Fayette Co., AL: Benjamin F. McCLURE

Benjamin F. McCLURE, a prominent farmer of Fayette county, was born in the same county, June 7, 1839. He is the ninth of a family of ten children born to John and Ellen (PHELPS) McCLURE, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Alabama. John McCLURE came to Alabama in 1820, and engaged in farming until his death in 1858. Benjamin McCLURE was reared in Alabama and was educated in the private schools of this state. He has followed farming and is one of the most extensive farmers in the county. He owns 1,200 acres of land, 300 of which are under a high state of cultivation.

He has been married twice, first, in 1860, to Josephine MILES, a native of South Carolina. To this marriage there was born one child, Melissa C. In 1867 he married Miss Ellen ANDERSON of Alabama.

Mr. McCLURE enlisted in 1862 in company F, Thirteenth Alabama battalion of cavalry, and served therein until the close of the war. In this year the Thirteenth and First Alabama battalions were consolidated and became the Fifty-sixth. He served in many of the important battles of the war, among them being the fight at New Hope church, and the Georgia campaign from beginning to end. He was in FORREST's raid in northern Mississippi. He was wounded in the thigh by a shell at Atlanta; but was out of service but a short time. He returned to his command and afterward was neither wounded nor captured.

Mr. McCLURE is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, as are also the other members of his family. He is also a member of the order of Odd Fellows. He is a strong democrat, but has never sought for any office in the county. He was one of the guards who accompanied Jefferson DAVIS when he carried the treasure of the failing Confederacy through the Carolinas. He has always contributed liberally to the support of public institutions, such as schools, churches and other praiseworthy objects.