John Benjamin McGuire was born on 23 Jan 1854 in Georgia. His parents were Green Tilman McGuire, Sr., and Mary Catherine Thomason McGuire.

According to the 1860 Census, John Benjamin McGuire was living in Campbell County, Georgia with his parents and four siblings: William, Charles, Joel, and Susan. He was listed as having attended school during that year.

John Benjamin McGuire married Sarah Catherine Clay on 21 Oct 1873 in Haralson County, Georgia.

According to the 1880 Census, John Benjamin McGuire was living in Haralson County, Georgia with his wife and three children: Joseph T. McGuire, Louola McGuire, and Mary E. McGuire. His parents and siblings were living next door to them. He was working as a farmer at the time.

The 1900 Census showed John Benjamin McGuire living in Carroll County, Georgia with his wife and three children: Oscar C. McGuire, Jane Odessa McGuire, and Annie Ardelia McGuire. He was still working as a farmer, and he was listed as being able to read and write.

According to the 1910 Census, John Benjamin McGuire was living in Carroll County, Georgia with his wife. There was also a Foster King living in the household, but no relationship to the McGuire family was given on the census. They were living next door to their son, Oscar McGuire, and his family.

On the 1920 Census, the family was living in Carroll County, Georgia. The household was made up of John Benjamin McGuire, Sarah Catherine Clay McGuire, and their granddaughter, Ila Belle McGuire. Ila Belle McGuire was raised by her grandparents from infancy when her mother passed away. John Benjamin McGuire worked as a blacksmith and owned his own shop.

According to the 1930 Census, John Benjamin McGuire, Sarah Catherine Clay McGuire, and Ila Belle McGuire were still living in Carroll County, Georgia. John Benjamin McGuire was working as a farmer at that time.

On the 1940 Census, John Benjamin McGuire was found living in Baldwin County, Georgia. He was listed as an inmate at Milledgeville State Hospital. He was also listed as widowed at that time.

John Benjamin McGuire died 13 Aug 1945 in Milledgeville State Hospital in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. According to his death certificate, he died of Hypostatic Pneumonia which mostly occurs in patients who are elderly or bedridden. There was also a fracture of the left femur listed on the death certificate as were a couple of other conditions which are difficult to read. He had been a patient in the hospital for almost 6 years at the time of his death.

He was buried at Poplar Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Carroll County, Georgia.

~~Compiled by Sabrina K. Combs, Great-Granddaughter~~

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