Charles McClure, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising one mile west of Delaware, was born on the 17th of September, 1870, in Illinois, a son of George and Mattie (Powers) McClure. Both parents were born in Illinois and the father farmed there until 1879, when he removed to Kansas, locating near Liberty. He was active in agricultural pursuits there until a few days previous to his death, which occurred in 1908. Mrs. McClure died when Charles O. was but an infant. In the family were eight sons Harvey G., Edward A., Bert, John, Mead, Clyde, Claude and Charles O. Harvey met his death in a passenger elevator accident in Denver, Colorado, on the 7th of March, 1896.
In the acquirement of an education, Charles O. McClure attended the public schools of Liberty, Kansas, and came to Indian Territory in September, 1883. Locating in Nowata county, lie engaged in farming for others until 1889, when he homesteaded his present place of one hundred and twenty acres one mile west of Delaware. He has since farmed here and raises stock, specializing in spotted Poland China hogs, which he finds very profitable. He likewise has some fine milk cows and a few head of horses. Mr. McClure has made all of the improvements on his farm and it is one of the show places of the county with its modern home and outbuildings.
On the 25th of November, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McClure and Miss Mary V. Zane, a native of Nowata county, and a daughter of Jefferson and Matilda (Secondine) Zane. Her mother is a sister of Mrs. Mary Bezoin and Fillmore Secondine, both prominent in the early history of Indian Territory. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McClure three children have been born Bertha Florence; O. J., who is twenty-four years of age and a veteran of the World war; and Edward, who was born on the 31st of July, 1899, and died on the 24th of November, 1905. The daughter married James A. Walton, a native of Indian Territory, who was killed on the 15th of October, 1921, by the explosion of a gasoline engine at Burkburnett, Texas, where he was employed by the Title Western Gasoline Company as chief engineer. He was a prominent member of the Masonic lodge at Nowata. Mrs. Walton is now making her home with her father. She has one child, Charles Orion, five years of age. She is an active member of the Eastern Star Lodge at
Delaware and takes an interest in club and social activities.
Politically, Mr. McClure gives his allegiance to the Democratic Party and the principles for which it stands, and his religious faith is that of the Baptist Churh. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of Nowata county, and his aid may be counted upon in the furtherance of any movement for the betterment of the general welfare.