Above scanned from "As Time Goes By", 1877-1977 Odebolt, Iowa
Centennial book
printed by The Odebolt Chronicle, May 1977
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Source: Sac County, Iowa, by William H. Hart,
B.F. Bowen and Co., Inc, Indianapolis, IN, 1914, p. 833
The sons of Scotland who have come to America and made homes in this country have been among the most prosperous citizens wherever they settled. Some of these have come to Iowa, and Sac County is proud to number a few of these thrifty people among her number. The McGeachys who have come to this country from Scotland have been reckoned among the most prosperous and substantial people of the county and have shown those characteristics, which have made their native land famous in history.
Donald McGeachy, the son of Malcolm and Jean McGeachy, was born November 12, 1850, at Glenbar, Argyleshire, Scotland. He received a good common school education in his native country, and at the age of twenty-three decided to come to America and seek his fortune. Upon reaching this country he immediately went to Iowa and settled in Clinton, Clinton County, where he worked in a saw mill for six years. He wanted to invest in land, and with this in view he saved his money in order to make a cash payment on his first purchase. In 1879 he came to Sac County and lived on a farm in the western part of Clinton Township for eleven years. In 1890 he came to his present farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Clinton Township, where he was farming at the time of his death, on January 10, 1907. He was a thrifty farmer and used good judgment in all his agricultural ventures. In addition to raising all the crops of this locality, he raised considerable live stock each year.
In 1891 Mr. McGeachy returned to Scotland and Married Jeannette Huie, who was born February 21, 1862, in Argyleshire, Scotland. To this marriage have been born seven children: Maria Stuart; Jane L., a graduate from the Odebolt high school and is now a teacher; Malcolm, who works on the home farm; Jeannette, a graduate of the Odebolt high school; Margaret and Mary, who are now in the Odebolt high school, and John, who is still in the common school. All of the children are still at home with their mother.
Mr. And Mrs. McGeachy gave to all of their children a good education, feeling that there was nothing which would fit them better for the coming years of life than a good education.
Mr. McGeachy was a member of the Presbyterian church, and rendered it his earnest support at all times. He was a warm-hearted, generous friend and modest and unassuming in all his relations with his fellow men. He was a man of sound conviction, and no one ever had any doubt as to where he stood upon any question. The memory of such a man will be cherished by his friends and honored by his children. Mr. McGeachy was a man of sterling worth. Thoroughly honest, his word was as good as his bond. Quiet and unassuming, his good impulses were always uppermost and his friendship was valued by those who knew him well. He was devoted to his wife and children, and they to him.
(transcribed by B. Horak)