William S[kidmore]. McANINCH, a propserous agriculturist of Jefferson Township, living on section 9, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, March 5, 1835, a son of Samuel McANINCH, who was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Putnam County, settling there in 1829. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and received a common-school educaiton in the rude, log-cabin subscription schools of his native county.

He was married February 1, 1859, to Miss Mary M[aria]. JOHNSON, a daughter of Isaac JOHNSON, of Kirkville, Iowa. To this union have been born nine children, of whom three are deceased. Those living are - Elmina A., Alvin W., Orval H., Ottis G., Arletta M. and James A.

Mr. McANINCH during the war of the Rebellion, was a member of the Eighteenth Indiana Battery three years [enlisting as a Corporal on August 1, 1862], and was in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga. He was with SHERMAN to Atlanta, returning with General THOMAS and fought at Nashville and Franklin and in other engagements, being under fire 167 days, and traveling over 11,000 miles while in service. He was promoted to [Full] Sergeant while in the service, and received an honorable discharge [mustered out of service on June 30, 1865, at Indianapolis, Indiana].

He located in Keokuk County, Iowa, in the fall of 1865, and in the fall of 1870 became a resident of Ringgold County. He settled on his present farm in April, 1883, where he owns 200 acres of well-cultivated land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs.

Mrs. McANINCH is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

NOTE: Samuel McANINCH, son of Daniel McANINCH (1751-1822) and Dorcas (?) McANINCH, was born February 5, 1789, and died July 30, 1859 in Putnam County, Indiana. Samuel married in 1813, Kentucky to Polly SKIDMORE, who was born April 3, 1797, in Kentucky. Polly was sixteen-years-old at the time of her marriage. Her father Joseph SKIDMORE signed his consent regarding the marriage. Samuel and Polly were the parents of thirteen children, William S. being the youngest child.

William S. and Mary McANINCH were enumerated in the 1900 Federal Census as residing at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. William died January 4, 1901, Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 65 years. Mary Maria (JOHNSON) McANINCH was born March 26, 1836, and died February 1, 1902, Des Moines, Iowa. Of William and Mary's nine children:

1) Elmina Alice McANINCH was born near Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, on December 25, 1859, and died December 4, 1943, Berwick, Polk County, Iowa. She married Charles F. HIGGINS, son of Warren C. and Caroline Matilda HIGGINS, born in Scioto County, Ohio, on August 31, 1861; died December 31, 1948, Berwick, Polk County, Iowa. Elmina and Charles were interred at the Berwick Cemetery. They were the parents of Charles Warren HIGGINS, born September 20 1894, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa; died November 23, 1961, Des Moines, Iowa. Charles married Florence Leona McGAVRAN, born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 9, 1895, the daughter of Thomas Embury McGAVRAN (1868-1945) and Hannah Elizabeth (BLOOM) McGAVRAN (1867-1945). Florence died November 14, 1977, Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas. Charles and Florence were the parents of Francine M. HIGGINS, born August 9, 1914, Des Moines, Iowa; died May 22, 1990, Houston, Texas. Francine married January 3, 1931, Ringgold City, Ringgold County, Iowa, to Walter Burton BAILIE (1910-1981). Francine and Walter were interred at Delphos, Kansas. Francine and Walter were the parents of three sons.

James A. McANINCH was born in 1881.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Pp. 388-89, 1887.

American Civil War Soldier Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

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