William H. McCall, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of William H. McCall
WILLIAM H. McCALL.
William H. McCall, deceased, was one of the leading residents of Lancaster county, having a nation-wide reputation as a breeder of Holstein cattle. He resided on section it, Grant precinct, and devoted his entire time to stock-raising. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri, on the 15th of February, 1858, and his death occurred on the 22d of June, 1899. His parents, Robert and Eliza (Hayworth) McCall, were born in Tennessee but became residents of Missouri, where the father practiced medicine and engaged in farming. During his later years he passed the winters in California and the summers in Missouri and his death occurred in that state in March, 1885. His wife survived only until the following October.
William H. McCall was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of Hannibal, Missouri. He remained with his parents until 1886, when he came to Lancaster county, and purchased eighty acres on section II, Grant precinct, which he at once began to improve. He was engaged exclusively in raising thoroughbred Holstein cattle and exhibited at state fairs in various parts of the country, including those of Georgia and Florida. He won many prizes upon his entries and was known in stock-raising circles throughout the country as one of the most successful breeders of Holsteins.
In April, 1884, Mr. McCall was married to Miss Ada Blachley, a daughter of Orem and Belinda (Bartholomew) Blachley. The father was born in Ohio and accompanied his parents to Porter county, Indiana, when seven years of age. He grew to manhood there and after reaching mature years engaged in farming in that state for a considerable period but at length removed to Missouri. He passed away while on a visit in Nebraska in November, 1903, and was survived by his wife until June, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. McCall were born five children, namely: Harry, who is connected with the wholesale furniture business in Lincoln; Orem, who is operating the homestead; Leora, the wife of L. A. Doom, of Lincoln; and Earl and Drusilla, at home.
Mr. McCall supported the republican party at the polls but was never an aspirant for office. He belonged to the Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. His success was doubly creditable in that it was due entirely to his own efforts and he not only prospered individually but he also contributed in large measure to the development of stock-raising interests in eastern Nebraska. Personally he was popular, for his dominant characteristics were such as invariably command both respect and warm regard.
Source: Sawyer, Andrew J. 1916. Lincoln: The Capital City and Lancaster County, Nebraska. Volume II. Chicago, Ilinois: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 811 p.
Page(s) in Source: 401-402
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook