THOMAS McCOID, now living on section 17, Grove Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby County, having come here in March, 1851. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 9, 1822, and is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Sarchet) McCoid. The father was born in Scotland, May 12, 1793, and died October 21, 1870, at his home in Pottawattamie County. He crossed the ocean when quite young and first settled in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg; he afterward removed to Ohio, thence to Indiana, and thence to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Mrs. McCoid was born August 8, 1802, on Guernsey Island, of French parentage; she died February 28, 1861, at the old homestead in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas McCoid, the subject of this sketch, left his father's home at the age of eighteen years to do for himself; for six years he worked by the month on a farm in Indiana. In 1850 he came to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, and March 20, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Syntha Fouts, in Harrison County. After his marriage he settled at Galland's Grove, Shelby County, but as the survey had not then been made it was not known which county he had settled in. He first bought a squatter's claim and in a short time sold it. He entered 160 acres of government land, which he improved and made his home. Mr. and Mrs. McCoid had two children born to them -- Mary Ann, wife of T. E. Fowler, and Martha, who died in infancy. Mrs. Syntha McCoid died October 30, 1855, at the age of twenty-seven years. She was a native of Indiana, and a member of the Christian church. Mr. McCoid was again married October 4, 1858, in Shelby County, to Miss Lorinda J. McIntosh. By this union two children were born -- James (deceased), and George W., a merchant of Panama, Iowa. Mrs. Lorinda McCoid passed from this life December 23, 1872, at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. McCoid's estate covers 456 acres of good land; he has been an extensive farmer and stock-raiser. He is inclined to the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 596-597. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.