| Other People | Frank J. Bradley | Olive Rambo Cook | Jerry Litton | | |||
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Past and Present of Livingston County Volume 2. Biographies by Major A. J. Roof. 1913 |
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Page 132-136
Photo available
Lewis McCoskrie, cultivating the farm upon which he was born, on section 32, Mooresville township, is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families in Livingston county and is today a prominent and successful agriculturist and stockman. His birth occurred January 31, 1866, and he is a son of Andrew and Minerva A. (Fryar) McCoskrie. The grandfather of the subject of this review, Isaac McCoskrie, came to Livingston county in 1818 from Kentucky and lived here alone until 1821,
struggling against pioneer conditions and obstacles and finally gaining a sufficient degree of prosperity to enable him to bring his family into the state, his wife joining him in Clay county in that year. The father of the subject of this review was five years of age when he made his first settlement in Livingston county and he grew up on the family homestead, afterward becoming its owner. He was a man of upright, straightforward and kindly characteristics and became in the course of years widely popular in this section of the state. He possessed probably more influence than any other one individual and was often called upon to settle disputes arising among his neighbors, gaining by his work along this line the honorable title of "The Peacemaker." He died at the age of eighty-one, after a long, useful and honorable life, his activities and accomplishments having found a place in the history of the agricultural development of Livingston county. He was buried in the McCoskrie cemetery, called in honor of the founder of this family in Missouri, the site of which was selected by the grandmother of the subject of this review and who was laid to rest in the first grave dug therein in 1839. The mother of our subject passed away February 7, 1912, and rests beside her husband.
Lewis McCoskrie acquired his education in the Livingston county public schools but his advantages along this line were extremely limited and he is to a great extent self-educated, having supplemented his early training by constant reading and observation in mature years. He was reared to the occupation of farming and has made this his principal interest all during his life, standing today among the men whose experience and practical knowledge constitute them standard authorities upon all matters pertaining to general agriculture. He has been the owner and manager of the family homestead of hundred and thirty-five acres on section 32, Mooresville township, for twenty-six years and has made it by his care, well directed labor and practical methods one of the most valuable and most highly productive properties in this section of the state. He has made substantial improvements upon it, replacing the original home by a modern and well equipped residence. He does general farming and is also extensively interested in stock raising, both of these branches of his work having become extremely profitable under his able management, as is also his poultry-raising, in which he is interested to a considerable extent, having sometimes as many as twelve hundred fowl. Everything about the place is kept in excellent condition and reflects the care and supervision of an able, experienced and practical agriculturist.
On February 17, 1885, Mr. McCoskrie was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma F. Bryan, a daughter of J. S. and Camma (Parker) Bryan, representatives of old pioneer families. They make their home in Monroe township. Mrs. McCoskrie passed away February 9, 1912, leaving six children: Florence C., the wife of Claude Hinote, of Kansas City; Rena, who resides at home; Irwin, Ensel and Cole, who are attending school; and Evelyn.
Mr. McCoskrie is a democrat in his political beliefs, and fraternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He stands today among the successful and prominent men of this locality as a prosperous farmer and as a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families. His life has not been without its reverses and discouragements, among which have been sickness and death, but these have been met bravely and faced with confidence and courage - qualities which have ever distinguished Mr. McCoskrie in his struggle upward to success.