McDonough ILGenWeb

AGNEW, Henry Clay (deceased), formerly a prominent lawyer of Macomb, Ill., was born in Bethel Township, McDonough County, October 4 1852, a son of Samuel and Mary (Wilson) Agnew, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Columbiana County, Ohio. His maternal grandparents were Samuel and Sarah (Crow) Wilson. Mr. Agnew received his early education in the public schools of McDonough and Warren Counties and at the old Normal College, Macomb. From 1870 to 1876 he was engaged in teaching school in McDonough, Warren and Tazewell Counties. In 1876 he entered the law department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, and was graduated from that institution in June, 1877. Until 1879 he taught school, and then commenced the practice of law in Macomb. Politically, Mr. Agnew was a Republican and was influential in the councils of his party. In 1882 Mr. Agnew was elected City Attorney of Macomb and in 1884 was elected to the office of State's Attorney of McDonough County. He served as a member of the Macomb School Board and City Council, and at the time of his death, was serving as Master in Chancery.

On July 18, 1894, Mr. Agnew was united in marriage with Josephine Cleveland. Two children resulted from their union, namely: Nellie J. Agnew and Henry Clay Agnew, Jr.  Fraternally, the subject of this sketch was a member of the A. O. U. W., M. W. A., I. O. O. F., and K. of P. Mr. Agnew died September 28, 1902 leaving a stainless record behind him. As a lawyer, his standing was high; in his public career he was faithful to duty; in domestic life he was a model husband and father; socially, he was greatly esteemed, and his death was deeply lamented.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 808-809. Submitted by Joanne Scobee Morgan <morgans4@swbell.net