John Armstrong McAfee was the eldest of nine children of Joseph and Priscilla (Armstrong) McAfee, who on their wedding trip had emigrated from Kentucky to Marion County, Mo. Joseph was descended from one of three McAfee brothers who joined other pioneers in establishing the first permanent settlement near Harrodsburg, Ky.
Until of age, McAfee worked on his father's farm and obtained most of his education by his own efforts. The day's work done, he often lay studying before an open fire which supplied his light. Few books were available, and his self-tuition included little more than classical and American history and elementary science. His schooling began when, at twenty-one, he left home, hiring a substitute for the farm. After seven years' study, interrupted by several periods of school-teaching and other activities for self-support, he was graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. , in 1859. At once he entered upon the educational career which continued until his death.
After teaching at Ashley, Mo. , from 1867 to 1870, he was successively connected with Pardee College at Louisiana, Mo. , 1867-70, and with Highland College at Highland, Kan. , 1870-75. In these colleges he was interested in plans for offering students means of self-help. In 1875 he cooperated with Col. George S. Park in founding Park College, which he served as president until his death. Here he offered an education to all worthy young persons of small or no financial resources. This self-help plan, which remained the out-standing mark of Park College for many years after McAfee's death, was less to train artisans than to reduce student expense and to inspire service.
McAfee's leading emphasis was on intellectual and spiritual discipline in preparation for religious leadership. He sought to develop the character resources of the growing W. He also fostered preparation for missionary service; of Park College graduates a notably large number have become foreign missionaries. Though he attended no theological school, McAfee was early ordained a Presbyterian minister and later received the honorary degree of D. D. from Westminster College, Mo.
As a preacher, McAfee was ardent and positive; as an educator, a determined classicist and advocate of traditional views; as an administrator, he was essentially practical.
He married, August 23, 1859, Anna W. Bailey. Of their five sons and one daughter, each for some years shared in the teaching or administrative work of Park College.
