Born in Fulton County, Illinois, February 3, 1844. He came with his father's family to Keokuk County in his boyhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 36th Iowa Infantry, of which Gov. Francis M. Drake wan the Lieutenant Colonel. The most active campaigning of this command was in the southwest. Drake's Brigade was surrounded by Gen. Fagin's army at Mark's Mills, Ark., and compelled to surrender. The prisoners were taken to Tyler, Texas, where they remained in prison for the next ten months. Mr. McVay when exchanged returned to his command at Little Rock, where he was furloughed home, but later returned to his regiment, with which he was mustered out at Davenport. He was yet but twenty-one years of age, and at once set about attending school, afterwards studying medicine. He settled in Lake City, Calhoun County, in May, 1872, where he rapidly rose in his profession, becoming surgeon of the C. & N. W. R. R., which position he held for several years. He was elected to represent Calhoun and Pocahontas counties in the Iowa House of Representatives, in 1883. In 1887 he was elected State Senator from Webster and Calhoun counties. During his service in the legislature he was recognized from the start as one of its leaders, becoming widely and favorably known throughout the State.

Born in Fulton County, Illinois, February 3, 1844. He came with his father's family to Keokuk County in his boyhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 36th Iowa Infantry, of which Gov. Francis M. Drake wan the Lieutenant Colonel. The most active campaigning of this command was in the southwest. Drake's Brigade was surrounded by Gen. Fagin's army at Mark's Mills, Ark., and compelled to surrender. The prisoners were taken to Tyler, Texas, where they remained in prison for the next ten months. Mr. McVay when exchanged returned to his command at Little Rock, where he was furloughed home, but later returned to his regiment, with which he was mustered out at Davenport. He was yet but twenty-one years of age, and at once set about attending school, afterwards studying medicine. He settled in Lake City, Calhoun County, in May, 1872, where he rapidly rose in his profession, becoming surgeon of the C. & N. W. R. R., which position he held for several years. He was elected to represent Calhoun and Pocahontas counties in the Iowa House of Representatives, in 1883. In 1887 he was elected State Senator from Webster and Calhoun counties. During his service in the legislature he was recognized from the start as one of its leaders, becoming widely and favorably known throughout the State.

Born in Fulton County, Illinois, February 3, 1844. He came with his father's family to Keokuk County in his boyhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 36th Iowa Infantry, of which Gov. Francis M. Drake wan the Lieutenant Colonel. The most active campaigning of this command was in the southwest. Drake's Brigade was surrounded by Gen. Fagin's army at Mark's Mills, Ark., and compelled to surrender. The prisoners were taken to Tyler, Texas, where they remained in prison for the next ten months. Mr. McVay when exchanged returned to his command at Little Rock, where he was furloughed home, but later returned to his regiment, with which he was mustered out at Davenport. He was yet but twenty-one years of age, and at once set about attending school, afterwards studying medicine. He settled in Lake City, Calhoun County, in May, 1872, where he rapidly rose in his profession, becoming surgeon of the C. & N. W. R. R., which position he held for several years. He was elected to represent Calhoun and Pocahontas counties in the Iowa House of Representatives, in 1883. In 1887 he was elected State Senator from Webster and Calhoun counties. During his service in the legislature he was recognized from the start as one of its leaders, becoming widely and favorably known throughout the State.