“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

COLONEL JOHN C. McCOY.—Among the early settlers of northern 
Texas, and the first lawyer to locate in the city of Dallas, was Colonel John 
C. McCoy, a gentleman commanding in appearance and venerable in the 
magnificent character he built up for himself as a true man and efficient 
citizen.

He was born in Clark county, Indiana, September 28, 1819, the youngest son 
of John and Jane (Collins) McCoy, natives of Pennsylvania.  His 
grandfather, Rev. William McCoy, moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, 
in 1790, coming down the Ohio river in a flat-boat, and settled in Shelby 
county.  He was a Baptist preacher and made many hazardous journeys in 
Kentucky, and also in southern Indiana, crossing the Ohio river, and 
penetrating the then immense forests of Clark county.  A bold brave man, he 
proclaimed the gospel beneath the great trees, to the sparse settlers with his 
gun at his side.

Colonel McCoy’s father was married in Kentucky, in 1803, and afterward 
moved to Clark county, Indiana, entered land and improved it.  After that he 
moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and made that his home most of the time, 
until his death, which occurred September 3, 1859.  His excellent wife died 
September 1, 1835, in Clark county, Indiana.

This worthy couple had ten children,--four daughters and six sons,--all of 
whom grew to full man and womanhood, except one daughter; and all are 
now dead.  The eldest son, Lewis was a farmer in Indiana, and the father of 
John M. McCoy, Esq., of Dallas, Texas, who was the law partner of Colonel 
McCoy in Dallas for over ten years.

Isaac, the third son, received a classical education at Hanover College, 
Indiana, and made teaching his profession, and for forty years was a 
prominent educator in southern Illinois.

George R. studied medicine under the celebrated Dr. Yandell of Louisville, 
Kentucky, and for many years was a prominent physician in southern 
Illinois.  Another son, William, became a noted Baptist minister in Indiana.  
No man stood higher than he in his denomination, and no man was more 
loyal or devoted to his people.  He was the continuous pastor of two 
churches forty-seven years, besides traveling and preaching more or less all 
the time throughout southern Indiana.  He died at his home in New 
Philadelphia, May 22, 1891.  He left surviving him, his son, Rev. John E. 
McCoy, a prominent Baptist minister, who died July 24, 1891, at North 
Vernon, Indiana.

The youngest daughter, Eliza, was a missionary to the North American 
Indians for nine years, beginning in 1844.  She was the principal legatee of 
Colonel McCoy, to the magnificent estate he accumulated as a lawyer in 
Dallas, Texas.  She survived him only about five years, but during that time 
she donated fully $75,000 of her estate to benevolent and religious 
institutions; and by her will, she bequeathed almost all of the balance of her 
estate, valued at about $50,000, to the cause of missions.  She died 
November 8, 1891, at Dallas, Texas, greatly loved, honored and lamented, as 
one of the most exemplary of Christian women.

Colonel McCoy was reared on a farm to the age of fifteen years, when, in 
1834, he entered as a student in the Clark County Seminary, continuing his 
studies one year.  In 1835, he entered Wilmington Seminary, and was a 
student there a year, and in 1836, returned to Clark County Seminary, for 
another year.  Thus closed his school days.  After this, his first employment 
was as Deputy Circuit Clerk of Clark county, Indiana, two years, during 
which time he prosecuted the study of law during all his spare time.

In 1839, he was engaged in the re-survey of the western boundary line of the 
State of Missouri, from the Missouri river south to the Osage river.  He was 
next employed as an enrolling agent, and assisted in making the payments 
for the Government to the various tribes of Indians in western Missouri.  In 
1840, he assisted in drafting the treaty between the Shawnee and Delaware 
Indians and the Government, for a portion of their lands on which to locate 
the Wyandotte tribe.  Within the territory thus acquired Wyandotte City has 
been built, and there the remains of that tribe are still to be found.  In the 
spring of 1840, he returned to Indiana, and resumed the study of law in the 
city of Jeffersonville, under Hon. A. Lovering, and in May, 1841, was 
licensed to practice in the State and Federal courts of Indiana and Kentucky.  
He soon secured a large and lucrative practice, which continued until his 
departure to Texas, in 1844.  Having accepted the position of agent and 
surveyor for the Peters colony in Texas, he embarked December 12, 1844, 
on the steamer Kate Aubrey, for New Orleans, en route to the wild scenes of 
the great Empire State, in company with E. F. Springer, M. J. Owen, 
William Keigwin, late proprietor of Bremond, Texas, and Captain Charles 
Hensley.

On New Year’s day, 1845, the party disembarked from the steamship New 
York, at Galveston, and began preparations to proceed to the interior.  The 
party took a Buffalo bayou steamer to Houston, and from there went with 
teams to Cincinnati, on the Trinity river.  In a few days they constructed a 
raft or flat-boat, 6 1/2 x 36 feet in dimensions, and, placing their wares of 
7,000 pounds on this frail craft, proceeded up the river to Fort Alabama, 
making such progress as their strength would permit, in pushing and pulling 
their vessel along.  At Fort Alabama, the boat was abandoned, and having 
secured two ox teams at Mustang prairie a much easier progress of the 
journey was made to Fort Houston, where a part of their supplies were left; 
and, having purchased two ponies at this point, Colonel McCoy and his 
friend Captain Hensley, pushed on in advance of their party, following the 
Caddo trail as far as Gassett, in Henderson county.  Riding up to the present 
site of Dallas, they found Colonel John Neely Bryan, established a log cabin 
10 x 12 feet in extent.  The travelers were very cordially received by Colonel 
Bryan, whom they found dressed in buckskin leggings, his feet encased in 
moccasins, and his body protected from chilling winds by a red and black 
plaid blanket coat.

In March, 1845, the party of engineers of which he was a member, started 
for the colony to prosecute their survey, arrived without serious accident and 
began the work.

Captain Hensley being called to Kentucky, Colonel McCoy fell heir to the 
absolute control of Peters’ colony until the winter following, when his old 
friend returned with a full party of young men.  This company was met by 
Colonel McCoy at Bonham, and he escorted it to Dallas, and after seeing the 
company comfortably established in their pioneer quarters, he severed his 
connection with the colony authorities, and in June, 1846, he be gan his 
career as an independent but active and zealous citizen.

In this year Dallas county was organized, by Colonel John Neely Bryan, in 
which enterprise Colonel McCoy contributed his full share of brain-work 
and physical labor.  As a slight expression of the appreciation in which his 
services were held by those whom he had most faithfully served, he was 
elected the first District Clerk of Dallas county; and, notwithstanding the 
fact that he had no office room gorgeously fitted up with those conveniences 
and elegances characterizing large modern offices, it is said that he 
discharged all the duties of his position in a manner that elicited the highest 
encomiums from those that understood the difficulties he had to encounter, 
as well as to the entire satisfaction of those whom he served.

The Mexican war breaking out about this time, Colonel McCoy took an 
active part in forwarding troops to the front, and in Navarro county was the 
prime mover in organizing the company commanded by Captain W. B. 
Dagley, with his old friend, Charles Hensley as First Lieutenant.

In December, 1846, after the District Court had been successfully organized, 
and during its first session, and at the earnest request of Judge Ochiltree, he 
resigned his office as District Clerk, and entered regularly and largely into 
the practice of his profession, which he followed for nearly thirty-nine years, 
with unvarying and remarkable success.

In 1848, Colonel McCoy was made a Mason, at Bonham, Texas, in 
Constantine Lodge, and during the same year assisted in the organization of 
Tannehill Lodge, in Dallas.  He was duly consecrated High Priest by the 
Council Order of Houston, June 13, 1861.  At various times he was D. D. G. 
Master of Masons in Texas, Grand Visitor of the Grand Chapter for the 
Eastern District of Texas, Deputy Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the 
Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas, Grand Generalissimo 
of the Grand Commandery of Texas.  He was also Past Grand Commander 
of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas, and at his death was 
District Commander of the Scottish Rites, and King of the Royal Arch 
Chapter of Texas.

In his personal appearance, Colonel McCoy was exceedingly near and even 
fastidious, and delighted in nothing so much as the simple elegance of life 
that minister to the comfort of all.

He was the first to erect a frame house in the city of Dallas, and this he did 
with laudable desire to improve the hamlet by introducing a style of 
architecture superior to that of the pioneer log cabin.  He cultivated and 
beautified not only his own home, but also extended his ideas into the public 
interests of the county.  And to him Dallas county is indebted for the 
magnificent trees that adorned Court Square, and that gave to that place so 
much of the attractions that excite the admiration for its inviting appearance 
during the sultry suns of the summer months.

In 1851, Colonel McCoy was married to Miss Cora M. McDermett, daughter 
of J. B. McDermett, of Pennsylvania, and a brother-in-law of David R. 
Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania.  All the surroundings of that event were 
of the simplest character, but the constancy that followed the vows there 
made is the highest proof that can be afforded to the sincere devotion given 
to the blushing bride who began with him the voyage of his married life.

In August, 1852, his residence on the corner of Commerce and Lamar streets 
was completed, and his young wife duly and formally installed into 
administration of its affairs.  His was the home of gayety, and frequented by 
all who delighted to steal away from the cares of a busy life, and for an hour 
to realize that the world is still beautiful, notwithstanding the troubles that 
sometimes overtake the unfortunate toilers in its active scenes.  In the 
happiness of his married life, and the successful practice of his profession 
that was then yielding him handsome profits, Colonel McCoy was feasting 
on pleasures that were destined, alas! to be of short duration.  The young 
wife, that had given to him so much love and was so efficient in rendering 
home a paradise, was snatched from his side by the relentless jaws of death, 
ere the baby lips that had blessed their marriage had been trained to lisp the 
holy name of mother.  For over a quarter of a century, Colonel McCoy 
walked alone in the shadow of his ever present sorrow; but, like the needle 
to the pole, the deep-rooted affections of his soul were ever true to the 
impressions made by the idol of his heart, who won and wore his devotions 
long before the frost of years had mellowed his life.

In 1854, ten years after his departure from the scenes of his early life, for the 
wild and untried experiences of this distant land, Colonel McCoy visited for 
the first time his friends and relatives then living near the Falls of the Ohio 
River, as Louisville was then known.

In February, 1856, Colonel McCoy was elected District Attorney of the 
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of this State, then composed of sixteen counties 
and extending from Grayson, Ellis and Dallas counties on the east, to the 
distant boundaries of Young county on the west.  This position he filled for 
nearly three years, discharging all its duties faithfully, effectively and to the 
entire satisfaction of those who had entrusted the labor and responsibilities 
of this important office to him.

In 1861, when the Civil war, ominous of the worst, broke forth upon the 
country, Governor Clark, recognizing the administrative abilities of the 
highest order in the systematic and determined character and will of Colonel 
McCoy, appointed him to be Quartermaster of the regiments commanded by 
Colonels Young, Simms, Lock and Parsons.  When these commands were 
mustered into the Confederate service, Colonel McCoy was retained by 
Governor Clark in the military service of the State, and assigned to duty as 
mustering officer for the regiments that were subsequently carried into the 
Confederate Army by Colonels Nat. M. Burford and T. C. Hawpe.  His 
further service as a military man was devoted to the enrollment of soldiers 
from Dallas county, and as Provost-Marshal of the same.

He was elected to the Legislature in 1862, and re-elected in 1864, and at the 
close of the war was an accredited Representative of Dallas county in that 
body, and as such assisted in the inauguration of the district officers 
appointed by Governor Hamilton, under the provisional measures of 
reconstruction adopted by President Andrew Johnson.

In politics, Colonel McCoy was always unswervingly devoted to the “old-
line” Whig party; but when its days were numbered and its organization 
disbanded, he co-operated with the Democracy; and in all the political 
campaigns since the war, he was a recognized leader in the Democratic 
ranks.

As an orator, Colonel McCoy was richly endowed.  Being exceedingly 
graceful in his style of expressions and delivery, he never failed to entrance 
by his cultivated thought, his flowing sentences and classical allusions, all 
who chanced to be his hearers.

Being richly endowed with musical talents, and a cultivated musician as 
well, his whole nature seemed to be attuned to rhythmical measures, and 
hence his love and great familiarity with all the poets may be easily 
accounted for.  But few men in this country were as well acquainted with the 
realm of song as he.  He had his favorites, his likes and dislikes, just as every 
thinking, reasoning and studious scholar must have, but as a literateur he 
was not only fair, but impartial in his criticisms, and respects most highly 
that commendable motive that excites merit to labor, and to contribute 
something to the development of our own literature.  He may have been 
justly regarded as the best posted scholar in the classical as well as the 
general literature of the day, to be found in this part of the State.  This fact, 
considered in connection with the further fact that he passed his palmiest 
days amid the dangers, hardships and demands incident to frontier life, must 
reflect additional credit upon his taste, his natural endowments and his 
attainments.  In his own words, he “had experienced his greatest pleasures in 
communing with the stars as he lay stretched upon his single blanket on the 
prairies; and in all his travels he had never heard anything so grand as the 
soft winds of the whispering forests, or seen anything so pure as the distilled 
dews that tremble upon the grasses of the boundless plains.”

Colonel McCoy showed his strongest characteristics in his love for little 
children, and they in turn reciprocated all his regard in signs of affection for 
him.  In this community no man enjoyed so much esteem among the juvenile 
element as he; and even the humblest approached him with confidence, 
knowing that he would not allow them to sustain any want that he could 
either gratify or supply.  Christmas day never failed to find him prepared for 
the visits of his little friends, and Uncle Mac’s Christmas tree, from the force 
of custom had grown into one of the established institutions of the city.  His 
invitations were given through the newspapers.  No better nor higher 
eulogium can ever be pronounced upon his character than the simple, single 
sentence, “He was the children’s friend.”

Colonel McCoy united with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, in October, 
1880, and was ever afterward an active and efficient member, aiding 
liberally in all church work.

His final summons came the 30th of April, 1887, when he departed this life, 
mourned by his many friends.

The following quotation is from the Dallas Morning News, of May 5, 1887.

“The funeral of Colonel John C. McCoy occurred yesterday afternoon at two 
o’clock.  He was an old landmark of Dallas, having come to this city when it 
had but a log house or two in it, some forty-two years ago, and with its 
growth he had grown.  On its expansion, its progress and its development 
generally, he left the impress of his energy, his wisdom, his enterprise and 
his conservatism.  He was not only respected and honored by all who knew 
him, but he was loved by all, deeply loved by the very many, for during the 
four days his body lay in his late residence, hundreds and hundreds of his old 
neighbors, of his newer friends, the rich and the poor, the white and the 
black, and especially the poor, visited it to look for the last time upon the 
pale, placid face so peaceful in death, and few went away who were not 
weeping.  At one o’clock the Masonic orders, the Dallas Commandery, 
escort for the Grand Commandery and Tannehill Lodge of Masons formed at 
Masonic Temple, corner of Main and Murphy streets.  From there they 
marched up Main street preceded by a brass band, to the late residence of the 
deceased, corner of Main and Harwood streets.  Already at the house, filling 
it and the spacious grounds, and gathered in throngs on the adjacent side-
walks were hundreds of people—ladies and gentlemen—with knots of 
colored people too, all came to do honor to the loved dead.  Up and down 
Main and Harwood streets for a block each way were carriages, buggies and 
wagons from the country, filled with people.

When the procession of Masons arrived they formed a line along Main street 
to the west, the Knights Templar in front, Tannehill Lodge next, the firemen 
coming next.  Then the grand officers of the Grand Commandery and the 
pall-bearers filed into the dwelling; forming about the bier, the pall-bearers 
on either side, Grand Commander John O. Johnson at the head and Grand 
Prelate J. C. Carpenter at the foot, with cross elevated, the Grand 
Commandery with crossed swords over the casket; the Grand Commander 
exclaimed “Alas, our brother 1.”  The Grand Commandery then sheathed 
their swords, the pall-bearers lifted the casket from the catafalque and bore it 
to the hearse in waiting, the Grand Commandery following, and in the rear 
came the Sunday-school class of young ladies of the deceased from the First 
Baptist Church, bearing floral emblems.  The funeral cortege took up its line 
of march in the order above named, to the First Baptist Church.  There the 
religious and Masonic services were most solemn.  The remains of the 
deceased were taken to the Masonic cemetery, for interment in the family 
lot.  Already hundreds and hundreds of people were in the cemetery awaiting 
the procession, so that when the vast throng of that cortege arrived there 
were thousands present.  The ceremonies first performed at the grave were 
from the beautiful and solemn burial services of the Knights Templar, sad, 
impressive and imposing.  Then came the ritual of the Masonic Lodge, and 
then the casket was lowered to its last resting place and the mound was 
watered with the tears of hundreds of those who loved the distinguished 
dead in his lifetime and who most sincerely mourned him.

“The law Association of the city at a bar meeting, after a preamble, adopted 
the resolutions of respect for the deceased, who for forty-two years, had 
been an honored and distinguished member of the Dallas bar.”

The denominoted him the “Nestor” of the bar.

The Public Library of Dallas, of which Colonel McCoy was the president 
and strong supporter at the time of his death, adopted some very appropriate 
resolutions and draped its rooms for thirty days.

The following selection is from a tablet of thanks presented to Miss Eliza 
McCoy in return for a portrait of Colonel McCoy, presented by her to the 
Dallas Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar.

“No Mason in Texas can ever forget his zeal for Masonry when wars and 
dissensions occurred between the North and South, when nearly every 
Christian, social and benevolent organization in this State was disrupted, and 
in many instances abandoned, your honored brother, Sir Knight, John C. 
McCoy, at his own individual expense paid chapter, personal, lodge and 
commandery dues for members and kept the lights burning on the altars of 
Free Masonry in Dallas.  No Mason ever knew John C. McCoy who did not 
love him, and his grand character and his kind consideration of the wants of 
every destitute Mason or his widow and orphans have so endeared him to 
Masons that his noble countenance, his commanding person and his 
benevolent kindness have photographed his memory on the hearts of every 
member of the order.”

IN MEMORY OF COLONEL J. C. McCOY.
-----
BY SARAH LYKINS RUSSELL.
-----
When like some gorgeous eastern queen,
The earth with autumn hues was bright, 
Among us moved, with kingly mien,
A friend whose presence brought delight.
With eager, earnest heart, he sought 
Each haunt he liked in early years; 
The varied scenes, from memory wrought, 
Awoke, alike, fond smiles and tears.

So full of kindly sympathy
For hearts that thrilled with joy or pain,
O! friend beloved, we shall not see
They like on this dull earth again.
For, on a longer journey now, 
Far and forever, thou hast gone;
O’er kingly form and noble brow,
In silence rests the burial stone.

But THOU dost live; the kindly deeds—
The good thy faithful hands have done,
The fruitage of love’s precious seeds—
Were golden in life’s setting sun,
In saddened hearts, whose weary ache
They healing touch hath comforted, 
They name shall sweetest music wake, 
And love its holy incense shed.

Truth’s royal signet on they brow
A grandeur to thy being gave;
Ev’n when in meekness thou didst bow
Beneath the cool baptismal wave,
And rise to walk with tireless feet,
Where’er the Master’s footsteps led,
Love’s consecrating spirit sweet
Its beauty o’er they spirit shed.

And when with tender, magic art, 
Each toiler’s burden thou didst share,
A wound was bleeding in thy heart
Love’s early pain had planted there.
O, faithful heart through weary years,
TO ONE fond memory so true,
Still watered by thy secret tears,
ONE lonely sorry deeper grew.

But now where sundered spirits meet, 
They heart has found its own again;
And in communions, fond and sweet, 
Forgotten all the earthly pain.
O! roses, shed your sweetest breath,
And on his grave, bright sunbeams, fall!
For Life shall triumph over Death,
And Love make full amends for all!

Kansas City, Mo., August 11, 1887.

Submitted by: Justina Cook