Charles C. McCoy
No occupation has gone through more radical changes within the past half century than farming. When the virgin soil of Ohio was first cleared there was no difficulty in raising crops of all kinds, but with continual cropping the land lost its pristine fertility and artificial means were resorted to in order to keep the farms of the state to a high state of productivity. In order that land may be profitable the crops and live stock maintained upon it must be adapted not only to local conditions of soil and climate, but also to existing economic conditions. On those farms which combine these factors of efficiency the profits are the greatest, yet in the last analysis the farmer himself is the determining factor in every successful agricultural enterprise. It must not be overlooked that the farmer is just as quick to take advantage of economic principles as he is of improved methods of growing crops and feeding animals. Experience has shown the farmer that the problems of farm organization are usually those of readjustment and improvement of existing systems rather than the introduction of wholly new systems. There are many acres in Fayette county, Ohio, which have been under cultivation for more than one hundred years and are still capable of raising good crops. One of the county's best farmers, who thoroughly understands the best methods of getting the maximum results from the soil, is Charles C. McCoy, of Jefferson township.
Charles C. McCoy, the son of John and Elizabeth (Collett) McCoy, was born December 20. 1869, near Good Hope, in Wayne township, this county. His parents were natives of Fayette and Clinton counties, Ohio, respectively, but the father being born and reared in Fayette they settled here after their marriage and later moved to Clinton. John McCoy was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Harper) McCoy. emigrants from Frederick county Maryland. Thomas McCoy and wife were the parents of eleven children, James, Joseph, Allen, Judson, John, Hugh, Thomas, William (died in infancy), Elizabeth, Sarah. Maria and Ann. All of the boys are deceased except Thomas, and all the girls are living except Sarah.
Charles C. McCoy, the only child of his parents, was educated in the schools of this county and later attended Wilmington College, after which he entered Ohio State University for two years. He was married in 1902, and at once settled on a part of the Parrett home farm in Jefferson township, where he has since resided and which he now owns. Being a man of progressive ideas, he has made a pronounced success of his chosen life work and his farm is one of the most attractive of the township.
Mr. McCoy was married January 30, 1902, to May Parrett. the daughter of Benjamin Hinton and Nancy (Allen) Parrett. Mrs. McCoy is one of five children born to her parents. the other four being Seth E., Mrs. Eva Miller, Mrs. Ora Hayes and Mrs. Cora Wood. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have no children.
Politically, Mr. McCoy is independent, but has always taken an intelligent interest in all matters of a local nature. He has preferred to devote his time and energies to agricultural pursuits rather than to take an active part in political campaigns. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant church, in the welfare of which they are interested and to the supiort of which they are liberal contributors.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)