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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
HON. BEN McCOY, of the firm of Bolton & McCoy, of Oskaloosa, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., March 22, 1846. He is the son of James and Lovisa (Nicholson) McCoy, both natives of Kentucky, but who emigrated with their parents to Indiana at an early day. In the year 1856 they emigrated to Mitchell County, Iowa, the same year removing to this county, but are now living in Keokuk County, Iowa. They are members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was nine years old when his parents came to Mahaska County. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he was sent to Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and graduated with honors in the class of 1868. In 1871 he entered the law office of Seevers & Cutts, and the following year was admitted to the bar. He taught school the winter of 1871, and in March, 1872, removed to Keokuk County, Iowa, where he commenced the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of Andrews & McCoy. In January, 1874, he returned to Oskaloosa, and formed the present partnership. He served as City Solicitor of Oskaloosa during the year 1876. In the year 1873 he was the successful candidate of the Republican party for the office of Senator of Mahaska County. Mr. McCoy enlisted in 1864 in Co. H. 46th Iowa Vol. lnf., from Keokuk County, and was stationed at Helena, Ark. Mr. McCoy is a Knight Templar, and is affiliated with De Payens Commandery No. 6, Oskaloosa. Mr. McCoy was married in Mahaska County, Jan. 1, 1870, to Miss Mary M. Dixon, a daughter of the Hon. John N. Dixon, who at the time represented this county in the State Senate. Four children are the issue of this marriage-Eva, John N., Ralph S., and Hugh B. Mr. McCoy is a careful, painstaking lawyer, a fluent, graceful and convincing advocate before a jury, and a host upon the stump in advocacy of the principles of the Republican party. As a citizen, he ranks among the best, and has more friends and less enemies than any other man in the county.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy