Wilson. She preceded her husband in death a few years ago. Leader in Church, Mr. McKercher was prominent in Baptist affairs. For years he was on the board of deacons of the First Baptist church from the time when it was located at Fifth and Nebraska streets. At one time he was president of the Iowa State Baptist organization and for 10 years he was transportation leader of the Baptist Young People's union. In his more youthful days Mr. McKercher was identified with the Iowa National Guard. He was one of the first members of Company H. And with that group in 1889 attended the inauguration of President Benjamin Harrison in Washington. For five years he was quartermaster of the old Fourth regiment, with the rank of lieutenant. He was affiliated with various branches of Masonry and was a past grand master of Landmark lodge. Before the days of a paid fire department in Sioux City he was a volunteer fireman. (As it appeared in the Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, May 2, 1942) |