Michael McGuire (1824-1905) was born near Sweetwater, Tennessee. He married
  Lucinda Edwards in 1848. James and Thomas were 2 of the 7 sons and 5 daughters.
  Lucinda died in 1868. He married Belle McCully in 1877, who bor 3 children, 
  George (1878), who married Minnie Freitag, and Olive (1879) who married Jessie
  Taliferro, and a deceased infant.
     In 1882 Michel, Belle, and the two small children moved to Kansas. They came
  to Harper, the end of the railroad, and bought a home near Sharon. James, the
  fourth son, and wife, Anna, with two sons joined the family.
     Jim proved up 160 acres 1 1/2 miles from Sharon. Pioneering was difficult;
  to help meet expenses he hauled freight from Harper to Sharon, a 3 day trip.
  We can hardly picture the area. The only trees were around Nine Cottonwood
  Schoolhouse. Cedar trees were transplanted from Cedar Hills.
     In 1892 Jim purchased a farm 4 1/2 miles southwest of Sharon. He planted a
  large orchard with a variety of fruits; around this, several rows of maple
  seedlings for protection. They had a large garden, much of it planted to onions
  which they sold with surplus vegetables and fruits. Nothing was wasted. Windfall
  apples were made into cider nad vinegar, and cane made molasses. Lissie sold
  eggs, butter, and cream. Corn was the principal crop; however, Jim was among
  the first to grow wheat.
     In 1891 brother Thos. E. and wife, Nannie, with seven children, moved into
  the neighborhood. Five of the family were stricken with typhoid in 1893. The
  two oldest girls died. By 1900 Jim's family included Harry, ARch, Jennie, Cynthia,
  Charles, Joseph, and Amos.
     The McGuires were devoted Christians. All were charter members of the newly
  organized Church of God. A church building was erected on an acre of land
  belonging to Thomas. It still stands, although not used. Today's generation
  could not survive on that 160 acre farm. With powered machinery, many now farm
  more than 1,000 acres. Inflation influences conditions and employment.
     A schoolhouse was erected across the road from the church. Cash was short,
  wages meager, so the teacher lived a week at a time among the patron families.
     Jim's children finished school, sought vocations, and established homes. The
  parents ramained there. 
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 302 
     Submitted by: Grace Birdsall McGuire McDaniel