USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 94
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
one child: John Lester. J. Arthur married Robert, Alexander, Nancy, Maxwell, Jane, George Blanche McDonald and by her has two children: (who was drowned in Pennsylvania), George, another Floyd L. and one unnamed. Clara M. married son, died young, Samuel and Sarah. Nearly all Frank Prior, a farmer of Muskingum township, these children lived to be old people and their de- and Mary J. is still at home. Archibald McCann, scendants now form a numerous and substantial half-brother of John H., was a Mason of high people. James McCann gave the most of his at- rank. The strong democratic proclivities of the tention to his trade, leaving the farm work to be family are indicated by the preservation, for many done by his sons. He remained on the farm until years, of a hickory cane cut by Archibald McCann the death of his wife, then went to live with his eldest son Thomas, in 1844, and died March 30,
at the grave of Andrew Jackson.
Orville A. and Robert Emmet McCann belong 1848, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He to one of the pioneer families of Muskingum county, and his wife were members of the Presbyterian that now numbers among the thousands, the mem- church and he usually attended the Muskingum bers of which are noted for their thrift and for Presbyterian church, always walking the distance their honorable and upright conduct in every walk even when an old man. He was naturalized by in life. Tradition says that John McCann, about the supreme court of the state of Ohio, at Zanes- the year 1600 emigrated from Scotland and settled ville, October 28, 1828. Samuel McCann, his son, in the north of Ireland, in County Down, which and father of the gentlemen whose names head makes the family of Scotch-Irish origin. During this sketch, was born in Westmoreland county, the tribal period in Scotland the family was united Penn., March 10, 1807, and received a limited com- with the tribe of O'Neils for mutual protection. mon-school education, the most of his education Thomas McCann, the great-grandfather of the being obtained by self application. He was a man subjects of this sketch, was a citizen of Belfast, of fine mind, a great reader, and became well in- and the other members of the family who are known formed on all ordinary topics. He was brought
506
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
up in the wilderness, and his early days were spent possesses advanced ideas and progressive principles in clearing land, and although this school was regarding his profession, and is gifted with a full somewhat rough, it developed sterling traits of share of the sterling characteristics of those of character which stood him in good stead through- Ohio nativity. Born in Guernsey county, Ohio, out his long career. In January, 1833, he was on May 8, 1836, he was the youngest of seven chil- married to Miss Caroline Irvine, the town of Irville dren born to George and Sarah (Mills) McCreary, being named in honor of her father, who was one the former a native of County Downs, Ireland, and of the pioneers of the county. The following the mother of Wheeling, W. Va. George Mc- children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCann: James Creary left his native country for this in 1812, E., John Harvey, Isaac, William Allen, Margaret, settled in the East, and was married near Wheel - Maxwell, Warren, Martin L., Mary (died in in- ing, W. Va. In 1822 he came to Guernsey county, fancy), Orville A., Arthur and Robert Emmet. Ohio, and located on a farm about four miles from John Harvey and Maxwell McCann settled in New Concord. There he reared his family, con- Henry county, Mo .; William Allen and Martin sisting of five children, two having died when Luther removed to the new state of Washington quite small. The others were named as follows: and settled near the Columbia river, and Warren John, George, Jane, Elizabeth and Henry. The located near the old homestead. After his mar- mother of these children died in 1847, and the riage Mr. McCann remained on the old home farm father received his final summons in Guernsey and here all his children were born. The' family county in 1872. Both were connected with the first lived in the old log house built by James and Associate Reformed church, and were classed among his sons, but in 1844 a residence was erected, which the best citizens of the community. He was quite in those days was considered very fine. Samuel a prominent man in the county in which he lived. McCann was always a democrat in politics, was In politics he was for many years a whig, but later universally respected and his judgment held in he affiliated with the republican party. He was a high esteem. He was one of the earliest justices very successful farmer. Dr. Henry McCreary's of the peace, an office which he held to the satis- early life was passed on his father's farm, and he faction of the people for the long period of twenty- supplemented a common-school education, received eight years. He dispensed justice in his township in Guernsey county, Ohio, by a course in Muskin- with an impartial hand, tried a great many cases gum college. Still later he graduated from the and married many of the early settlers (at least Starling Medical college, and then entered Jeffer- 150 couples) for he was very popular among the son Medical college, from which he also received a young people in those days. He also filled the diploma. He first began practicing at Norwich, position of township clerk and township trustee Muskingum county, and there remained for three and was a member of the fifty-first general years, or until 1869, when he established business assembly of the state. He possessed much natural in New Concord. He is numbered among the ability, and was a thrifty farmer and was a gentle- most prominent members of the medical fraternity man of the old school. He lived to the age of in Muskingum county, and the success which has eighty-four years and died July 30, 1890, his attended his efforts in healing the sick is shown by wife's death occurring October 17, 1874. He had the extended territory over which he practices. inherited a remarkably strong constitution and In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army, and served during his long life was sick but little. He left three years in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio seven living children, twenty-three grandchildren Volunteer infantry, commanded by Capt. H. D. and one great-grandchild. His son, Orville A., Munson, of Zanesville. He enlisted as private was born June 7, 1853, received a common-school and was promoted to corporal, serving one year in education and in his youth learned the details of the field, after which, on account of ill health, he farming. He married Miss Josephine Elder Sep- was promoted to hospital service, in which he con- tember 13, 1881, daughter of William and Sarah tinued the remainder of the time. Dr. McCreary (McKee) Elder, and to them have been born four selected as his companion in life Miss Samantha children: Carrie, Florence, John H. and William A. Stevenson, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, I. He resides on the old homestead and is well born in 1846, and their nuptials were celebrated in known as a man of integrity and intelligence, and that county in 1875. She was the daughter of is a good representative of the McCann family, the John and Mary Stevenson. She died January members of which have been a practical and sturdy 22, 1877, and left one child, a son, George Boone, race of people, noted for their longevity. who is now attending college. The Doctor's sec-
Dr. Henry McCreary, New Concord, Ohio, is ond marriage was to Miss Martha M. Paden, a one of the very foremost among the professional native of the Keystone state, born in 1857, and men of the county, and has won an enviable repu- the daughter of William and Mary A. Paden. tation as a practitioner of the "healing art." He The fruits of this union were four children: Ralph
.
507
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
M., Mary, Grace G. and Helen H. Dr. McCreary county. The latter was but three years of age and family hold membership in the United Pres- when he was brought by his parents to this county, byterian church, and take an active interest in all and here he attained his growth. At the age of good work. The Doctor was trustee of Muskin- twenty-two he started out for himself, and worked gum college for twenty-four years, treasurer twelve one year for $100, after which he went to Zanes- years, and secretary eleven years. He has ever ville, where he worked in a mill for five years. been interested in educational matters, and served Returning to the home place he worked that for as professor of natural science in the college for a some time, but subsequently clerked, and then be- number of years. He is interested in all enter- came a partner with Mr. Jennings in a general prises for the improvement and development of the store. He then again returned to the home place, county.
which he cultivated for about five years. On
John McCloud, Norwich, Ohio. This old and March 11, 1845, he married Miss Harriet E. Lloyd, much esteemed citizen of Muskingum county was a native of Portsmouth, Va., born in 1818, and to originally from Virginia, his birth occurring in them were born four children: Alfred M., at Frederick county on January 12, 1806, and he was home; Mary E., widow of Milton Geyer; Louisa, the sixth of ten children born to Martin and Elsie at home, and Charles M. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud (Self) McCloud, both natives of the Old Dominion, are residing on the farm, which they have made by the father born in Frederick county in 1769, and honest industry, and which is located in the west- the mother in 1772. The paternal grandfather ern part of Union township, near the line. It was Mordikin McCloud, and the maternal William consists of 156 acres, and is managed by his two Self. Martin McCloud was married in his native sons, who are engaged in stockraising, in connec- county, and there six of his children were born: tion with farming. Mr. McCloud and family are Samuel, Elizabeth, William, Duffy, Sarah and members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and John. In 1809 he and family emigrated to Mus- he has been trustee in the same. His sons are kingum county, Ohio, and settled on what is now with the republican party. He has held a number the Self farm, owned by William Self. He pur- of local offices, and has filled them in a creditable chased 160 acres. He came overland with a manner.
wagon and five horses, and was several weeks on Presley McCloud was born in Muskingum the road. After locating he took a ten-year lease, county, Perry township, Ohio, November 15, 1817, erected a log cabin, and resided there for some in a house and on a farm now owned by Judge time. There four more children were born: Mason, the house still standing. He was the James, Eliza, Mitchell and Presley. The father youngest of ten children born to Martin and Elsie subsequently sold the first farm and bought a (Self) McCloud. He was but nine years of age larger one, on which he lived until his death in when he came with his parents to Union township, 1857. He was associated with the Methodist and since that time he has lived in this township Episcopal church, and he it was who established and in the same house a period of about sixty four that church in the neighborhood. Although not years. He attended the district schools of the an educated man, he was possessed of an unusual county until about twenty years of age, and five years amount of good, sound sense, and was a prominent later, or in 1842, he married Miss Eliza A. Hunter, man in his day. At an early day, and before the and settled on this farm. She was born in Union war, when there was no physician in the county, township, Muskingum county, July 7, 1824, and was he acted in that capacity, setting broken bones and one of a family of nine children born to the marriage prescribing for the sick. He held many offices of of William Hunter, who came to this county in 1800. trust in the township and county, and was univer- The latter was a native of Ireland, and was a young sally respected. He was at first a whig in his man when he made his advent into this county. political views, but at the time of his death affili- He was married here to Miss Isabella Henderson, ated with the republican party. He was a pros- who was a native of Union township, but of Irish perous farmer and owned 184 acres of well-im- descent. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud passed thirty-nine proved land. Mrs. McCloud, who came with her years together. sharing each other's burdens and parents to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1809, died trials, and in June, 1881, Mrs. McCloud was called on the same farm as her husband in Muskingum hence. She was a member of the Presbyterian county, Union township, in 1852. She was a mem- church nearly all her life. They were the parents ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was of five children: William H., a physician at Ver- deeply interested in church affairs. Their son, milion, Edgar county, Ill .; David, a farmer of Samuel, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and Union township; Caroline, wife of Joseph Small- served twelve months. The children of this family wood, resides in Newark, Ohio; Robert W., a farmer are all deceased except Presley and John (subject), at home, and Anna B., married Howard W. Jones, of both of whom reside in Union township of this Columbus, Ohio. After the marriages of his two
508
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
daughters, who had kept house for him, Mr. Mc- two died in infancy. The family are members of Cloud took for his second wife Miss Lizzie Robert- the United Presbyterian church, of New Concord, son, a native of Washington township, Mus- Ohio. Mr. McClure owns a 100-acre farm where kingum county, born in 1827, and the daughter of he now resides, and an eighty-acre farm in High- M. B. Robertson. Mrs. McCloud died three years land township. He has been unusually successful after her marriage, in 1889, and was an active as a farmer, and is interested in educational and member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Mc- church matters, and, in fact all things for the im- Cloud also holds membership in that church, and provement and advancement of the county. He is one of the well-known and respected citizens can remember when the National road was built, of the county. He has been a member of the and when New Concord was not thought of. Masonic fraternity for forty years, and is a third
William McClure was born in Belmont county, degree mason of Malta lodge 118, at Norwich. Ohio, and was the eldest child of John and Mary He has held office in the township for a number ( He moved to Muskingum of years, and has been a deacon and treasurer in county, with his parents when he was about six his church for thirty-five years. In politics he years of age, and here attended school. He was has affiliated with the democratic party all his life. married in 1836, to Margaret Wileg, the daughter Mr. McCloud's farm, consisting of 100 acres of of John and Mary (Clark) Wileg. She was born in good land, is situated one-fourth of a mile from Pennsylvania and came to this county with her Norwich, and is on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. parents when very young. Both her parents died
James McClure is a native of Muskingum in Union township, this county, the father having county, Ohio, born in Union township. on the very followed farming for a number of years. Mr. and farm where he now resides, April 17, 1817. He was Mrs. McClure were the parents of eight children: the youngest, but one, of a family of eight children Mary, John (died at the age of twenty-two years), born to the union of John and Mary (Fergeson) Mc- Robert, Nancy (died at the age of twenty-six years), Clure. John McClure came to Ohio at a very Eliza (died at the age of twenty-four years), Maggie, early date, and settled in Belmont county, where he Sarah and Martha, all married except Maggie, and married, and in 1816 came to Union township and all farming in Kansas. The entire family were settled on the farm now owned by James. This members of the United Presbyterian church. He farm then consisted of 160 acres, and here he lived lived in Union township also in Highland, where until his death, in 1820. He was a very prosper- he died in 1869, his wife dying in 1872. He was a ous farmer, and in politics a whig. Mrs. McClure republican in politics, took a great interest in all was born in Pennsylvania, and died in this county educational matters and was one of the very success- in 1864. Both Mr. and Mrs. McClure were mem- ful farmers of this county. His children have all bers of the Union church, but before her death been very prosperous.
Mrs. McClure joined the United Presbyterian Boggs McDonald, Zanesville, Ohio, is a descend- church. They were the parents of the following ant of one of the prominent families of Muskingum eight children: William (died some years ago); township, Muskingum county, Ohio, and is of Scotch John (now living in Indiana); Nancy (now Mrs. descent, his grandfather, Archibald McDonald, Moore, of New Concord); Thomas (deceased); having emigrated from Scotland to America at a Margaret (deceased, was the wife of James Mc- period antedating the Revolutionary war in which Loud, of Indiana); Mary (deceased, married George he served as body guard for Gen. Washington. Sterall, of Rich Hill, or Blue Rock township); Archibald McDonald settled in Washington county, James (our subject), and Sarah (who married Rob- Penn., and was married to Miss Elizabeth Brownlee, ert Marshall, and is living in Guernsey county, of that county, becoming the father of seven chil- Ohio. The early life of James McClure was spent dren by this union: Elizabeth, Catherine, Peggy, on the farm where he now lives, and he was educated Hammie, Christian, James and John. Mr. Mc- in the schools of this district. He started out for Donald subsequently moved to Ohio county, W. himself, at the age of twenty-one years, as a farm- Va., settled on a farm, and there died at the er, and has never lived anywhere except on the advanced age of eighty-four years. He made a home farm. He was married, December 28, 1853, visit to Ohio to see his son prior to his death. His to Elizabeth McLand, daughter of Samuel and son, John McDonald, and the father of the imme- Margaret (Burley) McLand. She was born June diate subject of this sketch, was born in Washing- 14, 1824, and died May 1, 1886. She was the ton county, Penn., in 1795, received but a limited mother of seven children, five lived to matur- education, and became familiar with the duties of ity and four are yet living: Mary (died at the farm in early boyhood. By his marriage, which at eleven years of age, Lizzie (who is at home), occurred in Ohio county, W. Va., to Miss Margery John S. (is in New Mexico), Thomas M (is work- Boggs, there were born these children: William, ing on the home place), Anna (is at home), and Elizabeth (died when a young woman), Jane,
509
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Margery, Christian, Boggs, Archibald, James and resided in Union township until 1857, when he Margaret. On October 12, 1832, Mr. McDonald moved to Iowa and settled on a fine farm in Dela- came to Muskingum county, Ohio, making the ware county, about thirty-six miles from Dubuque. journey in an old-fashioned Virginia wagon drawn There he died in 1871, when seventy-one years of by four horses. He settled on the land now occu- age. He and wife held membership in the Reformed pied by his son James, and bought 200 acres of Presbyterian church and he was deacon for many Elias Ellis, paying $12 per acre for it. To this he years. In politics he was a republican. His son, added as years passed by until he finally owned Rev. Thomas M. Stevenson, was a soldier in the 800 acres of excellent land. He also owned 800 Civil war, enlisting in Company E, Seventy-eighth acres in Dakota. He was industrious and frugal Ohio Volunteer infantry, and raising a company and thus accumulated a goodly estate. He served of which he was made captain, being chaplain of one month as a fifer in a light horse regiment dur- the regiment at the same time. He was a man of ing the War of 1812. Both himself and wife, excellent character and was noted for his sterling were members of the Presbyterian church, and he worth. Another son, Robert W. Stevenson, is a was one of the founders of the Muskingum Presby- noted educator, having worked himself up from the terian church in this township, also assisting common schools. He became superintendent of the liberally with his means to build three churches. public schools of Columbus, Ohio, which position He was one of the charter members of the church he held for eighteen consecutive years. He is now and served as elder many years. In politics he superintendent of the public schools of Wichita, was at one time an old line whig, but in later years Kas., and is also secretary of the National was a stanch republican and a strict union man Teachers' association. After marriage Mr. Mc-
during the war. One of his sons, James, served Donald settled in Muskingum township and resided three years in a Pennsylvania Cavalry regiment, for two years near the old homestead, after which Company C, entering August, 1862, while attend- he moved to his present farm in the same town- ing college at Washington, Penn. He participated ship. To his marriage were born six children: in the battles: Antietam; Stone River; Bristol, James H., Flora B. (who died after marriage, when Tenn. ; Holston River and many skirmishes. John twenty-six years of age), Thomas E., Robert H., McDonald was a well-known man in his township, John H. and Harry S. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and was one of the prominent and most worthy are connected with the Presbyterian church and citizens of the same. His death occurred on Janu- Mr. McDonald has been elder for many years. In ary 21, 1879, when eighty-four years of age. His politics he is a stanch republican. He enjoys the son, Boggs McDonald, the subject of this sketch, confidence and respect of his fellowmen and has owes his nativity to Ohio county, W. Va., where been township treasurer for four and a half years his birth occurred on June 6, 1830, and was reared and trustee of the township for some time. He is on his father's farm in that county, being but two well informed on all the current topics of the day years old when the latter located in Muskingum and is a gentleman whose pleasant, genial man- county, Ohio. He received but the common-school ners, and honorable, upright conduct have won him education of those days, and like his father and many warm friends. His son, Thomas E., is a grandfather before him, chose agricultural pursuits banker at Danbury, Neb., and is doing well. He as his occupation in life. He selected as his com- married Miss Mand Patmore, and they have one panion in life Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, daughter child, Elizabeth J. Another son, Robert H., is in of James and Elizabeth (Wallace) Stevenson, the a hotel at Lincoln, Neb .; James H. is principal of former born in County Armaugh, Ireland, in March, the public schools of Negaunee, Mich. He is a 1800, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Stevenson graduate of the University of Wooster, Ohio, and came with his parents to America in 1820. He is liberally educated. John H. has attended school was one of seven children: William, Mary, James, at Dresden and wielded tlie ferule for several terms Archie, Eliza, Jane and Samuel, born to the mar- in Muskingum county. Harry S. is at home and riage of Thomas Stevenson who was a farmer and attending school." He is a young man of excellent who settled in Pennsylvania at an early date. character.
About 1820 or 1825 the latter came to Muskingum E. McDonald, merchant, and postmaster of county and settled in Union township. He and McDonald, Ohio, one of the successful and popu- wife were members of the Reformed Presbyterian lar business men of Muskingum connty, and a church. James Stevenson came with his parents much esteemed and respected citizen, was born in to Union township when twenty-five years of age, Salt Creek township, Muskingum county, Olio, and in 1824 married Miss Elizabeth Wallace, July 26, 1846. His parents, John and Sarah becoming the father of ten children: Thomas, (Mershon) McDonald, were natives respectively of Margaret, Mary Jane, Robert, William, Agnes, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and he was third in Elizabeth, Lora. John aud Sarah. Mr. Stevenson order of birth of four children. His paternal
510
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
grandfather was a native of Ireland but of Scotch state, he began working for the farmers of Mus- descent. The latter crossed the ocean to America kingum county. He received no education, but in 1806, settled in Pennsylvania, and there made learned to read and write, and having a naturally his home until 1816, when he moved to Muskin- good mind he could make mental calculations gum county, Ohio. There he followed agricultural more quickly than most men could figure. He pursuits and there his death occurred in 1872. grew up in the rough school of pioneer life and E. McDonald, the subject of this sketch, received gained character among the sturdy pioneers of his education in the common schools, and early his day. He married Nancy Lovett, born May 6, became familiar with the duties of the farm, his 1796, and the daughter of Daniel and Mary father having been a successful tiller of the soil. (James) Lovett, who came from Maryland in 1810 When twenty-one years of age he started out for and settled in Jackson township of this county. himself as a school teacher, and followed this pro- The mother was of Welsh descent. Mr. Lovett fession for seven years, when he embarked in the and his wife became the parents of twelve chil- mercantile business. This he has continued up dren: John, Evan, Jonas, William, Daniel, to the present time, and has one of the best Thomas, Nancy, Susan, Mary, Lydia, Hannah and country stores in the county. He is an energetic Sarah. Daniel Lovett died a few years after he and honorable business man, who has gained the came to Ohio, and left a large family of children entire confidence of his numerous customers in all to be cared for by his widow. He died Septem- parts of the country. He was married in 1871 to ber 27, 1821, at the age of fifty-three years. His Miss Marthia A. Cline, daughter of Thomas and wife was born June 10, 1776, and died May 10, Mary (Ewing) Cline, and four interesting children 1841. The father was a minister of the Baptist are the fruits of this union. Allie, Rosa, Howard, church and preached the gospel in both Mary- and Harley E. Mr. McDonald has held the office land and Ohio. After his marriage George Mc- of justice of the peace for twelve years, and was Donald settled in Jefferson township, worked for He has some time on the Ohio canal, but in 1830 entered elected again for a term of three years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.