John H. McIlroy ⁶⁸⁵¹

Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
August 14, 1929
p. 3

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McIlroy Observing Golden Wedding

Widely Known In This Part of State -- Connected With Mills At Winthrop and No. Monmouth for Years -- Active Socially

On Monday, Mr. and Mrs. John H. McIlroy together with friends and family will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at their home, 457 Main St., city. Theirs has been a very busy life until a few years ago, when on account of poor health, Mr. McIlroy retired from active business and is now enjoying the fruits of his long business career. Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy were schoolmates in Winthrop forming a friendship that lead to their marriage Aug. 19, 1879, the day that the bride became 19 years old. They were married in Winthrop by Rev. David Church, to whose residence they went accompanied by Mr. McIlroy's oldest brother and Mrs. McIlroy's aunt.

There have been born to this worthy couple two daughters and one son: Mrs. Clyde Watson of Rumford; and Miss Margaret McIlroy who lives with her parents, and R. Crawford McIlroy, who is associated with the W.S. Libbey Co., manufacturers of the well known Golden Fleece bed blankets. They also have a sideline of "Blender of Wools, Cotton and Rayon." Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy have six grandchildren, the four daughters of Mr. and Mrs. R. Crawford McIlroy and two little sons of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde W. Watson of Rumford.

Mr. McIlroy was born of sturdy Scotch parentage. His mother was Margaret Crawford and his father John McIlroy, both of Glasgow, Scotland, where John was born. The McIlroy family came to Winthrop some 58 years ago when the father took charge of the Winthrop Mills, the oldest son, R.C. McIlroy succeeding him on his death in 1901. He in turn was succeeded in his retirement in 1920 by his nephew, R. Crawford McIlroy. In 1922, R. Crawford, John's son, resigned to enter business in Lewiston, becoming associated with the W.S. Libbey Co.

In early life, Mr. John was associated in business with his father, John McIlroy Sr., who together established the Annabessacook Mills at North Monmouth, which has resulted in making the town one of the most thriving small villages in this State. In 1902, Mr. McIlroy became sole owner of the Annabessacook Mills, when the business became incorporated under the name of John H. McIlroy Son & Co. In 1911 this business was purchased by the Winthrop Mills Co., and after one year from active business, in 1912 John purchased the Winthrop and Wayne Light and Power Co., which he managed till 1920, when he sold to C.M.P. Co. Mr. McIlroy is now President of the Lewiston- Greene and Monmouth Telephone Co., a director of the Augusta Trust Co., on the board of Trustees of Monmouth Acadamey, and continues to be a stock holder in the Winthrop Mills Co. He is affiliated with all Masonic bodies, a 32d. degree Mason and a Shriner.

Mrs. John McIlroy (Mary A.) was a native of North Attleboro, Mass., daughter of Mary E. Strickland and Frank Stanley. Her father, who died in 1862, was a member of the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, Company L. As Mary A. Stanely, she came to Winthrop in 1870, to make her home in the family of the late Dr. Albert F. Stanley and was educated and married from this home.

The first five years of Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy's married life were spent in Winthrop, where the two oldest children were born. The next 20 years were lived in North Monmouth, and then the son of married in 1903, and became superintendent for his father, and the family returned to Winthrop where the next 20 years were passed. In 1922, Mr. McIlroy purchased the Wallace White estate on Main St. He has made extensive repairs and improvements and it is one of the finest homes in the two cities.

Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy were the first matron and patron of Abenaki Chapter, No. 116, O.E.S., being active in establishing this order in Winthrop. Mrs. McIlroy was grand electra and also D.D.G.M. and was secretary of the chapter many years. The Patience Stanley chapter, N.S., D.A.R of Winthrop, was organized in the McIlroy home on Central street, Mrs. McIlroy and Margaret being chapter members, seven of whom were descendants of Captain Solomon and Patience Stanley. Mrs. McIlroy is past regent, registrar, secretary-treasurer and past State chaplain of the D.A.R. She is a member of the Winthrop Literary Club, W.R.G. and W.C.T.U. Since coming to Lewiston she has joined the Androscoggin Woman's Literary Union, the Twin City Parliamentary Club. The family are members of the Pine Street Congregational Church where Mrs. McIlroy is active in the Missionary society and the Social Circle.

Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy have been connected with the Winthrop Congregation Churrch since early childhood, becoming members in 1886. Mr. McIlroy was superintendent of the Sunday school for years and has served as deacon for many years. Mrs. McIlroy was clerk for five years and when they came to Lewiston to make their home, the church presented them at a delightful social gathering, with a silver lining cup on which is inscribed: "Mrs. and Mrs. J.H. McIlroy, from the Winthrop Congregational Church. In Loving appreciation of loyal service."

As to politcal party, Mr and Mrs. McIlroy are Republicans. Theirs have been happy years filled with so much useful employment. They are every ready to assist in any good cause, and their home has been open to the social activities of all these organizations in which they have been prominent.

Being former summer resident at Lovitt Field on Cape Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy have formed many dear friendships in Portland. They purchased the Dr. Baker summer home in 1918 and were at the colony six summers, selling the property when it became too heavy of a burden to keep up a home on the coast, a farm in Winthrop and their winter residence.

Mr. and Mrs. McIlroy will entertain in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary a family dinner part at 1 o'clock next Monday afternoon. Twenty-five covers will be laid and Grant will cater. From three to five that afternoon, they will give an at home, when all friends will be cordially received.

John married Mary A. Stanley 19 August 1879. (Mary A. Stanley was born 19 August 1860 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts and died after 1946.)