Kentucky:  A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed.,
1886. Warren County.

HON. CLARENCE U. McELROY, a member of the Skiles family (a sketch of whom
will be found elsewhere), was born in Lebanon, Marion County, Ky.  His
paternal grandparents came from Virginia about the beginning of the
present century, and located in Marion County, Ky., where a large family
of the name now reside.  The McElroy family came from Scotland more than
two centuries ago, and in a large measure maintain the sterling qualities
of brain and heart which characterized the old Scotch Presbyterians of
famous memory.  The mother of Mr. McElroy was a daughter of W. H. Skiles,
and a sister of the Hon. H. H. Skiles; she died in his early infancy and
he was chiefly reared by his maternal kindred in Warren County.  He
received a liberal education through the united kindness and generosity
of his grandfather and uncle.  For three years he attended an academy at
Anchorage, Ky.; then entered Centre College at Danville, and graduated
from that institution with class honors in 1867.  He read law at
Clarksville, Tenn., under the direction of the firm of Hornberger & House.
In 1870 he began the practice of his profession in Bowling Green.  His
eloquence as an advocate and his extensive knowledge of law soon secured
him public attention and patronage.  In 1873 he formed a partnership with
Hon. D. W. Wright, which has since continued.  Mr. McElroy's entrance into
public life was a great surprise to himself.  The Democratic State
Convention which assembled in Louisville in 1876, nominated him as a
candidate for election to the Third Congressional District. In August,
1877, he was elected to represent Warren County in the Kentucky
Legislature.  He at once rose to prominence and gained the confidence of
the General Assembly, as well as of his constituents.  In 1879 he was
re-elected to the same office and made chairman of the judiciary
committee, and also a member of the ways and means committee, and of codes
and practices.  He was the author of the first act to regulate railroads
in the State and prevent unjust discrimination, which, after a protracted
and heated discussion, passed the House and culminated in the Senate in
the Railroad Commission.  He was elected again in 1881 to the same
position; was a candidate for the speakership of the House, and was
defeated by one vote; then a second time was elected chairman of the
judiciary committee; was also a member of the committee on codes and
education.  He was the author of the act passed during that session which
saved the common school system from the danger of repeal on the one hand,
and from the odium of mixed schools of the races on the other.  In 1880 he
was nominated at Lexington as assistant elector for the State at large. 
In 1883 was returned again to the General Assembly, of which he is still a
member.  In 1882 he was a candidate for Congress; Judge A. G. Rhea, of
Logan County; Col. S. P. Love, of Muhlenburg [sic] County, and Hon. John E.
Halsel, of Warren County, were also candidates.  Mr. McElroy voluntarily
withdrew his name, before the nominating committee was called, in order to
secure harmony and success in the district, made doubtful by the bill
passed the session before to redistrict the State.  Subsequent events
justified his apprehension of danger to the party, for after the most
heated, costly and united fight ever made in the district, the Democrats
were victorious by a majority of only 180 votes.  Mr. McElroy has served
the people of his county and State for eight consecutive years, a longer
period of continuous service as State legislator than any man who ever
represented Warren County.  Mr. McElroy possesses a good business and
wields a potent influence in State policy and in all affairs of local
concern.  He has always been a hard student.  His youthful activity, his
wide experience in public affairs and his liberal culture will justify any
prediction of his future.

McElroy Skiles Hornberger House Wright Rhea Love Halsel
=
Lebanon-Marion-KY Scotland Anchorage-Jefferson-KY Danville-Boyle-KY TN
Lexington-Fayette-KY Logan-KY Muhlenberg-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/warren/mcelroy.cu.txt