McKAY, J. W.

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, p 169

J. W. McKAY, District Attorney, Mondovi [Naples Township (per 1878 Atlas), 
Buffalo County, Wisconsin], was born 27 February 1828 in Highland County, 
Ohio. In 1852 he removed to Knox County, Illinois, where he lived three 
years, and engaged in farming. He then removed again, to Trempealeau County 
[Wisconsin], and remained until August 1857, when he went to Hastings [Dakota 
County], Minnesota, with his family, with the expectation of getting work at 
his trade, either building or wagon making. He was unsuccessful, and finally 
came to Alma, arriving in the night, with only fifty cents in money, and no 
friends or acquaintances, with the exception of Mr. SOMMERFIELD [What was his 
first name? This surname is also found in census records spelled SOMERFIELD, 
SOMMERFELDT, SOMERFELDT, or SOMMERFELD]. After a number of hardships, such 
as are peculiar to a pioneer life, he obtained work and became prosperous.

About the beginning of the Rebellion [the Civil War began 12 April 1861 and 
officially ended 09 April 1865], he enlisted, 15 August 1862, in Company G, 
Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, as a private, and served until 07 June 
1865, when he was honorably discharged as a commissioned officer. He 
returned to Buffalo County and engaged in building wagons. He sold his 
business in 1869, and went to Clark County [Wisconsin] and went into 
lumbering. He made several changes from there, and in 1877 he returned to 
this county [Buffalo] and located in Mondovi, and began the practice of law.

He [J. W. McKAY] has been twice married, first to [Miss?] Isabella PIERCE, a 
native of Fayette County, Ohio; she died in April 1855. They [J. W. and 
Isabella McKAY] had two children, only one of whom is living, Emily Jane. He 
[J. W. McKAY] married, for his second wife, Miss Emily WOOD, a native of 
Cattaraugus County, New York. They [J. W. and Emily (WOOD) McKAY] have four 
children: Nellie Melissa, Louisa Belle, John William, and Floyd. Bracketed 
material added by submitter (who is not researching these surnames) to 
support and clarify information given in the biography and to raise 
questions. Submitter did not attempt to verify information given in this 
biography before submission.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly