Francis A. McCarty was one of the most remarkably successful business men who ever resided in Douglas County. He was born in Schuyler County, New York, April 23, 1837, and died at his home in Filson, May 14, 1899. He was a son of John and Laura (Frost) McCarty, natives of New England.
Charles McCarty, brother of Joseph McCarty, was born at Morristown, New Jersey, in 1776, and died in Montour, Schuyler County. New York, November 15, 1858, in his eighty-third year. Joseph McCarty (grandfather) was the father of John, Charles, William and David, was born January 9, 1778, and died July 25. 1845. His wife, Mary Harnerd McCarty, was born August 15, 1774, and died January 20, 1846. John McCarty (father), son of Joseph, was born May 15, 1805, and died January 14. 1875. Joseph Frost (grandfather) was born June 4, 1797, married Sallie McCarty, and died October 27, 1847. He was a son of Joseph Frost, a soldier of the Revolution, who was burn May 22, 1754, and died May 28, 1844, at Catherine, New York. He married Lucy Couch, a daughter of Jonathan Couch, who was married September 19, 1781, died April 8, 1843, and was buried at Catherine, New York. Appended herewith is a certificate from the Adjutant General’s office of the state of Connecticut: “Hartford, September 11, 1895.
This is to certify that Joseph Frost (grandfather of Francis A. McCarty) served in the war of the Revolution, and the following is his service according to the records of this office ; Private in Colonel Benjamin Hinman’s regiment. Discharged in northern department September 11, 1775. Private in Captain Elijah Able’s company, Colonel Philip Burr. Bradley’s regiment. Enlisted June 16, 1776. Discharged November 16, 1777. Prisoner at Fort Washington.” He was a resident until 1803 of Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, when with his family he removed to Schuyler County, New York, where he re-sided until his death. He and two of his brothers were made prisoners when Lord Howe captured Fort Washington, in November, 1776. They suffered great hardship in a British prison hulk in New York Bay, and the two brothers died while prisoners. Joseph Frost was wounded in battle and received a pension up until the time of his death.
Francis A. McCarty was reared and educated at Catherine, New York, and also attended Lima (New York) Seminary. February 12, 1879, he married Miss Emma Young of Binghamton, New York who was a daughter of William and Caroline B. (Munder) Young. They were both natives of Germany. Mrs. McCarty has in her possession a medal given her grandfather, Jacob M under by the King of Wurtemberg for faithful services in the field. To Mr. and Mrs. McCarty were born five children, all living: John William Fred, Laura Frost, Carrie Louise and Frances E.
In 1879 Mr. McCarty came to Douglas County, and settled in Arcola Township where he bought a tract of land where he resided on the farm until 1894, when he located in Tuscola. He had great energy and talent for organizing and conducting business affairs, and by his great natural ability and indomitable perseverance attained a high prominence in the industrial and financial affairs of Douglas County. At the time of his death he owned two thousand acres of land in Douglas County, five hundred acres in Marion County, Illinois, and eight hundred acres in Missouri. These large estates are looked after by his widow, Mrs. McCarty, who possesses in a large degree great business tact, fine intelligence, and is a highly educated lady.