From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Scanned by Susan Dechant (sdechant@triax.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERASMUS S. McCLOUD
     When the clouds of fratricidal strife hung dark and heavy over the 
Union, the subject of this sketch was one of those brave and noble men who 
stepped forward to retrieve from insult the stars and stripes and to preserve 
for generations to follow the free institutions for which our forefathers 
bled and died. It is very fitting that an epitome of Mr. McCloud's career 
should appear in the history of the county, for he is a worthy and substantial 
citizen. He was born in Rockingham, Virginia, on September 30, 1842, the 
son of Alexander and Delilah (Sowelter) McCloud, natives of Glasgow, Scotland 
and Pennsylvania, respectively. They moved to Ohio in 1866, having lost all 
their property during the war in Virginia, the father died in 1882 and the 
mother in 1885; after receiving his education our subject left home in 1860, 
migrated to Ohio, and there, in November, 1863 enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio 
Cavalry under Captain James Hicks. He first saw the horrors of battle at 
Stirling, Kentucky where he acquitted himself as a true soldier. Later he 
was detailed as scout on account of his thorough knowledge of the country. 
He served until November 14, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge 
at Nashville, Tennessee. A detailed account of the narrow escapes, thrilling 
adventures, and arduous service of Mr. McCloud would be intensely interesting 
but space forbids. Subsequent to the war, he returned to Ohio, remaining there 
until 1876, when he migrated to Kansas, and later to Colorado. Next we see 
him in Butte, Montana, and in 1883 he went to Juneau, Alaska. Mr. McCloud 
visited all the camps then existing in Alaska, spending two years there. In 
1889 he came to Colville and selected a farm where he now lives. In addition 
to doing general farming, he has followed mining and now devotes his summers 
to this industry largely. His farm is well improved and is one of the finest 
in the valley.
     In 1867 Mr. McCloud married Miss Nancy E. Miller, whose parents were 
natives of Ohio. Mrs. McCloud died in 1874. Two children born to the union 
died before the mother's death. Mr. McCloud is a good old fashioned Jeffersonian 
Democrat, and is always on hand for the campaigns and conventions. He is a 
member of the G.A.R. and stands well in the community. He is past commander 
of the John M. Coris post.
     When Mr. McCloud was fighting for the stars and stripes, his two 
brothers were pressed into service under the stars and bars. This terrible 
thing has made the awful conflict seem somewhat different to Mr. McCloud, 
as it was a case of brother fighting against brother. He is the only member 
of the family living, so far as he knows, and the only one who ever came 
west.