He played for the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds (1884) of the Union Association, the Detroit Wolverines (1885) and the Kansas City Cowboys (1886), both of the National League, and the Syracuse Stars (1890) and Washington Statesmen (1891), both of the American Association.

On September 28, 1885, he became the second Wolverine (after George Wood) to hit for the cycle, in a 14–2 Detroit win against the Providence Grays at Recreation Park.

[1] McQuery was a patrol officer for the Covington Police Department when he was killed in the line of duty.

The criminals opened fire, striking him in the chest, and he later died as result of his injuries.

"Big Mox" was buried at Linden Grove Cemetery in Covington, Kentucky.