JOHN McCABE, well-known in business circles in Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 11, 1828. His father, John McCabe, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, but was taken to Ohio when quite young by his parents; there he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1844. In that year he emigrated to Indiana and settled in Marion county; here he resumed his occupation, remaining for three years. In 1847 he came to Illinois, and settled in the town of Woodland; he afterward entered a tract of land on which he erected a log house; he followed his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in the war. He died in 1863, while in the service. His wife died in Rushville, Illinois. They reared a family of eight children. Our subject resided with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself; he had worked in a brickyard three or four seasons, and at the age of twenty-two years he embarked in this business on his own account. His first yard was at Littleton, where he conducted a business for two years; thence he removed to Macomb, where he continued until 1862. In June of that year he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. The most important battles in which he participated were Stone River and Chickamauga; in the latter he was wounded, and so disabled from active duty in the field; when he had sufficiently recovered he was made hospital steward, and served the remainder of the war in that capacity. He was mustered out in August, 1865, after which he returned to Macomb. There he remained until the spring of 1866, when he came to Rushville and engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1879 he added machinery for the manufacture of tile, and his products find a ready sale at the yard.

Mr. McCabe was married in 1851, to Mary Clark, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Henry and Margaret Clark. Four children have been born to them: James is engaged in business with his father; Arthur is a resident of Versailles, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine; Howard C. lives in Rushville; Cora married Allen Walker, and also resides in Rushville; two children died in infancy. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the father joined in May, 1842, and the mother ten years later. For thirty years Mr. McCabe has been Steward of his church. He is a zealous advocate of temperance, and an ardent supporter of the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Tile Manufacturers' Association, and has been treasurer of this body for a number of years. He belongs to Colonel Horney Post, No. 156, G.A.R., and is actively interested in its welfare. He is a man of energy and entertains progressive views upon questions of public interest, supporting those movements which tend to aid and elevate the masses.