James I. McGrew

    James I. McGrew, general merchant, Montpelier, and one of the leading business men of the place, was born in Warren. Huntington County, Indiana, December 26, 1836, a son of Noah and Elizabeth (Thompson) McGrew. The father of our subject was a native of Old Virginia, and when a child was brought by his parents to Darke County, Ohio, where they were among the pioneers. There he grew to manhood, and married Elizabeth Thompson, a native of Preble County, Ohio. In 1833 they came to Indiana, locating in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, and their daughter, Mary Jane, now the wife of Hiram Brown, of Warren, was the first white child born in that township, her birth taking place in 1834. Game of all kinds was in abundance in Huntington County when they located there, but Noah McGrew was not much of a hunter, and did not devote much time to that sport. His wife died in 1840. He resided at Warren until his death, which occurred November 3, 1860. Politically he was a Democrat.

    J. I. McGrew, whose name heads this sketch, was reared at his birthplace, and his first occupation was as a clerk in a dry goods establishment. He began learning the shoemaker's trade, but after working at it ten months he gave it up, and again entered a dry goods store as clerk. In 1859 he accompanied Daniel Stroup, George Good and Hiram Gill, old pioneers, on a trip across the plains to Pike's Peak, Colorado, and on his return home he again clerked in a dry goods store.

    He was united in marriage in Huntington County, June 2, 1860, to Miss Henrietta Lounsberry, a daughter of Smith Lounsberry , one of early settlers of Jackson Township, Wells County. Of the six children born to them one daughter, Elizabeth, is deceased. Those living are -Inez, wife of S. B. Twibell; Eva; Elna, wife of William S. Brannum, county auditor; Luella and Charlie.

    In 1867 Mr. McGrew came with his family to Blackford County and engaged in the general mercantile business with Adam Wolf, of Muncie and Myron Smith, of Warren, which partnership continued until 1879, since which time Mr. McGrew has been in business alone . His stock consists of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries, queensware and glassware, and is valued at about $5,000, and by strict attention to his business, and his accommodating manners he has built up a good trade. In politics Mr. McGrew is a Republican. He served one term as commissioner of Blackford County, being elected to that office in 1872. He is a member of the Christian Church.

    For about five years prior to 1877, an organized band of thieves existed in Montpelier and vicinity, the leader being Kider Kreutzer, and in the year just mentioned, a number of prominent men of Blackford County, headed by a Pinkerton detective , unearthed and arrested the gang. Kreutzer swore that Mr. McGrew would never testify against them, and he then tried to kill him. January 4, 1877, they commenced preliminary examination, and when Mr. McGrew was called to testify, Kreutzer came down to prevent him. They met at the southeast corner of the public square, where are subject was attacked by Kreutzer, and each fired three shots. Mr. McGrew's first shot took effect on his assailant, who died thirty minutes later. One ball struck the lapel of Mr. McGrew's coat but did not hurt him. The latter gave himself up to the sheriff, but no bill was found against him, the unanimous sentiment of the community being on his side, and the reasons for this course were put on the records of the county. The band was then broken up, and several of the members sent to the penitentiary.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.