William Caldwell McChord was born in Springfield, Kentucky, July 3, 1850, the younger of two children born to Dr. Robert C. and Laura (Hynes) McChord. McChord attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He began practicing law in 1874, when he was elected as the county attorney for Washington County. In 1887, he was elected as a member of the lower house of the State Legislature and acted as the Washington County delegate during the Constitutional Convention of 1890-1891. He was instrumental in the development of infrastructure in Washington County, including railroads and utilities. McChord worked as an attorney for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Co. for over twenty years, beginning around 1901. McChord was married to Nannie McElroy in Springfield on January 14, 1875. McChord was a member of the Masons and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky from 1900-1901. William C. McChord died in Springfield, Kentucky on July 5, 1928.
From the description of William C. McChord Collection, 1824-1926 1901-1917. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 69019570
Born on July 3, 1850, William Caldwell McChord grew up on the Caldwell family homestead four miles north of Springfield, Kentucky. The homestead included McChord's parents, their eight children, and 75 slaves. As a boy during the Civil War, McChord witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Perryville and met Colonel Basil Duke of John Morgan's Cavalry Division. McChord's family lost everything after the Civil War and he worked as a store clerk and managed a farm for the early part of his adult life. On January 14, 1975, he married Nannie Irvine McElroy, with whom he had five children. He died on July 5, 1928.
Despite McChord's lack of formal education, he eventually decided to study law. In 1871, he obtained a position as Deputy County Clerk of Washington County and in 1872, he secured a license to practice law. In 1874, he was elected to County Attorney of Washington County. He developed a respectable law practice over the years and in 1878 he was re-elected County Attorney. As County Attorney McChord successfully negotiated the extension of rail service to Springfield in 1888 and was subsequently employed as local attorney for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad the same year. He continued his employment with the railroad until his death in 1928.
In addition to his legal career, McChord actively participated in state politics. In 1888, he was elected to the Kentucky State Legislature. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1890. Following ratification of the 1891 constitution he served on a review commission charged with ensuring all state statutes complied with the new constitution. He worked to secure the nomination of John Young Brown as Democratic candidate for governor in 1891. He also led the faction that split from the Democratic Party to oppose William Goebel in the 1899 gubernatorial election.
From the description of William C. McChord Memoir, 1926. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 233035650
