Starkville, Mississippi, Friday, January 15, 1932

McIlwain Retires After Forty-Two Years' Service

Has Spent Practically Entire Business Life in Courthouse

On the first Monday in January 1932, there was practically a complete change made in the personnel of Oktibbeha's "official family" and in this change there was one attache who had faithfully filled various positions, elective and appointive, who voluntarily retired, and is going to be sorely missed by his friends and the public, and that man is McD. McIlwain.

Mr. McIlwain was born in Oktibbeha County in 1856 and passed his 80th birthday a few weeks ago. When a very young man he taught school and later graduated from the famous Soule Business College, of New Orleans, thus preparing himself for a business career.

Mr. McIlwain entered the courthouse forty-two years ago as office deputy for the Late H. T. Saunders, who was sheriff at that time. He was later elected sheriff and served four years, and as he could not succeed himself, served four years as office deputy under his successor, sheriff Murray Maxwell. At the end of Mr. Maxwell's term, he was re-elected sheriff making eight years in all in that office. he served nine years as deputy Chancery Clerk, and twenty-five years as office deputy under seven sheriffs, making in all, forty two years of faithful and efficient service in the courthouse.

McD. McIlwain retires to a well earned rest, and his friends, who include every man, woman and child in Oktibbeha county, wish for him and his faithful and devoted wife who has traveled life's pathway with him, sharing the trials and vicissitudes incident to human life, many more happy and peaceful years.

Theodore Roosevelt must have had just such a character as McD. McIlwain in mind when he said: "He who fills the niche in life God has asigned him and comes through unblemished, retaining the confidence and esteem of those he served has made a greater success of life than many nationally known notables who have acquired wealth and fame."