MCCLURE, MILTON (deceased). - When death removes from a community one of its strong pillars of thought and action, extinguishing a life which had developed during a full generation, in acknowledged companionship with its leading minds, there is a deep sense of loss in that community. When such a life has long impressed itself as a potent individuality upon the growth of all public interests, this loss seems indeed to be irreparable. This was the general sentiment among the representative classes of Beardstown on April 9, 1913, when the career of Milton McClure, one of its most distinguished and deeply valued citizens, came to an end.

The birth of Milton McClure took place on a farm in Macoupin County, Ill., September 3, 1858. He was a son of James E. and Ellen McClure, of Carlinville, Macoupin County, in the same state. He received his early education in the public schools of Macoupin County and in Blackburn University at Carlinville. After teaching school for a while in Macoupin County, he became professor of mathematics in Blackburn College, afterwards attending the University of Iowa, where he studied law. His class numbered 130, among whom were future governors of states, United States senators, congressmen and district judges, and his only competitor for the highest honors of the class was Hon. John L. Kemus, now of Omaha, Nebr. On completing his collegiate course he located at Beardstown, in 1883, and then began that process of development which elevated him to a place among the foremost lawyers of Illinois. His practice extended far beyond the local limits, and it is said that his briefs before the higher courts were among the best known models of conciseness and strength. He gave close attention to all his cases, leaving no point untouched, and the interests of every client were safe in his hands, because of his honesty and his exhaustive study. For his high qualities as a lawyer and as a citizen, that were conspicuous throughout his career of thirty years in Beardstown, he was everywhere honored and held in the utmost respect by all who knew him. During this long period he mastered the laws pertaining to the drainage district and public improvements, originating much of the legislation for the drainage districts and for the work of corporation paving.

In 1885 Mr. McClure was united in marriage with Rose Orwig, a daughter of William and Jane Orwig, of Beardstown. They had two children: Lloyd, a practicing lawyer, now twenty-five years of age; and a daughter, who died in infancy. Mr. McClure, besides his immediate family, left three brothers: Col. Charles M., of Washington, D.C.; Frank, of Louisiana; and James E., of Carlinville, also one sister, Mrs. Jesse Peebles, of Carlinville.

In religious belief Mr. McClure was a Congregationalist, and his whole life was modeled after the highest Christian standard. In financing and erecting the new Congregational church in Beardstown he took an active and important part. Politically he was a lifelong Republican, although never ambitious for public office. He was a candidate but once, when, in 1909, he was nominated by the Republicans of the Fourth Judicial District of Illinois to represent the district on the Supreme bench.