ISAIAH McCOY.
The traveler or historian passing through Decatur county should not fail to call upon Isaiah McCoy, of Adams township, as unquestionably he is one of the oldest inhabitants, in years of continuous residence; and perhaps to him should be awarded the honor of having dwelt in this county longer
than any other person. At any rate he has dwelt here for four-score years, and well remembers the long years of hardship and toil which he, in common with other members of his family, endured prior to the arrival of settlers in this locality. He is an exceedingly interesting converser, and one is held spellbound by the narration of the experiences of the venerable man, whose life began during the first war of the United States in this century and whose life is drawing to a close in these last days of the century, when another war for humanity has just rounded out this memorable cycle.
William McCoy, father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and as he was born about 1762 he was not old enough to be admitted to the continental army when the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. The youth possessed the true patriotic spirit, however, and in 1777 he enlisted and served in the ranks for five years, or until the colonists were triumphant. He participated in numerous hotly contested battles, and at Cowpens a bullet grazed his head, cutting a swath through his hair, while another bullet lodged in his hip. He continued to carry the British lead with him throughout life, and death did not claim him until he was eighty-four years old. Plucky and daring, he would not enter a hospital for treatment, but bore his sufferings with fortitude, and a splendid constitution carried him through the trouble. Having a strong love of adventure, which his army life had fostered, he shipped on board a sailing vessel, at the close of the war, and went to Africa, for the ship was engaged in the slave trade. One day, while he and a companion were on shore, the ship weighed anchor and sailed without them, and three long, dreadful months dragged by ere they were taken away by another vessel which stopped at that port. His experiences by that time had been sufficient to last him for the remainder of his life, and he returned to Virginia, where he settled down to the quiet routine of a farmer. He married and had seven children, and some time subsequent to the death of his first wife he wedded Nancy Waple. She departed this life in 1835, leaving six children. Later Mr. McCoy removed with his family to Kentucky, and in 1819 came to Decatur county. Taking up a tract of wild land, he proceeded to clear and improve it, and for a number of years he operated the Shellhorn mill, which was the first mill built in this county and which received the patronage of the pioneers from quite distant places. While visiting his son in Louisville, Kentucky, he died quite suddenly, but his life-work had been well rounded and he was ready to receive the summons.
Isaiah McCoy, who was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, February 23, 1814, was five years of age when he came to this county, and now, eighty years afterward, he is living upon the same farm which has been the scene of his life work during this long period. Of his father's family of thirteen children he is now the only survivor, and with a sigh which cannot be restrained he often recalls the large and happy group that used to assemble around the table, which was frequently quite bare of provisions in the early days, but which, upon the other hand, sometimes groaned under the weight of wild turkeys, venison and other game, together with such delicacies as the thrifty housekeeper skillfully concocted. Corn cakes were used to a great extent, and several years passed after the arrival of the family in this county ere they enjoyed the luxury of white wheat bread.
Needless to say, Isaiah McCoy had no educational advantages whatever, and years rolled away before there were enough children in this section of the township to constitute a small school. He was a strong lad, and at a very early age he was set to work at splitting rails for fences, and other tasks which required great strength and endurance. Probably there is no man living today in Decatur county who has made one- half as many rails as he, and the usual work of clearing also fell to his share.
An important step in life was taken by Mr. McCoy when, on the 8th of November, 1837, he married Mary Short, whose birth had occurred near Madison, Indiana, January 8, 1816. The young couple were poor, but they energetically began farming on a rented place, and at the end of five or six years had saved about four hundred dollars, which they invested in eighty acres of the place now owned by our subject. As he could afford it, he bought more property until he now has in the home place some three hundred acres of valuable and well improved land.
For fifty-four years Mr. and Mrs. McCoy pursued the journey of life together, and then the devoted wife and mother was summoned to the better land, her death occurring May 6, 1891. Of their seven children, all but one, Nancy V., survive. John Nelson, born July 30, 1839, and Benjamin Franklin, born in April, 1842, were of great assistance to their father for years on the old homestead. Eliza Ellen, born July 12, 1844; Julia F., born November 22, 1847; Courtney Ann, born in September, 1850, and Amanda Jane, born June 10, 1854, were the younger members of the family.
In his political belief Mr. McCoy is a Republican, and prior to the organization of this party he was affiliated with the Whigs, as was his father before him. His cheerful disposition and way of looking upon the bright side of things are, in part, reasons for his popularity, and doubtless have conduced to his length of days.
