Dempsey McClure was born in Tennesee in 1837. He moved along with his father and mother and family to McNairy Co. TN before 1850. He married Martha in 1865 and they lived in Kentucky for a short time before moving to Decatur Co. TN around 1868. He was joining his brother Samuel who had moved there between 1850 and 1860. Dempsey was a carpenter who was responsible for building many houses in Decatur Co. His grandchildren remember him traveling to the job site by wagon and mule carrying the tools of his trade.
In the 1870 census, John McClure, age 66, farm laborer is living in the Dempsey McClure household.
The 1900 census shows an adopted child living in the Dempsie McClure household.