History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 111

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678

USA > Ohio > Harrison County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 111
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 111

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).

Dr. MeGavran's parents moved to Harrison County. Ohio, about 1840. The father was a cabinet-maker and to some extent farmed. In 1859 he was elected state representative from Harrison County on the republican ticket. and was serving when the Civil war broke out in 1861.

To the doctor's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. MeGavran, were born six children. viz. : James B .. deceased : Henrietta, deceased, who married W. H. Masters. of Scio: George W .. deceased : Samuel B .. the subject of this review : Eliza-

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S. B. MiGavran B.S. M.D

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beth, deceased wife of M. E. Clendennin ; and William Thomas, deceased, who married Nannie F. Kennedy.

Of Dr. Samuel B. McGavran's early boyhood it may be stated that he had to rely upon his own resources. He had the advantages of the common schools, and two full years' attendance at New Hagerstown Academy, after which he taught school five years to obtain funds to de- fray his expense in taking a collegiate course. attending this academy during the summer. He completed his junior year in Scio College in Harrison County in 1869. In 1870 he entered the Cleveland (Ohio) Medical College, graduat- ing therefrom February 29, 1872. By reason of his class standing he was made the valedic- torian of the class, which had a membership of twenty-nine, and delivered the address with honors.

In the month of June. 1874, he commenced the practice of medicine in the village of Bow- erston. Harrison County. Ohio. There he was eminently successful, but preferring a wider field, moved on December 1, 1882. to Cadiz. the county seat. Here he has built up a medical practice second to none in the county. In the pursuit of his profession he has traveled thou- sands of miles. and made hundreds of profes- sional calls where the remuneration was not considered, knowing his patient was unable to pay him for his services. In brief, be has al- ways been liberal to the poor and distressed portion of the community, and has endeared himself to hundreds of home fire-sides within his native county. in which his entire life has been spent as a faithful physician and an en- ·terprising and highly esteemed citizen who has ever had the best interests of his town, county and state at heart.

As evidence of his ability let it be said that he has been the physician and surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for thirty years and is still holding this position. For many years he was examining surgeon for the United States Pension Board in Harrison County. In 1896. with six others, he was ap- pointed by Governor Asa Bushnell as member of the Ohio Board of State Medical Registration and Examination ; re-appointed, and served in all twelve years. He has been examiner for all the leading life insurance companies in this county.

As medical examiner of the Draft Board dur- ing the recent World war the Adjutant Gen- eral of Ohio commended him for making the best medical examinations in the state. In 1920 he was appointed the first designated exam- iner of the United States Public Health Service. whose duty it is to examine soldiers of the World war. When the new law in Ohio re- quired a health commissioner in each county. Dr. MeGavran was appointed as such for Har- rison County. serving from February. 1920. to February, 1921. when he resigned on account of ill health. For a number of years he has served as one of the trustees of Harrison County Chil- dren's Home.

His has been an active career, and when not occupied in his profession he has found time and a disposition to write much for both the

medical and secular press, as well as occasional articles for religious publications. In 1894 he compiled the first history Harrison County ever had in book form. In this small volume he crowded in much of historic value and general interest concerning this county from its first settlement up to time of publication. He was appointed historian at the time of the dedication of the present Court House, and on that day delivered the address, as he also did upon the occasion of the unveiling of the Hon. John A. Bingham monument in the Court House yard. These efforts were well received by the press and people. It was he who, as a leading citi- zen of Cadiz, was instrumental in securing the present Court House when there arose a contest between other towns of the county and Cadiz.

Doctor McGavran has long been a member of the County and State Medical Societies, as well as the American Medical Association. in which he has frequently prepared and read valuable articles and papers.

In its historical sketch of 1909 the Demo- crat . Sentinel includes him among those from Harrison County who have found recognition in the "FIELD OF LETTERS."

At the organization of the Fourth National Rank on March 28, 1893. he was elected direc- tor, which office he has held ever since. and is at the present time vice president of this in- stitution.

In his church affiliations Doctor MeGavran is a Presbyterian, and has been an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Cadiz since 1883, and not only in this church, but in many other churches he has been of great usefulness. Po- litically he has always been a supporter of the republican party. While residing in Bowers- ton he was elected to a seat in the Ohio Legis- lature. being elected by an overwhelming ma- jority. In that body he was placed on numerous important committees, and was found entirely satisfactory by his constituents. The Doctor is an honored member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias orders at Cadiz (see Lodge Chapter). Scio College many years since conferred the degree of B. S. on him as one of that institu- tion's alumni.

In August. 1872. Doctor MeGavran was mar- ried to Jennie E. Johnston, of New Hagerstown, Carroll County, Ohio, and to them were born four children : Mary Brown. who married C. H. Judkins, of Cleveland, Ohio; Charles William. of Columbus, Ohio. married to Flora Holmes. of Hopedale. Ohio: Frank Johnston. of Cadiz, Ohio, married to Mary V. Holt, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania : and George C., .of Troy. Ohio, who married Nelle Geiger. of Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. McGavran, who had endeared herself to all who knew her by her kind, gentle and sympa- thetic manner, and with whom the Doctor shares all credit for whatever successes he may have attained, died April 1. 1919. the Doctor. all the children. and eleven grandchildren surviving.

Doctor MeGavran prizes his acquaintances and friends in Harrison County as his chief assets.

The above is an outline of the life of a man whose career has not been one-sided, but whose deeds have affected nearly every avenue of

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community life; the professions, church life, cit- izenship, and who has ever been a true friend of his brother man.

IBA S. MOODY. A broad-minded, public-spir- ited citizen of Carrollton, Carroll County, Ira S. Moody, a prominent coal operator and mer- chant, has long been associated with the higher and better interests of this section of the state, ever advocating and working for those ideas and measures that will be of lasting good to the community. A native of Carroll County, he was born, April 12, 1874, in Center Township, on the farm which his Grandfather Moody hewed from the wilderness. On the paternal side he is of Irish ancestry, being a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of James Moody, the immi- grant, the lineage being thus traced: James. John, John, Frank B., and Ira S.

Born and reared in Ireland, James Moody came as a young man to the United States. making his way directly to Ohio. Locating in Fox Township, in that part of Columbiana County that is now included in Carroll County, he took up land near Scroggsfield, and began to clear from the dense wilderness a home for himself and family.

His son John Moody was born and brought up on the parental homestead, in Fox Township. and there spent his entire life, being engaged during his active career in agricultural pur- suits. He married Phoebe Pugh, and to them seven children were born. three sons and four daughters.

John Moody, son of the foregoing John Moody, was born January 14, 1818, in Carroll County. where he acquired his early education. At the age of fourteen years, he went to Harrisburg. Carroll County, and there served with his brother-in-law, David Need, an apprenticeship at the wagon maker's trade. Returning to his home at the end of three years, he subsequently entered the employ of Elisha McG-, the pioneer wagon and plow manufacturer of Car- rollton. Embarking in business on his own account in 1839, he continued at his trade for a number of years, building up a large business. Subsequently buying a farm of 160 acres near Carrollton, he moved on to it, and in addition to carrying on general farming and sheep rais- Ing operated a coal mine, being the pioneer in that branch of industry. He was a republican in politics, influential in party ranks, and served two terms as county treasurer. He married. March 28. 1839, Lena, danghter of John and Mary (Reed) Pugh, of Virginia, and they be- come the parents of the following named chil- dren : Mary Ann. who became the wife of John Gratz: John married Areal Amos, daughter of William Amos. of Carroll County : Frank P .. father of Ira S .; William married Susie, daugh- ter of W. F. Brecker, of Carrollton: William Harrison died in 1841; Phoebe Ellen died in 1843; Maurice died in 1857; and Samantha Jane died in 1888. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. Neither are now living. It is well here to say that John Moody, the pioneer coal dealer of Carroll County, oper- "ted a mine situated on the farm now owned by Honorable D. O. Rutan, conducting the busi-

ness for a quarter of a century. He was suc- ceeded by his son Frank, and his grandson, Ira S., who operated on a much more extensive scale, the Moodys having supplied the people of this part of Ohio for a full half century.

Frank P. Moody was born in Carrollton, Ohio, September 8, 1853, and acquired his education in the public schools. Growing to manhood on the farm, he became familiar with coal mining. and having succeeded to the business estab- lished by his father operated the mine located on the farm now owned by Mrs. Emma Faw- cett for a number of years. He married, Octo- ber 16. 1873. Catherine C. Smeltz, who was born January 26, 1854, in Union Township. Carroll County, where her father, Peter Smeltz. was a pioneer settler. Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Moody. who are now living on a farm just west of Car- rollton, have but one child, Ira S.

Ira S. Moody became associated with his fa- ther in business when a young man, and has operated on an extensive scale. For a long time he and his father supplied the local brick yard with coal, also carrying on a large domes- tic business, and their mine, with the exception of the brick yard, giving employment to more men than any other concern in Carrollton. When the mine was practically worked out father and son gave up operating it. In 1912 Ira S. Moody established what is now one of the most modern and convenient coal yards in this section. it being located along the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, south side of Carrollton. and there he is carrying on a large and substan- tial business, handling the Pennsylvania and Ohio coal, and furnishing most of the coal con- sumed by the people of Carrollton. Mr. Moody founded his business on the principles elucidated by the honest coal dealers. his motto. to which he is ever faithful. being "No short weights. and no long waits." As a youth Mr. Moody worked for awhile on the old "Carrollton Re- publican." learning the printer's trade. and later held cases for awhile on that paper's suc- cessor, the "Republican Standard."

Mr. Moody is a fine musician. his favorite instrument being the double BB hass on which he has become very proficient. He has had a wide experience in the band business, covering a period of over twenty years. playing with many good organizations. He was one of the leading spirits in the famous Carrollton Band. and was its manager for a number of years. This organization was made up from the best families of Carrollton and would have been a credit to many towns of a much larger popula- tion. for it attracted considerable attention wherever it went. Mr. Moody served a five-year enlistment with the Fifth Regiment Rand. When this organization was engaged to play Đt St. Louis Exposition in 1905 Mr. Moody was with them on this engagement. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons. belonging to lodge. chapter. council and commandery.

Mr. Moody married. November 7, 1903. Miss Josephine Campbell, and they have an attrac- tive home, in which they hospitably entertain their many friends and acquaintances. Mr. and

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Mrs. Moody have no children. Both are active and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRANK JOHNSTON is actively identified with banking interests in his native county, where he is associated with the Cummings Trust Com- pany, one of the leading financial institutions at Carrollton, and he is one of the alert and progressive young men of Carroll County. He was born at New Hagerstown, this county, Oc- tober 1. 1887, and is a son of John N. and Mar- garet J. (Leggett) Johnston, the former of whom was likewise born at New Hagerstown, in 1852, and the latter of whom was born at Leesville, this county. in 1854. Francis John- ston. grandfather of him whose name introduces this review. was born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler in Orange Township, Carroll County, Ohio, where he developed a valuable farm which is still in the possession of the family and upon which he remained until his death. in 1887. his wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Geiger, having likewise been a native of the old Keystone State and having passed to eternal rest. Robert G. and Mary Ann (Forbes) Leggett. maternal grandparents of Frank Johnston, were natives of Ohio. and in Carroll County they maintained their residence on their farm until their removal to Dewitt County, Illinois, where they passed the remainder of their lives and where the lat- ter died in 1918, after having survived her hus. band by several years.

John N. Johnston was reared on the old home farm and received the advantages of the public schools of Carroll County. He became one of the substantial farmers of his native county. and also developed a prosperous busi- ness in the buying and shipping of live stock and wool. He remained on his farm. near New Hagerstown, until 1910, when he established his residence at Carrollton. where he continued to maintain his home until his death. February 2. 1917, his wife having passed away on the 29th of May, 1901. and both having been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. They be- came the parents of three children: Mary F. is the wife of Austin O. McDowell. of Heyworth, Illinois, and they have two children, Carrie Grace and Austin Johnston: Carrie N., the sec- ond of the three children. died June 15. 1910. at the age of twenty-five years: and Frank. of this sketch, is the youngest of the children.

Frank Johnston passed his childhood and early youth on the old home farm of his father. in Orange Township, and in addition to availing himself of the advantages of the public schools he completed a course in a business college Pt Wooster. Thereafter he became actively as- sociated with his father in the buying and ship- ping of wool. and with this enterprise he con- tinued his identification until 1910, when he as- sumed the position of bookkeeper in the offices of the Cummings Trust Company. of which he Inter became assistant treasurer. Of this im- portant institution he is now vice president. as is he also of the Scio Bank Company, at Scio. Harrison County, of which he was one of the organizers and of which he was elected vice

president in 1916. Mr. Johnston is still one of the leading buyers and shippers of wool in Carroll County, in which line of enterprise he is associated with D. O. Rutan, under the firm name of Rutan & Johnston and with headquar- ters at Carrollton.

When the nation became involved in the great World war Mr. Johnston subordinated all other interests when called into war service. On the 6th of October, 1917. he entered the medical de- partment of the Three Hundred and Thirty- second United States Infantry. - with which he was assigned to duty at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and with which he went to France in June, 1918. He continued in active service with the American forces in France and Italy, until after the signing of the historic armistice. and he once more landed in his native land on the 18th of April, 1919, his honorable discharge having been received on the 2d of the follow- ing month. He was a sergeant, first class in the medical corps, at the time of receiving his discharge, efficiency having led to his promotion from the rank of private. During the first sum- mer after his return to his home county Mr. Johnston devoted his attention to the wool busi- ness. and on the 1st of October. 1919, he re- sumed his association with the Cummings Trust Company, of which he is now vice president, as before noted. He and his wife hold member- ship in the Presbyterian Church of Carrollton and are popular factors in the social activities of their home city.

December 9, 1919. recorded the marriage of Mr. Johnston to Miss Angeline Long, who like- wise was born and reared in Carroll County and who is a daughter of J. Madison Long, a representative farmer of Center Township, and they have one son, John Nelson.

WALTER H. ALLENSWORTH is a bachelor farmer whose popularity in his native county is un- qualified and who is numbered among the suc- cessful exuenents of agricultural and live-stock enterprise in Loudon Township. where he is associated with his younger brother in the pro- ductive operations of the old home farm, which is one of the excellent places that make Carroll County a center of noteworthy prominence in the field of agricultural industry.

Mr. Allensworth was born in Perry Township. this county. November 27. 1870, and is a son of Henry and Justina ( McCaskey ) Allensworth, the former of whom was born in Jefferson County. Ohio, and the latter in Perry Town- ship. Carroll County. her father. George McCas- key. having been a native of Ireland and her mother having been born in Jefferson County, Ohio. The MeCaskey family was early estab- lished in this section of Ohio. as was also the Allensworth family, whose lineage traces back to staunch English origin. Jacob and Rebecca (Calhoun) Allensworth, grandparents of Wal- ter H .. early became associated with farm en- terprise in Jefferson County and they were resi- dents of thet county at the time of their death. After his marriage Henry Allensworth estab- lished his residence in Orange Township, Car- roll County. During the last eighteen months of the Civil war he served as a member of Com-

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pany H, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in a number of en- gagements of major order, as well as in vari- ous skirmishes. He received his honorable dis- charge after victory had crowned the Union arms, and in after years he vitalized his inter- est in his old comrades by maintaining affilia- tion with the Grand Army of the Republic. After the war he engaged in the work of the blacksmith trade, in which he was a skilled workman, and in pursuance of this vocation he made a number of changes of residence in the passing years. Finally, in October, 1899, he established his residence on the Alpha Sim- mons farm, in Loudon Township, and here he continued his alliance with constructive agri- culture until the time of his death, in Janu- ary, 1911, his widow passing to eternal rest on the 29th of November, 1919, and the home farm being now in charge of the two younger sons. Of the children the eldest is Dr. J. E., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in the city of Canton, Stark County ; W. H. is a farmer in Perry Township, Carroll County; Walter H., of the sketch, was the next in order of birth ; Ida is the wife of J. E. Chase, of Loudon Town- ship: Charles is associated with his brother Walter in the management of the home farm; and Lena is the wife of E. M. Sheridan, of Orange Grove, California.

Walter H. Allensworth acquired his early education in the public schools and remained with his parents until their death, since which time he and his younger brother have con- ducted the home farm with ability and excellent attending success. He still permits his name to remain enrolled on the list of eligible bache- lors in his native county. He is loyal in sup- porting measures and enterprises projected for the communal welfare, is affiliated with the Kilgore Grange and is a republican in his po- litical allegiance.

GEORGE M. WELSH. successful general farmer and stock-raiser of Archer Township, owns and operates 160 acres of land and is recognized as one of the representative men of Harrison County. He was born in Archer Township, December 13, 1859, a son of David Welsh and a grandson of John Welsh, who was born in Ireland in 1782, and died December 30. 1871. His wife, Jane Mcclellan, was born in 1792 and died February 17. 1872. They were married in 1813. Coming to America when he was ten years of age with his parents, he was reared in this country, and in young manhood located in Archer Township, Harrison County, Ohio, and here entered a farm from the govern- ment. and spent the remainder of his life im- proving and operating his farm. He and his wife had the following children: Mary, who was born August 27. 1814: Elizabeth, who was born August 26. 1816: Ann, who was born Au- gust 8, 1818: Samuel, who was born June 13. 1820: John K., who was born November 6. 1822: Mathew, who was born March 21. 1825: Jane, who was born May 6. 1827: James, who was born November 11. 1829: David, who was born November 18. 1831: and William A., who was born April 5. 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Jobn

Welsh were members of the Presbyterian Church.

David Welsh was reared on the farm in Archer Township where he was born, and on it he spent his life, owning at the time of his death, April 11, 1918, 237 acres of land. He was married to Susannah Fisher, born in Rum- ley Township, Harrison County, February 2, 1833, a daughter of George Fisher, one of the early settlers of Rumley Township. They had the following children: George M., who was the eldest born; Ella, who was born October 27, 1862, died August 26, 1865; John V., who was born December 22, 1863, died September 1, 1865: Mary, who was born August 15, 1867. died October 7, 1902, as the wife of Vern Pat- terson : Harry E., who was born May 18, 1869; Clara Amanda, who was born October 8, 1871, married Alva D. Cavin June 17. 1914. and died August 7. 1914; Emma Viola, who was born August 22, 1875, died March 21, 1889: and Ger- tie, who was born January 13, 1878. married Robert Henderson, and lives at Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. The parents of these children also belonged to the Presbyterian church, in which they were active. Mrs. Welsh died be- fore her husband, passing away July 21, 1906.

George M. Welsh attended the district schools of Archer Township, and adopted farming as his life work. He remained at home until he was thirty-nine years of age, and then, may 31. 1899, he was married to Nora Burdett, a daugh- ter of James and Sarah (Porter) Burdett, and made a home of his own, moving on his present farm of 160 acres, on which he is carrying on general farming and stockraising. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh have one child, Harlan B., who was born April 25. 1905. Having been brought up in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Welsh connected himself with it after he reached years of discretion. and he and his wife belong to the Ridge Church of that de- nomination. He is an experienced farmer and his land shows the results of his care and knowledge of his calling.

Harry E. Welsh, brother of George M. Welsh. attended the Oak Grove district school, and was also taught farming by their careful and sensi- ble father. He has developed into one of the prosperous general farmers and stockraisers of Archer Township.

On June 24, 1914. Mr. Welsh was united in marriage with Abbie Lorana McClain, a daugh- ter of J. A. and Catherine McClain. They. too. belong to the Ridge Presbyterian Church.

JAMES DANIEL. SLATES owns and resides upon the old homestead farm which represents land obtained by his paternal grandfather from the Government more than a century ago, this an- vestral farmstead being situated in Loudon Township. Carroll County. The grandfather. John Slates. Sr .. was born in Londoun County. Virginia. August 2, 1784, and was there reared to manhood. There he married Miss Elizabeth Ruse. who was born in that county in 1780. both families, of English origin. having been founded in Virginia in the colonial period of our national history. John and Elizabeth Slates became the parents of three sons and

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History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 111

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Number of Pages: 678

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678