Gc M. L.
929.2 M175m 1550999
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
/f,
(S-
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
[ 3 1833 01143 7917
Digitized by the Internet Arciiive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/originhistoryofmOOinmegi
\- 1 <
-.m'^
,^"^- ^ S-V-. . ■
%gft^^-'^<^fm^.
... Jl
^-««rs
>-.
y
/
/•^^
«-r
>^ ^
/ x
// ^ / ^<^/^t^^<^-t>z-ot'y
" ^.
V
\
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
OF THE qJ
- I
MACJ_NNJS_FAMiU':
WITH SKETCHES OF THE
Keylor. Swisher, Marcbbaok and Bryan Fairjlies.
Children's children are ihe crown of old men, -^"^
And the glory of children are their fathers. , I ' i>
— Proverbs rrii. 6.
By JOHN R. ^^_EQm^^I^ESS,
Author " Biogbaphy of Frances Slocl'mT*"" Historical Jouenal," etc.
williamsport, pa. :
Heller Bros." Printing House.
I 8 9 T .
i r
1 T. A '
I I ( '; / /
y ■/ ' \
I /
:./...; r ,/ ,f
> --l
X ]-l C) I
■; !:h}\
nf^
:.ij;fH
T p f'. 7
Xo /^/
1550999
n g)
-f^—
I
The Long Ago.
A wonderful stream is the River Time As it rtins tli rough the realms nf Tears.
With a faultless rhythm, and a musical rhyme.
And a broader sweep, and a surge sublime, As it blends with the ocean of Years.
—B. F. Taylor.
The River.
Oh, rugged nverl restless river!
Kiver of years— river of tears—
Thou river of Life !
River of gladness! Yet o'er the blue of the beauti- ful sky floats a cloud.
Oat nf whose fleecy whiteness the Loom of Cod is weaving a shroud.
* * « • «
And while the waters glow and srlisten. And how seMom du we listen
To the turning of the ponderous « heel of Time. Over whose granite sides are rushing
The waves of the river in a symphony sublime ! —Mary E. HiU.
tr~®
T^^- !>>!
# >/ >i SV \"'i ". *
.■:,: .:. ti.:A
.^.
iV
:-4^:
*>^— rib
A FEW WORDS OF EXPLANATION.
WHEN I first conceived the idea of preparing this Httle book, it was mj- intention to publish nothing but a record of my own family and of those families which had become connected with it by marriage; but as the work of collecting material progressed, so many interesting facts relating to other fami- lies of the same name were developed, that it became evident something of the origin and history of the Magennis line should be given. It was therefore decided to enlarge the tield of investigation and gather what material could be crowded into the pages of a small volume. This soon resulted in the accumulation of much interesting family histor}- which, pos- sibly, may prove of some value to the general reader, as well as to those bearing the name.
The date of the origin of the clan of Magennis runs so far back that it has almost become obscured by the haze of an- tiquity. Long before the Christian era, eight sons of King Milesius, of Spain, raised a fleet and sailed for Ireland for the purpose of conquest. When about to land, a storm arose and dispersed the fleet. Five of the eight brothers were drowned. The saved — Heber, Heremon and Amergin, and Heber Don, sou of Ir, (one of the brothers lost,) effected a landing, met the natives in battle* routed them, seized the country and founded a colony. Heber and Heremon divided the territoiy between them. The third brother became their arch priest. This was in 1699 B. C. In course of time quarrels arose be- tween them, and Heber was slain. Amergin then claimed a
ZOIT/.X/ T'^/;' ^T(') ^-::I*»V/ V/H-I /.
^ ■ f
•^
■•=*.; J. 'i:(i;
nr.;; vi.'^f/' -:iil lo r 'lij
C.
' "''■.■;'' ',;:i - .;j'>:i jc; v;:^,i:; :i;.r/.',' ....l; :;:^ -Imii: :fO!ti ;^i;.., -ii' i
■xr.i
:i: i'^ ■r,iiTi "jr
■^r-:; Aji',6
,Jr;ol fnsn; C'i
.11 10 ac*
■Vi f
2 PREFACE. 1
share in the conquest, when more trouble arose and he was killed in battle. Thus Heremon became sole monarch. He then made another division of the land amongst his friends. , The north part of Ireland, now Ulster, he gave to his nephew, Heber Don, Ir's only son. From Ir, therefore, all the pro- vincial kings of Ulster, and all the ancient nobility, derive their pedigrees. The Magennis family had its origin in the Irian line, but it was not until the eleventh century that sur- names were adopted and the name began to undergo changes in spelling. All, therefore, bearing the name, no matter how it is spelled, descended from the same stock, and are of Mile- sian origin.
The clan, while in its original condition, was fierce and warlike, and engaged in many blood}- conflicts. The mean- ing of the name in its original orthography, "great strength," indicates that the members of the family were physically strong and powerful.
An examination of the early Irish annals, as found re- corded in that great work entitled The Four Masters, which brings the histon,^ down to 1616, shows that the original seat of the family was in what is now known as Count}' Down. There they lived, multiplied and flourished for hundreds of years; there they often engaged in bloody conflicts with the Clan O'Neil; there the Lords of Iveah came into existence and held sway until the rapacious English invaded Ireland, upturned society, confiscated estates, devastated the land by fire and sword, crushed the hearts of the people and caused their sons and daughters to seek homes in foreign lands.
Up to this time family records were carefully kept, and it is easy to trace their origin; but for a hundred years after the invasion society was so disrupted that it is difficult to pick up the ends of the broken threads and resume the narrative.
During the great emigration from Ireland to America in 1700, thousands of Irish sought these shores, and Philadel- phia and Newcastle seem to have been their objective points. We have evidence that there were many in the former city
u; •;;':>;-,[t.; yfij III Ir.r. , (oi'-fj \o y-u^'h' Ir.iytuv
.'[ni.<\ -::: bus; Ljitiohs. yvj !t d'yltifitx
J 7JiM,-i;/'J --': )•■'}•'' V,'' .a >-" ::■;,;".'.' ri:
'to <0'iv ,!
PREFACE. • 3
Ijearing the name of Magennis and McGinnis about the mid- dle of the eighteenth century, for we find them recorded in the marriage registry' Hsts of manj- of the churches. The register of Christ Church shows that Edward Maginnes and Rose FuUerton were married August 27, 1746. This is the first record we have. The second was that of Catharine Ma- ginnes and George Atkinson, on the 9th of August, 1756. Doubtless there were others whose records were not preserved; but from that time up to the close of the century, we find a large number whose names are recorded in the Vlllth and IXth volumes of the State Archives, second series.
In Stone's Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, (Vol. I, p. 517,) mention is made of Captain Maginnis, who com- manded a party of two hundred New Hampshire men, and made an attack on the shattered remnant of the French army, in 1755, after their disastrous assault on the fort at Lake George. The brave captain and his party were on their way to reinforce the English garrison at the lake when they fell in with the retreating French and dispersed them. In the fight he received a contusion on the head from a spent ball, which caused his death soon after reaching the camp. It is regretted that there is nothing on record to show when he reached this country and where he settled; but it is probable he landed at Boston and made his way to New Hampshire, where he soon afterwards entered the provincial ser\nce to assist in repelling the encroachments of the French.
There were many bearing the name who took part in the Revolutionar>^ War, the War of 1S12-14, and the Great Re- Ix^llion. In the latter conflict they were found on both sides, being governed m their action by their location and surround- ings when the war broke out."
It will be obser\'ed that several ways of spelling the name are in use. This has been brought about largely by the fancy of members of different branches of the original family. The correct way, according to eminent Irish historians, appears ou the title page, and it is explained in the proper place.
i(\'
.iihuillv'J !•> t; ;\i r-u-rr f".; t. ■• ^»;^ ^ \[T .^Vfifl 9W Iso-J^i
a -.'.u LiUjii J/;rij ino-il ?;;«.{
!;■ )■!
!' jt /t:.i-h Ufjflv/ 'izliil tiif-* ;,: ;i-'r-:v!;,': ;[;-.:!>;;•■ .^iV "jz^uhu^^j t"ij
,-! :i <'iai:'j y;I:' ^'ijflnx:^- ^jj;.?; no-y rij/.ab
r>; •/(■; ^^ •';;; :j\j:n'i b
■idi i:,!in.c-^''
if IS!
4 PREFACE. 5
The increase of the family has been rapid during the past hundred years. Members are found in ever}- State and Ter- ritor}' of the Union, as well as in the distant colony of Aus- tralia, and other portions of the globe. So rapid has been the increase that it is safe to sa\' there are fifteen hundred bearing the name in the United States alone to-da3\
As the years roll on, the desire to know something of an- cestry increases among all classes of our people. The gene- alogies of families have been greatly neglected in this country, so much, indeed, that in many instances it is with the great- est difficulty that famil}' records can be traced for three generations back. It was largel}- through a realization of this fact that I was impelled to attempt the work of collect- ing the records of my scattered family, and to place them in permanent form, not onh' for the benefit of those living, but for posterity. The task, while slow and tedious, has been pleasant; and if mj- labors are not appreciated by all who should be interested, there is much consolation in the reflec- tion that among those who will come after me there are likely to be few who will not express their thanks for wliat has been done, imperfect though it may be. It will save the future collector of family records much trouble and pave the wa}- for a broader and more comprehensive work.
From the rapidly growing desire among all classes to know whence they came, we are warranted in arriving at the con- clusion that the time is not far distant when every family, no matter how humble, will possess records showing its ancestry for many generations. This sentiment is forcibly illustrated in the remarks recently made by Hon. Marshall P. Wilder at the annual meeting of the New England Historical and Gene- alogical Society, when he said:
"The study of family history elevates and ennobles the nature of man, and lifts it up to a truer and nobler type. To know nothing: of our ancestry, or from whence we came, to have no reverence for the precious memories of the past, or an interest in those who are to suc- ceed us in the battle of life, is to ignore the elements and influences that have made us? what we are, to repudiate the natural instincts
^i;/. V. ■,":...:::> ■U.'!:,-)l '^d} :n -.r. I!
■■:r-b o* :,iKhX " :';;;j< L>-i>^in' '• '->\\''. ir. '~(:<i:r, -n'
.■'';I.t
:xf(ee-! x^ u^i]:''\'' .■'•'i'^-.iUi '-.iv;< -I ioc.: r.X.
vi .'JO ■'■sra
.^h.-
cno'i -i
PREFACE. . 5
and afTections of the human heart, and to suppress the aspirations and hojK's of a soul tlaat is to course on through endless cycles of et«'rnity. And what more precious testimonial of your love of kin- dred and home can you leave than that which provides for the trans- mission of the history of your ancestors, yourself and family, to future generations? And how consoling the thouglit, that when you shall have been gathered to your fathers, this history shall live tlirough all coming time, as a precious inheritance to your descend- ants ! This is a trust that Providence has confided to your care ; and who so dead to sympathy and aflection, to kindred and country, that would not preserve the records of his ancestors, the place of his birth, the home of his childhood, and the sacred spot where repose the loved and lost ones of earth I"
W. P.W. Phillimore, of London, in his invaluable little book entitled, "How to Write the Histor>' of a family," says :
" All races of men seem to possess an instinctive feeling that a line of honorable ancestry is a subject for legitimate pride. With the Cliinese the feeling has been exaggerated into what may be termed ancestor worship. It was so with the Greek and the Roman; it is so with the Teuton races. Even the Red Indian preserves some tradi- tion of his ancestors, and places the totem of the tribe over their graves, although necessarily with an uncultured race the personality of individual ancestors is soon forgotten.
" Who are in those graves we know not ; Only know they are our fathers.
" A few family memorials were compiled as early as the seven- teenth century ; but the independent family memoir, however, is a pnxluct almost exclusively of modern growth."
The importance of preserving our family records is beau- tifully set forth in the following poetic sentiment by Ada Idd^ngs Gale:
"What will Time give for what we lose —
Youth's rai)turous hope, The far outlook from which to choose
The wide, glad scope?
What will Time give? A little praise,
A little blame. An added gift of changeful days,
Perhaps a name.
HJAiiil^l
(...• i* -s-.- 1-vrt.-1'.
' .1 rr"*"- iT'^r" **'
|
•''■■ ;; ■ 1 t 1 1. ' |
|||
|
v; ;/>.;; "^ > |
J;i!i /.-C' |
;.'»A
6 PREFACE. -J
What will Time give? A narrow place,
A lonely spot, Remembrance for a little space
And then — forgot."
It is shown how carefulh- the Irish preserved their records down to 1600, when the break for a century or more occurred. During the present century the work has been revived in a more careful and enlarged form by John O'Hart, the famous genealogist of Kilkee, County Clare. His great work enti- tled " Irish Pedigrees," will stand for ages as a monument to his industry and genius in this line. I freely acknowledge my indebtedness to him for several autograph letters convey- ing valuable information relating to the pedigree of my own branch of the family.
In the collection of so many names found in the following pages, and the multiplicity of dates relating to births, mar- riages and deaths, some errors will undoubtedly be discovered. Perfection must not be expected in anything human. But to afford an opportunity for correction when an error is detected, a wide margin has been given to each page, so that it may be entered by pen or pencil, and new names added.
The work necessarily involved the writing of many letters of inquiry. Answers, with few exceptions, were promptly returned ; but less than half a dozen were so tardy as to pro- tract the work of compilation. In a very few instances no answers were received, which wall account for the blanks in some records and the scanty historj- of certain subjects.
So far as I am aware, no record of the same magnitude of this family was ever before attempted in the United States. May a perusal ot the following pages serve as an incentive for some person better qualified to take up the subject and present the genealogy in a more comprehensive form. Miss Mar>' R. Ford, of Allegheny, whose mother was a McGinnis, has recently compiled a genealogy- of the McGinnis and Scott families of that city, which is an exceedingly interest- ing and valuable contribution to our genealogical literature.
.%:.■
to
PREFACE. 7
For the purpose of showing the honorable positions attained liy many bearing the name, but not related to my branch of the family, I have given sketches of a number of McGin- neses scattered throughout the country-. These sketches do not include all worthy of mention; onl}- those whose histories could be obtained with the least labor and consumption of lime. Many more might have been secured, but it was found that if a halt was not called, the little volume w^ould soon reach a greater size than was originally contemplated.
The few records given in the closing pages will show that the military spirit of the clan is still unbroken. Distin- guished in early ages for patriotism and valor, those bearing the name, wherever found, are always ready to array them- st'lves in defence of what they deem the right, and to fight for whatever flag they may ow^e allegiance.
To Professor Lemuel E. McGinnis, Superintendent of the public schools of Steel ton, Dauphin County, I am indebted for the very full record of "the branch of the family that settled in Perr}' County, Pa." Like scores of others bearing the name, he has proven himself a successful educator, and has taken pride in ennobling his profession. All the profes- sions, with few exceptions, are represented by those bearing the name, conspicuous among them being law, medicine, the- ology, education, journalism, histor>' and literature. Many have attained to high distinction in civil and military pur- suits, and reflected credit and honor upon their names. The record is a proud one, and no descendant in the Irian line need be ashamed of his ancestry.
JOHN F. MEGINNESS.
WiLLIAMSPORT, Pa., 189I.
HjA'-i^H'l
as;'. >■-''•'' ":' ■ • ? i ^;r k 1.) r">t-::
io
.'(;;. r.ivlr;! ::-.. A
.ht,;i:::>J :;i ■:■,•;
■>;lif-f^! ;.v^>iij .'Iflnv ;.>;■
V •■.' -':>!.,•.
fif.J:!;^r':- •; . ,>:f;; {Stlj ;;•;.'': ivv^^; r^// i^H
i'J ■••; J:
:.., ;.(.,...-■ !!ij) ,-.:'r; ■■{;? i-!
-d; ]!/■ (!. i>^.j!..T.-;
i ?b.7.
i>(:f: Y~!Old J--
.P-
.l(>8l ,.A*T ."fltO^tW/UJlV/
1
BENJAMIN McGINNESS, Sr.
B. May 3. 1803 ; d April 6, 1S70.
See p 83.
BENJAMIN MEGINNE^S. Jr.
B.Oct. 13. 1840: d. Dec. 9, 1SS8.
See p 143.
M\\ ■•!■ i);c
WILLIAM McGINNESS.
B. March 24, 1804 ; d. Jan. 7, 1877.
See p. 69.
l-1!.v.Al.W3'=5
•". >- "«iy .a
'■■J >'i <■: IC'-iM M,A1..'.;'W
''^TT^T/'oy'v/V/ ^// ^// '^ 3^ <s. ^2\ •■ '<^'' ^'"Z "</'' "<'' ^-y ^</ '''/ /» /y //> /^y/> r,-^ ^/^ '^^ .^ ,^. ■• '/■• '/> K-> .-.':■ //> /^/a
I >i ^ iv;uii I K
null
The. Family of Magennis.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. :.■ ■: ■
History, as it lies at the root of all sfience, is also the first distinct })rodiu't of man's spiritual nature; his earli- est expression of what can he called Thought. * * It is the essence of innumerable Bioirraphies.
—Cmhjle..
^HE family of Magennis is one of the oldest in e) Ireland, yet comparatively little of its history is known in America. No genealogies, as far as known, have been published of any branches of the family in this country, notwithstanding there is a full record in Ireland down to the time of the English invasion in 1600. After that time, on account of the destruction of records, there is a break which can only be supplied by tradition for nearly a hundred years.
Those bearing the name in its various forms of spell- ing— although they have all descended from the same parent stem — are very numerous in the United States to-day, the greatest number, perhaps, being found in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, it seems, was the point to which the early immigrants directed their steps, and from there they gradually spread to the interior and western part of the state, as well as to other states.
It is greatly regretted that so little attention has been given to preserving the genealogies of families of the
\-x\
B
-'aM to 'f^
-qT
fl Q'/.f
:::J^
i)»;i
lO THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
name on this side of the Atlantic; and from the Revohi- tionary period to the beginning of the present centnry, some sharp gnessing must be resorted to in order to fix the ancestry of many families with any degree of cer- tainty.
To Hon. Edmnnd Francis Dnnne, late Chief Jnstice of Arizona, belongs the credit of making the first pub- lication relating to the history of the family in this conn- try. It is a pamphlet of only seventeen pages, however, and is composed of extracts from the Four Masters and other works on Irish history; but small as it is, it is an exceedingly valuable compilation, and shows in biief the wonderful history of a family whose origin dates so far back that it becomes lost in the misty past. And what is stranger still, the Judge had only thirty copies of his monograph printed. This was in 187S, and at the pres- ent day the existence of only two or three copies is known. But in order to place the historical extracts in more permanent form for the benefit of whoever may be interested, they are, by his permission, reproduced here, together with many others bearing on the history of the family.
Irish scholars inform us that the ancient orthography of the name of Magennis is Mag AengJmsa. O'Hart, in his great work on Irish Pedigrees, states that in olden times in Ireland society consisted of an aggregation of tribes or clans, and family names, as we use them, were unknown until the eleventh century. Individual mem- bers of the tribe, therefore, were designated by a name indicative of some distinguishing personal peculiarity. The word Aongus, or Aeneas, derived from Aon, excel- lent, and giis, strength, is the root of Guinness, Mac- Guinness, Innes, Ennis, &c. * Cionog (or Cionga,)
*0'IIart's Irish Pedigrees, p. 35, Dublin edition, 1881.
nlv\' i'A oil! jitoii hrn ;-)iJn;;[J/, yilj > • uu oniiin
.v1:?inJ )')'.jv;i [ V>k!0 :;J;:i ,^-::;,.''l •.;o:rj""i^ rnuiitil/H .m'^lt '/T
-';'!;■-•'' =.•■/■••';■., . !j i'-. v-: -V:; 'i f" ' ;;rii:»n':n nodfiDii
■!-y,".. /■i.'M /:.'•■ - • '"■■-' ■;' ; '!'<-' -■ .I'^: ■' ' ' .77;
.:;■ '.: .> ^^ .^ ^ •.,. .i; ■:;r. ;:.f ; /;■■:■ ... .' ; f ., v^i:^ ,,. •:j;{k>
t;'"/. i\.y. j'li::^ v^-rtfr :.:.; .a ':'■'. -■■^■■■-■■j. : li :£,iii AoiaI
-:;.; ".'■ .- ' ■;';:..■ Uei[ .:'.•'.■ i, m'J Jltj-^ .-ir
■-•rM :;;;.' :■ ■•:; w. ^.'^i 'fM'j" Iv^jnitc - , ■ - -•''*^
■^vi ■;• ill ■!::«V.SO{iv/ ''■ • ilij TM fU?frt jn" ^ 'It
.yy./i'. I .yji'ootq':-j , •<-: r:!;l • ■'. ,^>rc \ ..;!r
/ [ ! njBl
■lO'^.^lJ ,v<.\>.. /. .,/,
.fWf-f .fj«iii!.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. s II
brother of Ros, who is No. 63 on the "O'Farrell" pedi- ••ree, was the ancestor of MacAonghuis, (oneeth,) which h.LS been anglicised into the various forms of the name we find to-day."^
According to MoUoy's Irish Grammar, page 7, Dub- lin edition, 1S67, in the Irish writing of the word there is no h after ^, but the ^ has a dot over it, and wheu^ (ir r/are dotted and occur in the middle or at the end of a word they are silent, but have the effect of lengthen- ing the preceding vowel. By usage h is inserted in Knglish after an Irish dotted letter to denote the dot. The word Aenghusa is, therefore, pronounced in Irish, Aen-ns-a, with the accent on the first. In time, for euphony, says MoUoy, page 12, the final a was dropped, and the word became Aen-us, anglicised to Ennis or In- nis. The English language not only has gh silent some- times, as in \iO\\gh, plou^/^, etc., but even 2igh, as in thro//f//, tho//^//t, X\\oxougJi, etc., and it has nine words !>cginning with the combination pth, which in four of them equals // in four th, and is doubtful in the others.
The word Mag is Irish for son. It is generally angli- cised mac, but sometimes, as with this name, it is pre- scr\-ed in both forms. It appears in Irish also as mac. Tlie son of Ennis, therefore, by the use of this prefix, lx:came MagEnnis, or he wrote it Mac-Ennis, if he cliose, and thus this name in the course of a thousand years has been recorded by different writers as Magennis, Maginnis, MacEnnis and Maclnnis. By a strange freak some writers have preserved both the c and the g termi- nation of mac and mag by writing it McGennis, McGin- nt-ss. while others have it McGuinness, ]\IcGennis and M 'Guinness, and some write it Guinness, dropping the m altogether. The last transformation is to write it Me-
• Ibid, p. 1.56.
■J V'i .'"v/ov
ri tr<
|
1 -.^fj) J or •:: |
■■j; : |
|
,.:J-^ ,'■ |
|
|
, .i^^'^ , |
|
|
-;.:<i],A: |
|
|
' <i L:/; |
': .i\' |
ft
i-'OD£ ,/•.
'!J
12 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. j -^
ginness, which was evidently brought about by substi- tuting e for L\ although it does not clearly appear wliy it is done. But there is no end to the change iu names, as well as everything else in nature.
As mac signifies son, ua signifies a grandson, and by an extension of meaning, any descendant; but it is from this the anglicised O' comes for the same purpose. Ui is the nominative plural of na^ (latinized and anglicised hiii or //_>',) and is applied to a tribe or family as O' is to an individual.* For woman the prefix ny was used in- stead of O, as Kathaleen iiy Houlahan, Sara iiy Don- nell.t From the foregoing the reader will clearly under- stand the meaning of Mac and O' when applied to Irish names. Simply son and grandson.
There was but one original ]\Iagennis family in Ire- land; therefore all who bear the name in any of its modificatioiis in Europe, America, Canada or Australia, undoubtedly derive their descent from the same parent stem.
All well versed writers inform us that the Irish people have the most ancient records in their own language of any people in Europe. Full details are preserved of events as far back as six hundred or seven hundred years before Christ, and the genealogy of the different noble families is accurately preserved as far back as 450 B. C, and of these families, that of Magennis is one of the most distinguished. + It is not often that a private individual of the present day can find his name mentioned in the standard works of the history of his country, but it is hardly possible to find a history of Ireland in which the
* Joyce, Irish Names, p. 117, edition 1871.
t Prender^'rast, Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland, n. 201.
+ Judge Dunne's sketch of the ^Magennis family, p. 2.
.^r/.v; foy-i.*: to yjii/a^ 3ht si
('::, y<
^■DtMOO '(.
■J ^^;/- TW niAiio-f: i-'H *.Ic :t£
.iJUf.;;:ii:;v.' iji'ii iiuv. ■,'Kiiinr>
yri in-
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I3
11. line of Maj^ennis is not repeatedly mentioned as promi- • iit-nt in the stirring scenes therein described. n
A few extracts relating to members of the family will •' .sliow the part they bore in those early days of Irish his- ■- tory. About 450 B. C, according to the chronology of the "Fair of Carmen," Milesius was a king in the ex- treme northern part of Spain. In that year eight sons of Milesius, with a fleet of 160 vessels, set out from what is nowCorunna on the north coast of Spain, and conquered Ireland. Five of the sons were drowned in effecting a landing, Heber, Heremon and Amhergin surviving. He- !K.-r took Munster, Heremon had Leinster and Connaught, u and to Eimh-Ir, son of the brother, Ir, was assigned the 0 I>art now known as Ulster, anciently known as Ultonia. "- The Ultonians were kings of Ulster for upwards of seven hundred years, and occasionally one of the line attained supreme power over the whole island. About 151 B. C, one of these Ultonians, named Rory, became monarch of Ireland.*
The Irish way of writing his name is Rughriiid-hc^ that is as shown by the h with the ^ and d dotted, hence silent. Now a final e is also silent when immediately -..i ineceded by a dotted d ox gA Hence, of the word Riiigh- ruidJie there remains for pronunciation only Ru-riii^ (ac- cent on the first,) anglicised Rury, and now Rory.:}: His descendants are known as the Clan-na Rory, clan mean- ing offspring. The Magennis family, became the leading family of the descendants of Rory, and hence head of the clan.
In the year 322, A. D., according to Judge Dunne's c^Jnipilation, a combination was made against the Clanna
* Kt'atin;:'.s History of Ireland, O'Connor's translation, p. 195. t -Sm? Nfolloy's Irisli Grammar, p. 10. \ Jutl-e Dunne's Pamphlet, p. 2.
■ t h.-: IV,'. >-:?•! •.^■'•i-.v •.■!!'- ^ f!;i.( "to gvi"*! .!.'!ij.|-iil
f:J.:v, ,:1 .irjriJo' (i'/.l h> no^
•>f!r£n fill sif!iJriv.' lo yew iki'r! JiIT
14 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
Rory, the head of wliich was then king of Ulster, by the monarch of Ireland, and the three Herenionian princes, known as the "Three Collas," the monarch furnishing the army and the Three Collas commanding it. The Ultonians were attacked, and after a seven day's battle defeated, their palace of Emania burned, and the Clanna Rory driven back to the extreme north- eastern part of Ulster to the Counties of Down and An- trim, where they made a stand, maintained their inde- pendence, and organized there the new Kingdom of Ulidia, called sometimes Dal-Aradia.
The descent from King Rughruidhe, or Rory, is given by Irish antiquarians in the following order: Rory to Conall Cearnach — the great warrior — to Tiprait Tire- ach — thirtieth king of Ulster — to Fiacha Araidhe, thir- ty-seventh king of Ulster — to Conall, whose brother Saraan was the last Ultonian king of Ulster, having been driven into Ulidia by the Three Collas, A. D. 332. The descent continues to Aenghusa, 12th in descent' from Conall, and from this Aenghusa comes the family name of Magennis, in the manner before stated.*
That the family of Magennis was head of the Clanna Rory is shown by the following authorities: "The tribe of the McGuinnesses were chief of the Clanna Rory, and made at all times a considerable figure in the province of Ulster, and possessed the principality of Dal-Aradia, so called from Fiacha Araidhe, one of the chiefs of that tribe and king of the province in the third century, which principality of Dal-Aradia is now the County of Down."t
* See O'Hart's Iri^h Pedi<:rees, pp. 3b, loO, 157, Dublin edition, 1881.
t McGeoghe<:an'.s ni.>;tory of Ireland, p. 127. Abbe ^leGeojiliejian was Chaplain to the Iri.sh Brigade in France. His work, originally written in French, is one of the standard authorities of Irish history.
-i y. y. H » > y. \i to / :\>a a'-j yt HT
♦•1
)iii jfij ..'.fii'.i'J ;;v:!i'r " mil ai: n7/on;-{
:T.:.ifp;lti£ H;^itI yd
rr: :it().'i' • r-tiji 3iij
>/- o: .
:''fno': £«jjri'jf:f>/. -<jfti aioit bnc ,ilnnc'J i
fviy/,' ,
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. l'5
Abbe McGeoghegan has a chapter in his great work describing the particular territories governed by the old Irish familes. In treating of Ulster, p. 129, he says: " Hy-\'each or Iveach, (latterly Iveagh,) a territory of ancient Dal-Aradie, in the County of Down, now forming part of the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh with some other territories in the same county, the dominion of the Magennisses, of the race of the Clanna Rory, by Conall-Cearnach and his son Irial or Vriel," quoting as authority O'SuU.* Comptom, 3 Lib. i, p. 115.
O'Donovan, the great Celtic scholar, has a note in his translation of The Four Masters, as follows: "Clan Aodh, i. c. the clan or race of Hugh, was the tribe name of the Magennisses, and it also became the tribe name of their territory, but they afterwards extended their power over Ui Ethach Cova, now the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh, in the County of Down, and as O'Dugan informs UN. over, all Ulidia.t "
Aodh, continues Judge Dunne, being the particular clan name of this family (Magennis) merits explanation. I'irst, the h shows that in Irish it is written Aod, with a dot over the d. Now a dotted d when final is silent, and there is left only the diphthong ao lengthened, which is c(jual in English to itee^ and is pronounced like uee in 'iueen.;}: As heretofore explained, Mac represents son, O' represents grandson, and is used to denote descend- ants generally. O' Adh would be awkv/ard in pronuncia-
• This work, now very rare, was written by the celebrated O'Snlli- ^au. Prince of Bear, in the Ojuntyof Kerry, and pnblir^hed in Lisbon III 1 »;/>'.«, its author dying in exile at Corunna in the hun<lredth year of
t OT)iinovan's note in Four Masters, Anno 1172.
t Molloy's Irish Grammar, p. 4. Also Bonrke's Self Instruction in If'*li. I». ♦), Haverty, N. Y., 1873, the first book printed in the Irish • haratlvr in America.
•1 / :i':'
M:.i?'r) /JirwtiTHi;
>i;! !'r)-j,!!(:or;o'!CJ ^A .' -u'.- ,'y^u o' n: .'c:iir.>
.i<t -/.t rr.i+lJ-YV' !.-qv' 'i-iftT Tt?'^ won ,>!n>// ftiiii
l6 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
tion, SO an h is thrown in for euphony, where O'Haodh, whence O'PIea, Hu<T^h and Hughes, and this accounts for the frequency of the name Hugh in the Alaginness family.
Duald MacFirbis, the highest authority on Irish gene- alogy, in the preface to his great "Book of Pedigrees," written in 1650, explaining why he sometimes places the issue of the younger son before that of the elder, says it is the Irish custom, when that progeny is the more dis- tinguished, and then cites numerous examples, among them this: "The Ulidians place IMac Aonghusa, or Magennis, of the race of Conall Carnach, before the de- scendants of Conor the king, because Conall' s descend- ants were the more distinguished."*
This Conor the king, of whom McFirbus speaks, is the renowned Conor MacNessa, king of Ulster, at the beginning of the Christian era, and one of the greatest heroes of early Irish history, but, as noted, his direct descendants were less distinguished than those of the family of Magennis. f
O' Curry, in speaking of Irish genealogy, after men- tioning the progeny of Heber and Heremon, says: "Be- sides these two chief races, the records relate the descent of two others of great historical importance. From Emer the son Ir, (who was brother of Heber and Heremon,) descend the races of Uladh or Ulidia, now represented ty the family of Magennis of Down."
Judge Dunne says: "The learned Dr. O'Sullivan, present secretary of the Royal Irish Academy, has writ- ten a masterly introduction to O' Curry's second series of lectures on the manners and customs of the ancient Irish.
* O'Curry MS. Materials for Irish Hist., p. 226. Also see p. 207, t Jiulcre Dunne's pamphlet, p. 4.
dl
uu>l
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 7
He gets no further than the 25th page of the introduc- tion before we find him saying: 'Tiprait Tireach be- came king of Ulster, and was the ancestor of Alagennis and other families in the east of Ulster.' Of course, this does not conflict with the other statements as to the an- cestors being Milesius, Ir, Rory, Conall or Aengus; they are all ancestors, each one in his proper place in the line."
As family names were not introduced until the elev- enth century — over eight hundred years ago — and the annals are as yet indexed only by family names, it would be a great task to trace the notices of the clan prior to the eleventh century. From that time down it is easy, and the following are given as some of the most inter- esting references: ,1 ,, :■
A. D. 1172. In the Annals of The Four Masters,* Vol. III., p. 7, under the year 1172, there is the follow- ing entry: "Alulmurry ]\IacMurrough, Lord of Muintir Hirn, was slain by Hugh Alagennis and the Clann-Aodha of Ui Eathach Uladh."
II 73. "Hugh Magennis invaded Armagh and rav- aged a large part of it."
1208. "Dewinnsi Magennis, Lord of Clann-Aodha, in Iveagh, was slain by the son of Donslevy O'Haughy.
* This great work is so called because Michael O'Clery, PereL'rine < )'Clery, Conary O'Clery, together with Peregrine O'Duigenan, were the four principal compilers of the ancient Annals of Ireland in the. seventeenth century. Other eminent Irish scholars were also asso- <iate(l with them in the work. Their manuscripts were translated by tile late John O'Donovan, LL. D., and published in ISol in Dublin, under the title of "The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, by the Kour Masters, from the Earliest Period to the year A. D. IGlfi." They «"nsist of four large volumes. One page is given in the Irish Ian. cuage, the next in P^nglish, so that the two stand side by side. Copies uiay be found in nearly all well selected libraries. There is a copy in tlie .^tate Library, Harrisburg, Pa. , ■
,-;;.■: 1 , .
l8 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
At this time O'Haugliy was chief of all Iveagh, and Magennis of only a portion of it called Clann-Aodla." O' Donovan's note.
1258. " O'Neill invaded Tyr Connell, and the battle of Lough Swilly was fought. x\ stirring poem* was written on the subject. O'Hanlon's charges for O'Neill is routed by McSweeny:
"Then rusliod like tire Clan-Rory's race,
With shouts that rend the skies, And stricken by Me( Jennis stern
The stout McSweeny dies." ' '' '
1359. "Art, the son of Auliflfe O'Rourke, was slain by Magennis." On which entry O' Donovan has a n.ote saying that at this time Magennis was chief of Iveagli, showing that he had triumphed over the O'Haugly, who slew Duvinusi more than one hundred years before.
1374. "Jenkin Savadge was slain by Magennis."
1376. In the record of this year The Four Masters mention that "John O'Rooney, chief poet of Magennis, died." According to the old Irish custom, adds Judge Dunne, every family — that is the aggregation of all of one name or tribe — had a recognized head, and it was part of the duty of this person to see that the record of the whole family was made and preserved, and a poet, bard or Seanachie was always appointed and maintained for this purpose.
1380. "A very great defeat was given by Art Ma- gennis to the English and the people of Orion O' Han- Ion, chief of Orior, and great numbers of the English, were slain on this occasion." Later in the record of this year The Eour Masters mention that "Art Magennis, Lord of Iveah, in LHidia, was treacherously taken pris-
* Haye's Ballads of. Ireland, Vol. I., p. 132.
,;-.i'.-:'//'(r^/.i/. Ho it.:<\w./\'-\ c-i'MT •j!jh:o -jil; lur;. .II-xkioQ •57'] i' :;b;r. rri iJi^Z'O'' .8;:yi
. -wit .UA" .t>?.fj
>i:r, Mj.!l; -^lorri ■- / j|r>
, • ^n'i" r--- rtrij "U} Ino'j-M -yd' nl O^f,!
v/ ,
■■i/// Ji bn;: ,b.. ■■;; j: ',Jl:.:l-■-v<J^^1 w ^'in^rj :>ti(^
0^
f.ai-. ,
<-?:i.q,.r.io-,
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I9
oner in the house of Mortimer." This Mortimer was the celebrated English Alortimer, Earl of ]\Iarche, son- in-law to Lionel, Duke of Clarence, then acting as Vice- roy of Ireland. Art Magennis, after his victory, was probably invited to the Castle of the Viceroy, or Lord Lieutenant, to agree on some treaty of peace, and there, as the annals state, treacherously taken prisoner.
1383. The next record concerning Art is as follows: "Art Magennis, Lord of Iveagh in Ulster, sole prop of the hospitality of Ireland, in his time, died of the plague at Trim, where he had been detained in prison by the English."
1396. The next record of Magennis shows that some of the family took the field against the English to avenge the death of Art, but the story is one of further defeat. It reads thus: "Cu-UIadh Magennis, heir to the Lord- ship of Iveagh, was slain by the English."
1400. Rory, the son of Magennis, was slain by the sons of Cu-Uladh O'Neil.
1418. In this year the ^Magennis got some satisfac- tion out of the English, as appears by the following entry: "Great depredations were committed by Lord Furnival upon Hugh Magennis, Lord of Iveagh, inUlidia. Magennis and Mac-I-Neil Boy set out in pursuit of the English and their preys and defeated them, after they had left the preys behind. Countless numbers of the English were slain and taken prisoners on this occasion by Ma- gennis." ;,,.,. .;..•->•<
1420. Then it seems the English made a special rally against Magennis, as witness: "The Earl of Or- mond, Justiciary of Ireland, waged war with the Ulto- nians to obtain dominion for O'Neil, and he reduced Magennis under submission to O'Neil." This shows, adds Judge Dunne, that great as O'Neill was then in the
Y;^OT^TH hka r.ioisio <»Ti
J lo •.^>-
■ .1 "i- !
., - o'f: !i:d ,1..
^/^ '')'{i iro-/ eifij nl .''•■t;,i
-joi/. vo noii^jKQoo aifu no hiuuo^nq
20 THE FAMILY OF MAGKNNIS. ^:
north, he was unable alone to subdue Magennis; also that the English were unable to punish Magennis, ex- cept by joining forces with O'Neill.
1424. The English, evidently still fearful of ^la- gennis, organized another war against him, as witness: "Many Saxons came to Ireland with the Earl of Or- mond, in consequence whereof the English of Ireland acquired great strength. * * * Another excursion was made by them against Magennis, and they demol- ished his castle at Lock Bricrenn, and killed the consta- ble of his gallowa^lasses. and almost the whole of the ward in the castle.'' In the same year it is recorded that iNIagennis was driven out of his territory; that he subsequently died of the plague, and that his son Rory was elected chief in his place. Thus ended the life of the celebrated Hugh IMagennis, who was crushed only by domestic treachery combined with a foreign foe. He had repeatedly proved himself a match for either when separately encountered, but the combination of both was more than he could withstand. To appreciate the an- tiquity of this family, it is well to remember that these records concern what is comparatively the modern his- tory of the Magennises, and yet at this time Columbus had not yet thought of trying to discover America.* ]
1453. I" t^is year we find the ^Magennis again fight- ing his implacable foe the English. An English fleet from Dublin had put in at Ardglass, in the County of Down, when these forces landed and attacked the O'Neills. In this battle "Cu-Uladh, the son of Cattibar Magennis, heir to the Lordship of Iveagh, Hugh Magen- nis, McArtan, and fifteen captains were slain. The total loss on the Irish side was 520."
* Judge Dunne's Notes on the INIagennis family, p. 6, 7.
/ ii>A)/. TO VJlKA'i aur OS
1 ni
.lU >;?Cvl If. ••i'7^i2D
-ir: Jo J:ru i">/ir;v .<bv/ ?i;
/ '-.n'w ."'rffi^iM.:!/:. ih-inH !■
•.!:t ;-,^ ■:.
Jii n;
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 21
An act of Parliament passed in the fourth year of Ivdward IV. (1465) directed that all Irishmen within the ICnj^dish pale should adopt some English surname, which sliould be either the name of a place, trade, colom, or office.
1488. " Brian Magennis, son of Art, died and his brother Hugh was inaugurated in his place."
1493. "Hugh ]\Iagennis took part in the great bat- tle ])etween the O'Donnells and the O'Neills, in behalf of the latter, who were finally routed."
1495. " Hugh Magennis took part in a war against tlie people of Fermanagh, in which that territory suf- fered much damage."
1501. " Rury, the son of MacMahon, i. e., of Brian, the son of Redmond, was slain by the sons of Magen- nis."
1504. "A great battle was fought in Ireland during this year at Cnoetaugh, i. e., the hill of the axes, about eight miles northeast of the town of Galway. There has been great discussion about this battle between Eng- lish and Irish writers, the English claiming it as an English victory, when, in fact, they had no part in it. It was a struggle between the people of the north and those of the south. In the account of the battle men- tion is -made that Donnel, son of ^Magennis, commanded a detachment on the northern side, which was victori- ous."
^517- Gerald, Earl of Kildare, was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, A. D. 1513. In 1517 he invaded Ulster and attacked Phelim ^lagennis, and overcoming niin made him prisoner.*
* Moore's History of Ireland, Vol. II., p. 259.
^>'? ;i;f':;7;
:(• ,(J;^.- ;■:):.; , ;,■(::
7;ii >■■ -Hi ■:"'';/-.
.'•KiJy'v ;-;Ti
'I ...
,it,'j. i'';!;'M^-: -j] ;., • f'^'- ; I, //,[
-a! •rr.i- l:"..!li
J, ill ^'liV:?' ify.'i ; i ": '.),'■; 1. 1 '\ I
...j-,^-^,. ..r,-^,^ ._^
::? .r , ''''.■)!:,!,'
]■'■-,■■' >"
■:-:::,]" ■<>
.';'j ,vi.,;.M '■ i':v :
W'vi: .M ,.:i
I'.v ,i.(i^;a] h> v-,.?wff >-^i«'i«' *
22 THE FAMILY OF MxVGEXNIS.
1520. " Magennis, (O'Donnel, the son of Hugh, son of Art,) died and P'eliin, the hospitable, his brother, was inaugnrated in his place, and he also died, and Edmund Roy Magennis was styled The ]\Iagennis. " This is the Irish manner of indicating the chief of the family. At the present day certain Irish members of Parliament are officially recognized as the O'Douahue, the O'Garmon, the O'Connor Don, Sic.
1566. "Mary, the daughter of Manus, son of Hugh Duvison of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, and wife of Magen- nis, died on the 8th of October.
In 1584 Sir Hugh Macgennis was returned to the House of Commons in Ireland from the County of Down,
1585. "A proclamation of Parliament was issued to the men of Ireland commanding their chiefs to assemble in Dublin precisely on May day. * * ^ Thither came the chiefs of Kinel Connell, etc.; also Magennis. (Hugh, the son of Donnell Oge, son of Donald Dur)."
1591. " Magennis, (Hugh, the son of Hugh, son of Donnell Oge,) a man of his patrimony, of greatest name and renown among the English and Irish of Ireland, died penitently." On this record O' Donovan has this note: '"Of his patrimony, i. e., a man who was more famed and renowned than any other chieftain of equal territorial possessions in Ireland."
1607. The greatest men in the northern part of Ire- land at this time were the celebrated Earl O'Neill and Earl O'Donnell. In the year 1607 these great chiefs, with a number of the leading nobility of Ireland, sud- denly left for the Continent. This episode is known in Irish history as the flight of the Earls. The cause of it has been by many considered a mystery. English au- thorities assert it was because they had been plotting,
?JZ7.'IO/iW ^O Y.I I!/: AH HHT
S.S
1-. . . I
f, ,•■>:. r-Iq >,!<{ rn bv
• 1/: ](■ '■^llw bur ,Ii''3jrr!:>',i'* .1 .;.•■'• .:i';riH la
ri : (', ivvvx pr.'iy ifi
'.. -;nU
'.n ?.n\i i'O
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 23
and promised proofs, but none were ever furnished. Father Burke, Ireland's Case Stated, p. 253. What appears to have been the true cause is fully stated in Thebaud's Irish Race, p. 337. The Four Masters have the following among other entries on this subject under date of 1607: " These were they who went with O'Neil, namely, the Countess Catharine, the daughter of Ma- gennis, and her three sons, Hugh, the Baron, John and Brian," and then follow many others. The Countess Catharine, daughter of Alagennis, is mentioned first, preceding many distinguished chiefs, from which fact, and the fact that the title of the wife of an Earl is that of Countess, it is more than likely she was the wife of O'Neill. In the preface to the ballad, "Lament* for the Princes of Tyrconnel," it is stated she was the wife of O'Neill; and another authority! says O'Neill was ac- companied by his Countess.
The text of The Four Masters then continues: "This was a distinguished crew for one ship, for it is certain that the sea had not supported and the winds had not wafted from Ireland in modern times, a party of one ship who would have been more illustrious and noble in point of genealogy, or more renowned for deeds, valor, prowess or high achievements, than they, if God had permitted them to remain in their patrimonies until their children had reached the age of manhood." The work of The Four Masters ends with the Annals of 1616, but this is by no means the end of the history of the Ma- gennis family. It was a stock of wonderful vitality, thriving apparently with equal luxuriance in whatever soil it chanced to be planted.
* Have's Ballads of Ireland, Vol. I., p. 108.
t Kenmare's Illustrated History of Ireland, p. 409, edition 1868.
•';"^;)i ■rr.'vs -s.;//,' -jdon J:J<} j hnf:
'3,'r;fi ''rv !:-;!/ 7;-'/^I viiT .^?;. <; .jvu3i fi^iii >:'bi;.\(ioiIT
:,, ■: i;r;M|' '3^ou^ y'i ii . to
-.'■:: jj- IT ;:;oO c.iii yJ fvji;uu{inoo
-. hiii: 'ijjno' :
'q
24 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
Walpole, ill his history of Ireland, page 167-S, says: "In 1641 the Irish tribes which had been evicted, transplanted and dispersed, seemed to start out of the ground in all their old individuality. There were the O'Reillys, the O'Hanlons, the McGennises and the O'Ouinn's." * * * In the war which followed, "the forts dominating Tyrone were surprised in one night, and the gates of Newry, with its stores of arms and am- munition, were opened to Sir Con McGennis."
The name of Catharine seems to have been a favorite one in the family, and has come down to the present day in America as well as in Ireland, in the female line.
The IMagennis family had its armorial bearings also. The late Eugene O' Curry, Professor of Irish History and Archseology in the Catholic University of Dublin, was regarded as the greatest among Irish antiquarians. He published two series of lectures; the first in 1861, en- titled "Manuscript Materials for Irish History;" the second in 1873, entitled " ^Manners and Customs of the ancient Irish." In the latter series he recounts an im- portant discussion as to the right of the Magennis family to bear the "Red Hand of Ulster," thus: ''About the year 1680 a controversy sprang up among some of the bards of Ulster as to what race, by ancient right, the armorial bearing of Ulster, the 'Red Hand,' belonged. Some person named Carmac, said or wrote something, which I have never seen, to the effect that the ' Red Hand ' be- longed by right to the Clann O'Neill, but he was called to account for so saying by Diarmait, the son of Laoigh- seal. Mac an Bhaird (called in English Louis Ward,) who wrote a poem of seventeen quatrains, in which he adduces many historical reasons to prove that the ' Red Hand' of Ulster belonged by right to the Ulidiaus of
.^I
>£
i (i: 'ji iiaw ?i
yil
1, (VAj.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 2$
Rudrician or Irian race, of whom Mac Enis, (or Magen- nis,) of the County Down, was the chief" This poem* begins:
" O Cormac I remember what is right ;
Take not from the Irian blood its honor. .; ;[■,;,) i ?- ,_
Justice is the best argument.
The race is not no-\v in bountiful atflucnce."
It seems from a subsequent reference to this subject by O' Curry that Diarmait, the author of this poem, was himself of the Clann O'Neill, and that he felt bound to acknowledge the justice of the claim of the Magennis family. •<■'. i;i :\'.} t\;r-.;.. . :o;'r.i'ii.;. -. ! "is scu'M'
This subsequent reference is made in recommending the discussion as to a celebrated ancient Irish harp, pre- served in the jNIuseum of Trinity College, Dublin, pop- ularly known as the harp of Brian Born, and claimed to belong to the O'Briens. On the forearm of this harp there is an escutcheon chased in silver, with the "Red Hand " thereon. The O'Neills, who have been bearing the "Red Hand " for many generations, stepped in and asserted that this escutcheon proved conclusively that the harp belonged to the O'Neills, because it had their arms engraved on it, and the claim was for a long time generally allowed. But now comes O' Curry and says: "The use of the upright arm by the O'Briens is of an older date than the 'Red Hand' of the O'Neills. In- deed, it was publicly and openly asserted in the seven-. teenth century by writers of the Clann 'Neill race them- selves, that the ' Red Hand ' was the right of Magennis, but that the O'Neills wrested it to themselves and continued to usurp it to this day."t
* O'Curry, Ancient Irish, Vol. III. p. 265.
t O'Curry, Ancient Irish, Vol. III., pp. 268 to 278.
D
li VXOTJilH .'f 'A XIOLap aTi
'.£ii^{'>d
J I
-f
J" V; nr /;?;'' ;.;;./. ^lU <
J ilJiv; .T.y/;;;^ ;i: fv.-,,,'o , .:> nt zi '^n'iili
V.;o>3
26 THE FAMILY -OF MAGENNIS. - ;
Judge Dunne thinks there is much reason to believe that the "Red Hand" should belong to the family of Magennis rather than to that of O'Neill. It is always spoken of as the "Red Hand of Ulster." The family of Magennis, he continues, represents the old Ultonians, the original Ulster kings, of the time of Ir, whereas the O'Neills are from the south, of the line of Heremou, and came into power in the north at a comparatively recent date, about one hundred years after the Three Collas had burned Emania, and driven the Ultonians into Ulidia, or about 432 A. D.
There is not in all Europe, continues this same writer, an armorial bearing of more distinction, or about which there has been more discussion, than that of the "Red Hand," and as matters now stand, the family of Magennis seems to have the best of it, and they are not slow in asserting their rights in the matter. Richard Magennis, Esq.,* of Warrington, County Down, em- blazons the hand in his coat of arms, and so probably will all other members of the family who desire to pre- serve the remembrance of its ancient dignity and high standing in ages of long ago.
Another view of the question, though, is that the "Red Hand" was part of the royal arms of Ulster,! passing with the sovereignty, and therefore rightly borne by the O'Neills after they became kings of that country. However this argument may be reconciled with the his- tory of heraldry, the O'Neills have carried this blazon over too many fields of victory, and have their posses- sion of it too firmly planted in the poetry of Ireland to ever be deprived of it. The most the O'Briens or Ma-
* Burke's Heraldic History, Vol. II., p. 871.
t Judge Dunne's Notes on the Magennis family, p. 11.
■ r. nO"fJlMA''J ;:ri'T dc
•i "!•
" 'a
\i
■s
T
ifiirt.'o;!'] :,>!'! irjvhlt h;rr. ,r,;nr.{t!H bomad h.r.rl r'.r.IloO
.11 .A iff J;joJfi "<> ,fiibiIU oJuf
• . //
1! rfi 'l:J-:-i ir^rfj
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 27
j^entiises can now expect is a recognition of their ancient exclusive and present joint right to the use of it.
It has been shown how the family figured as warriors in early times. In 1870 there was published an elaborate work on the history of the Irish brigades in the service of France, by John Cornelius O'Callaghan. The author ol)tained access to the state paper office in London in 1S41, through the influence of Daniel O'Connell, a rare favor in those days. He gathered there a mass of in- formation not otherwise accessible, and having this start, many persons who intended writing on the subject trans- ferred their notes to him. Concerning the Magennis family he writes as follows : "Robert Plunket, fifteenth Lord Baron of Killeen, and sixth Earl of Fingal, captain of the infantry regiment of Berwick, in the Irish Brig- ade, also died this year, 1738, at Paris, where he was interred. By his marriage with ]\Iary, daughter of Roger Magennis, Esq., of the branch of Der-Iveagh, County of Down, and likewise an officer in the service of France, his Lordship was grandfather of Arthur James, seven- teenth Lord Baron of Killeen, and eighth Earl of Fingal deceased in 1836, who duly estimated his consequent par- ticipation in the most illustrious or old Irian blood of Uladh or Ulster, through that of its leading name — MacGennis(or MacGuinness) — compared with which, (as sprung from the line, for so many ages, of the celebrated kings of Emania, and thus best entitled in that province to bear the heroic ensign of the "Red Hand,") other races there. Clan Colla or Hy Niall, were but of yester- day." And thereupon the author appends a long note to this effect: "The race of Ir ruled Ulster from the land- ing of the ]\Iilesians to the destruction of Emania, A. D. 332. The Ultonians were pushed back into Ulidia, now the counties of Antrim and Down. The O'Neills did
avjA
T OllvV
28 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. -..
not come in till about St. Patrick's time, 432, A. D. Hence," O'Callaghan says, "in Ulidia, ' the land of hos- pitality and spears,' the Magennis, as elder in descent from the royal line of Ir, or the Red Branch, looked upon the more modern Heremonian, or Clan Col la and Hy- Niall settlers in Uladh as comparative )iozn homines^ his bards maintaining 'that the Red Hand of Ulster' was derived from the heroes of the Red Branch, and that therefore it belonged by right to Magennis, the senior representative of Connall Cearnach (that is Conall the victorious), the most distinguished of those heroes, and not to O'Neill, whose ancestors, although they had no connection with those heroes by descent, had usurped the sovereignty of Ulster."*
O' Callahan gives the following details concerning the later history of the family: "The first of the name, ennobled after the English manner, was Sir Art or Ar- thur Magennis, married to Sairah, daughter of the great Aodh or Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and created by James I., in 1623, Lord Viscount Iveagh. By the result of the civil war of 1641-53, the Macgennises were greatly shattered in their fortunes, like the old Irish families in general. Had King James H. been able to maintain himself in Ireland, the Macgennises, through the repeal in 1689 of the acts of settlement and explanation by the Irish Parliament of that monarch, would have recovered what had been their considerable landed possessions at the commencement of the troubles in 1641. In the war of the revolution, James was served with proportionate zeal by those of the name, the head of whom, Brian i\Iacgennis,t Viscount Iveagh, (married to Lady Mar-
* O'Callahan, Irish Brigade, pp. .330, 331.
t The last Lord Iveagh, whose dormant title ha.s been conferred on Sir Edward Cecil Guinness, was Brvan Magennis, who died with-
'.-.uj :;(.■-;; wKri ,.:r; j:3;--jtb <■(; - ■.•i^ji Urt<.;nj rijiw r.uijni'^iinoo
'"..:=-:'; to •■ ifi
«[
•■i.'"- -^o T'f/. -jr?^ rj:7'' /2':>rTn'^rii f: -ivi-jH vdl 1'v:J"1j. iyjldonuo
w: Ml: ,;?-
Tty;fj ;iD-9d bnrf ifjrfw
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 29
t^aret de Biirgo, eldest daufrhter of William, seventh Karl of Clanricarde,) was colonel of a regiment of foot in the Irish array. On the unfavorable conchision of that contest, which left very few of the MacGennises with estates, his Lordship went into the Austrian ser- vice with an Irish corps to fight the Turks in Hungary, and 1693 died abroad without issue. "^ Mr. A. M. O' Sul- livan says the regiment itself remained in the English service, t
To illustrate more fully the force of O'Callaghan's remark, that the cause of King James was ably served by those of the name, we have but to turn to King James' army list to find the Magennis family numer-
out issue in tlie year 1693. Iveagh, the territory of the Mairennises, Wits situated in wliat i.s now the County Down, and the name still survives in the title of two baronies in the county. The Magennises were accounted among the foremost of the Irish tribes — second, if indeed second, to the O'Neills. ''Chief over the noble Clan Aodh," says an old Irish topographer, " is the exalted and agreeable ^lagen- nis." The same English policy which made The O'Xeill Earl of Ty- rone, The O'Donncll Earl of Tyrconnell, The MacCarthy Mor Earl of Clancarty, converted the Magennis of James I.'s reign into Viscount Iveagh. During the Civil War the Magennises remained true to the Royal cause, and lost in consequence much of their property. The last Lord Iveagh was a staunch adherent of James II., whom he fur- nished with a regiment of infantry and one of dragoons, while the King, on his part, bestowed on his faithful supporter a pension of £300 a year. When James was defeated, Lord Iveagh entered the Austrian service with 500 Irish soldiers and fought against the Turks in Hungary. He was married to Margaret, eldest daughter of the seventh Earl of Clanricarde, but died without issue. Lady Iveash afterwards became the wife of Colonel Thomas Butler, of Kilcash, who belonged to a branch of the Ormonde family. She was renowned for her beauty, piety and benevi jlence. On her death, a student win im she had been educating at her own expense for the Church, wrote an eleg\' called "A Lament for Kilcash," which is popular throughout Munster. — Boston PUot. Feb, 14, 1891.
* O'Callaghan, Irish Brigades, p. 330.
t Thebaud's Irish race, p. 377.
05
;f,A
30 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS. "
oiisly represented. The latest revised and corrected list is found in the large octavo volume of over 700 pages, by Charles French Blake-Forster, entitled "The Irish Chieftains; or, a Struggle for a Crown," published in Dublin in 1S72.
First, as to the dragoons: In O'Xeill's regiment, Ev- erard McGuinness, captain, page 621; in Maxwell's, Dan- iel Magennis, lieutenant colonel, ]\Iagennis, quar- termaster; Edward Magennis and Magennis, lieu- tenants, pages 625-6. In the infantry, in Lord Antrim's regiment, Bryan McGuinness, captain, page 632; in O'NeilPs, Arthur McGuinness and Hugh Magennis, lieutenants, page 641; in McMahon's, Hugh Magennis, major; Constantine Maginnes, lieutenant, page 652; in Magennis' own regiment, commanded by The Magen- nis himself. Lord of Iveah, there were also of this
family, Brian Magennis, lieutenant colonel, ^la-
gennis, captain, and Magennis, and another,
Magennis, lieutenants, page 662.
King James had a parliament of Lords and Commons assembled at Dublin, May 7, 16S9. In the House of Lords sat Brian Magennis, Lord of Iveah. In the Com- mons there were Murtagh Magennis, of Greencastle, and Ever Magennis, of Castlewelan, both representing their ancient territory in the County of Down, and Ber- nard Maginnis, representing the Borough of Keleleagh, pages 6S6-7. Of the Lord Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants of the different counties in Ireland during King James' reign, the Lord Lieutenant for the County of Down, was Brian Magennis, Lord of Iveah, and Shil- ling Magennis and Arthur Magennis were Deputy Lieu- tenants, and Phelim Magennis, High Sheriff of the same county.*
* Blake-Forster, Irish Chronicles, p. 699.
''.vA'/.-^'o hv. '•!<• wniitv'i'Aur
^l
ijircw/. l»-'i\! r;- .iiUiihi^i ■'>.u :;i .0- ^^ci K^j-j^iiin .-Viii'-^.nj^
'" ; • r ' ' -*,^%'''i I ■ '
• rr
; 70
.. ■ -•' i. ST^w •>7'"><'' ,'■/:•.?.": '!;v I'VjJ.
'5:J 10
1 h"roJ tjfjj K>
.Wii .(J ,
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 3I
D'Arcy McGee, the accomplished Irish writer, has given us a brilliant summary of Irish history, yet, though he says he limits himself to the great events, he does not fail to note the movements of the Magennis family.*
Of the MacGennises in the service of France, O' Cal- lahan recounts as follows: " Besides Bernard, the col- onel of dragoons, and his four sons already mentioned under the battle of Spire in 1703, there were several born in Ireland, who, from the rank of captain to that of chief-de-bataillon, were in the regiments of Buckley, Roth and Dillon, and Chevaliers of St. Louis. In addi- tion to the honorable familv alliances of the higfher members of the name of Magennis at home, it was con- nected with the great house of Justiniani — ennobled by various branches in Venice, Genoa, Naples, the Greek Empire and France. Prince Francis Justiniani, its head in France, was married September i, 1746, at the Church of St. Sulpice in Paris, says my authority, to a Demoi- sella Marie Francois Rose Magenis, of one of the most ancient houses of Ireland.
"In our own times, A. C. ^klacGennis, Esq., has been minister for Great Britain and Ireland at the courts of Stockholm, Naples and Lisbon, and under another form of name, as Guinness, instead of INIaGenness, the spirit of an Emanian Prince has been displayed by the late magnificent restorer and preserver of the venerable Ca- thedral of our national apostle, St. Patrick."
At an early day, probably soon after the beginning of 1700, a few representatives of this ancient and distin- guished family, found their way across the Atlantic for the purpose of seeking homes in the colonies. One of them soon entered the military servuce, and we read of
See his popular historj' of Ireland, Vol. II., p. 583, edition 1S7G.
Jf
( ay. A
a
ivff.'tr;
■Jt-. 'Jl'i m r'
■U ^iii K)
lo
A-r>u)
io::-bx^ .'>'jtu..' / Hf
'■'.Hi
.(t"Hf if'i(iil<*>
32 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
Capt. McGiniiis commanding a company of New Hamp- shire troops in an attack on a body of French and In- dians, soon after the battle of Lake George, in 1755. The attack took place at Rocky Brook, midway between Glen's Falls and the head of Lake George. The French were routed, but the brave captain received a contusion on the head from a spent ball which caused his death.*
Dr. Lyman C. Draper, in his history of the battle of King's Mountain,! Oct. 7, 17S0, mentions John AIcGin- nis, an ensign in the New Jersey Volunteers, who was killed in Ferguson's corps while acting as a lieutenant for that special occasion. ,
Captain McGinnes, of New Hampshire, who pun- ished the French in 1755, came to America with Plunket and other Irish immigrants about 1755, and probably landed at Boston. We have no data to fix his age, but it is reasonable to suppose that, owing to his position, he was a young man of at least thirty or thirty-five years, which would make him born about 1725.
Judge Dunne calls attention to the variation in the orthography of Irish names, and says that a word of ex- planation may not be out of place. The Irish language is radically different from the English, and it is impossi- ble to correctly represent all Irish sounds by English letters. In anglicising Irish names uniformity could have been secured only by the existence, in Ireland, of some standard authority acceptable to Irish families. During the time the change was taking place the Eng- lish laws not only permitted no institution of that kind, but it involved a penal offense for the native Irish to know how to read or write at all.t Naturally there was
* See Stone's Life of Sir William Johnson, Vol. I., p. 517.
t Draper's Kind's Mountain, pp. 255, 300, 481.
t Mitdieir.s Hist, of Ireland, p. 39, Glasgow edition, 1869.
■•!,■> /.iJUA*4 mrr i^i
rA:jO>i U:
^>fi; !(■ .1:! :: ,i:.i]ii!Q
'I £, &L \;niJOC jiMiv/ i".|T'.i-.) f-. .iOr:i;ois-J ;:i hallii
. - : ,, T' , '/ Y_,
JffOO-,
TO v.n,';ij :'.-u-jl ji5 io
J
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 33
no concert of action in anglicising the names, and many variations occurred. It is only within the last few years that Irish scholars have taken the matter in hand and shown the correct Irish form of different names. As soon as that is once definitely established the general tendency will be to conform to that spelling as fast as the change can conveniently be made. The true English form of this name, as settled by O' Donovan, is Magennis.
In closing his sketch of this family Judge Dunne says: "I would suggest that an arrangement be made by which some member of the family, who will accept the charge, be furnished regularly with all the data concern- ing the family in this country necessary for the preserva- tion of its history, and that the same be revised, arranged and printed from time to time for the use of its members. The English families settled in New England have imi- tated the Irish custom in this respect and have full records of all branches of the family published in book form so that each member can have a copy. How glad many Irish families of this day would be if their sons, who went in such numbers to Austria, France and Spain, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, had kept such an account of their families! How the re- searches of historians would be helped thereby! The Irish of America are making as glorious a record as their brethren ever made in any land, and they ought to pre- serve full details of it, not only for their own posterity, but as a matter of interest in future days for the children of their brethren in Ireland, South America, India, Aus- tralia and other lands where the Irish people are making homes for themselves and their descendants.'"
The suggestion is an excellent one, and should be acted on without delay. While the heads of families are living, it is much easier to gather information from
'.■.■\ : ■:-:<{ n'l I'^iU'Aa sdl i;:- .(i/f > n
•''' .;':'•."•;. :':^' v.m'v/ ,/:i:rij:t 3x1:* :;:: 'rtv'-f ifivrrt r-M;!o- ?':>;:. ••■-.': :yTq ^;i; -u'a iunv'S'J'a'i .'! ' '"'riM^ ^f^i • -li vii,i_ni5i /;:•' ^rii
-iffU f'Vfif; hv. jK I'! ^■:^iJ3v..: ■'■.;:lli'::
■ y; u;: , .■ - . . > .. :,j!lj ^o HK rf'.-
;:-y)j>i'fjO
i n '7Tir3;fi rii J^
l3i Jfifii fi ^fi iird
•jb -\\^>u} \yin.
70 1 <r!?i.JUd
■J Ni.:jOr):> bsiK ,-j£r>''
34 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
them than to wait until they have passed away. The family record g-iven in the following pages, will serve as a model for other families to collect and arrange their history in the same way. Had the compiler attended to this duty years ago, when his older relatives were living, much valuable information relating to the ancestry of the family could have been obtained, which it is now found impossible to collect. If other families will put their records in permanent form, the future genealogist' will be saved a world of trouble, and be enabled to pro- gress more rapidly in the compilation of family history. The Magennis family, it has been clearly shown, is not only one of the oldest but oue of the most illustrious in : the world, and its members should take pride in keeping up its history. There are very few families that can trace their ancestry back for a thousand years; or whose ancestors have passed through more vicissitudes and trials, endured greater hardships to maintain their status, or who have maintained their individuality in a higher degree through the centuries than the family w'hose his- tory is so imperfectly sketched in the pages of this little book. It has shown a long line of Lords, Earls and rep- resentative men, has furnished scores of members who have taken high rank as professional men, divines and educators, and men whose valor and prowess have been shown on many ensanguined fields, n cou.^'ry '• r •.:•:, ^^
;f!''.' .'/S"//': hviff-i.<1 ->Vi:ff 70: rft«^fft
r.(: -i:— '.)--■ \i f/;
:".'[ .!"5f!w ,oj^fi xj!.-:.-/ v;,!}^ ^{flj
;rjr/i r-j/ijp 'il ' . *o I'fo'i r"? ^Itfi-^s-i^'.i.-ifi hnrjol
•i»f{J nii.^ii:.!!; V .T '-vjiil:^i-i;>.,(l i-j.Ji.ji^ ioin^'ja jKliinl
li f>:;f': '-■'if yi - i»J
iS«»tiS*^J^'^^,
A
1550999
EMIGRATION TO AMERICA.
AVhilo History's Muse tlie iiK'inorial was keeping, Of all that the <lark hand of Destiny weaves,
Beside her the Genius of Erin stood weejjini:, For her's was the story that blotted the leaves.
—O'Kari,.
K.^ J. has been shown that the ]\Iagennis-]McGinnis family is of Milesian origin, and that its history is very old. We are informed that the first Irish settlement in America was made in the Common- wealth period, when Irish Catholics were banished by Oliver Cromwell from Ireland — some to France, some to Spain, and hnndreds as slaves to the sugar plantations of Barbadoes, At this period thoi;sands of Irish — mostly from Ulster — including Catholics and Protestants, left li-eland for the Continent. Many also emigrated to America, and in the colony of Pennsylvania one of the first Irish settlements was made. And in the same reign — that of William and Mary — in consequence of the severity of the land laws, not to speak of the penal laws, many more Irishmen left their country for Amer- ica.
About the time of the emigration, many members of this branch of the family settled in Scotland and became known as "Scotch Irish." In their religious belief they were mostly Presbyterians, but all were of Milesian ori- gin, and descended from MacAonghuis, whose ancient lordship was in the County Down.
^^"j!. »,-iiUlm, m-m el.'^^U^t:^.*
L:^ov*:j»0..1.
jj>UK/ '^^y :•:< ^vTAHOii/iH
in: ii:
!iw:!,,
j^
f;j.'j.-r;.';fny o<if; 7 :sl/". .Jfr>f''',M;o3 5>tf* Tot [>njf;fl>-il
.£0t
^t
36 TIIK FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ' .^'1
The followiun^ letter to the author from John O'Hart, the celebrated Irish genealogist, gives the pedigree of his family:
MEGINNEvSS OF WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
Arms: Vert a lion rani}), or. on a chief ar. a dexter lianil erect, couped at the wrist txn.
This family is a branch of the ancient Irish family of Jvl^ic Aongk.uis (pronounced "mac-oneese"), derived from Aongus Mor (or .Eneas Magnus), who (see p. 312, Vol. I., of the fourth edition of my "Irish Pedigrees:" New York — Ben- ziger Brothers), is No. 105 on the " MacGuinness" pedigree, and a quo the sirname.
The lordship of the MacAonghivis family was, after Eochaidh (pr. "Ocky") Cobha, who is No. 89 on the family pedigree, and who lived in the third centur\^ called Uidh Eochach, which, when anglicised, has been contracted into Iveach or Iveagh — a territory in ancient Dalriada, now the County Down. This is the origin of the title of the "Iveagh" pedigree.
The sirname J/acAonghiois has been variously angli- cised " MacGennis," " MacGinnis," " MacGuinness," "Ma- gennis," " Maginnis," etc. In 13 14 we find it latinized Mac Anegus ; for. in that year, when King Edward the Second sought the aid of the Irish chieftains, he directed a letter to " Admily Mac Anegus, 'Dux Hibernicoritm de Ouehagh ; " the name " Admily MacAnegus" being King Edward's Latin for Each-.nilidh MacAonghuis, the then chief of the clan, and "Ouehagh" being the King's Latin for Iveagh (pr. "Ivay").
While the prefixes Mac and O' are the characteristics of the old Irish sirnames, some members of ancient Irish fami- lies found it advisable in the bitter past of Ireland's sad his- tory to omit those prefixes in the transition of their names from the Iri.sh to the English language ; but, in many in-
.r:r/:/-.jn/.j/. no yjij/.//.i ;-{ii ' ^.^
1o ^>:':^(''V'i -Jll
//v ,'V>i' r'<W. f.i: ..:::' 7 "I' » --^r-;! /;.;/, ,3^]/:
;i;ici..- vrii nu (>■' .oX r.; ..;•/.• ..ji-ly'j ' ,- .' ■() ' .1,7) :' '- ■ r; ! -'.^ui)?;^/-- ;:; i!v,' ,;^..<:■ '^
! n. .Oji>
ITS O RIG IX AND HISTORY. 37
stances, the prefix Mac was incorporated with the sirname proper in an abbreviated form, as Magennis, Jv/cGlnnis. etc. And some members of ancient Irish families changed the spelling of their sirnames so as thus to make a distinction between those of a family who conformed to the Protestant Faith, and those who remained Catholics. It was Art Ruadh (roe) MacAonghuis, who is No. 124 on the family pedigree, (or Sir Arthur Magennis, of Rathfriland, in the County Down, who first anglicised his name Magennis; he was by King James the Finst, in 1623, created " Viscount Iveagh.""
When William and Mar>- crushed and discouraged Irish manufacture in the interest of English manufacturers, thous- ands of the Ulster operatives emigrated to the colonies and to America; among those emigrants to America were several members of the J/ac Aonghuis family.
Before the Revolution I find that a Paul McGinnis settled in Bucks county, north of Philadelphia. He had a son Tim- othy who had four children, named David, Timothy, Dorothy and Susan. David had seven children — ^John, Timothy, Da- vid, Sarah, Amelia, Catharine and Elizabeth; John, now over eighty years old, is living near Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; he had four children — ^John, David, Susan and Kate.
I find a B. A. Meginniss in Tallahassee, Florida, whose great-grandfather, Casparus Meginness, was a recruiting offi- cer during the American Revolutionary War. After the war he settled in Kent county, Maryland, and had a large family, some of whose descendants are now scattered over the whole United States of America.
About the close of the last centur}-, Jesse and Hezekiah McGinnis, brothers, settled in Mercer county, Kentucky: Hezekiah was killed in the battle of Xew Orleans in 18 15; Jesse had a son named James H.; Hezekiah left a daughter Margaret, who married James H., her cou.sin, and they left children — among them H. S. McGinnis, who lives at Nevada, Missouri.
■ V .;:,-" 'iiit ;iii7.' f, ' - ' rir: ^/iv; t"^' '^fbT:| 3((f
>:ii ol !
;i7/ yirxufi! l to •■.■O'Ai
.!ij I'l .,h;
/f;; ;n: ';■:•[ V. .:rr
if^nl I>t;«if:'II)' Orih LiKj:
[rT,nl/!:G !.-.!:,;. ,:; j-:h!irfy njj'j! hi :!
L.;i{ ^d ;.:;'!
Jllji HJ
38
THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
Edmund, James and Pyrrhus McGiniiis settled in \'irginia: they were brothers, whose descendants now live in the coun- ties of Cabel, Wayne, Putnam, Raleigh and Wyoming, in Virginia: Edmund was a prominent man; his son Allen A. represented Cabel county in the Virginia Legislature for seven consecutive terms, and his (Allen's) son, also named Allen A., served in the same Legislature in 1832, and again in 1848. This last named Allen A. had a son A. B. McGinnis, who became a physician, and another named Ira, who became a judge; he now lives at Huntingdon, West Virginia, en- gaged in the practice of the law.
James, brother of Edmund and Pyrrhus above mentioned, had a son named Benjamin McGinnis, who is a prominent lawyer of Raleigh, West Va.; ran for Congress, was elected, but through some political trickery was counted out.
James H. McGinnis, son of Pyrrhus, is now postmaster at Guyandotte, West Va.
Sir Arthur Magennis, of Rathfriland, in County Down, above mentioned, who in 1623 was created "Viscount Iveagh" by King James the First, and who is No. 124 on the family pedigree, had a brother John Brian MacGennis, from whom the Meginjie-s family of Williamsport, Pa., United States, America, is descended. The lineage, so far as I have ascer- tained, is as follows: ^i. '^••"'
124. Hugh MacGennis, brother of the aforesaid first Vi.scount Iveagh : son of Hugh who was also called Feardor- ach or Ferdinand; married and had:
125. Hugh J/ cGennis, whose name [see page 319 of my "Irish Landed Gentry when Cromwell came to Ire- land": Dublin, James Duffy & Co.] appeared on the "In- rolment of the Decrees of In- nocents," temp, the Crom-
wellian confiscations in Ire- land. This Hugh married and had:
126. Arthur, who had a brother (Brian McGinnis whose name [see ibid, p. 368] appears among the "Con- naught Certificates," teinp. the Cromwellian confiscations in Ireland. From this Brian the McGinnis family of the County Armagh is descended.
Brian McGinnis mar. and had:
, f: .' .■*f
..:'/
yriT
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
39
■ 127. James: who mar. and had:
128. Samuel: he went to America and had:
i. Catharine. ii. James, of whom pres- ently. Hi. Samuel. iv. Johnston. V. William. vi. John; d. 1852. All these children were born in Delaware, U. S. A.
129. James: son of Samu- el; b. 1767, d. 1S39; was thrice married, and by each mar- riage had issue. By the first marriage the children were:
i. Elizabeth, d. in in- fancy. ii. Margaret, b. 1789, d.
1862.
zn. Sarah, b. 1795, d. 1865.
iv. James, b. 1800, d. 1826.
V. Ann, b. 1801, d. 1S87.
vi. Benjamin, of whom
presently. vzi. George, b. 1806, d.
1854-
130. Benjamin: son of James, b. 1803; d.in Califor-
nia in 1870, was twice mar- ried and had twenty children. His first wife was Sarah John- ston, by whom he had:
z. John Franklin, of
whom presently. zz'. Mary Jane, b. 1S31, d.
1872. z'z'i. Samuel, b. 1832, and
lives in California. h'. William H., b. 1834, and lives in Califor- nia. v. Johnston, b. 1S36, and
lives in Iowa. vz. Joseph B., b. 1838. z'z'z. Benjamin, b. 1S40, de-
• ceased. 131. John Franklin Me- ginness: son of Benjamin, [130]: b. 1 6th July, 1827, and living, in i8gr, at Williams- port, Pa., United States of America. This John Frank- lion Meginness is the pub- lisher of the " Revi.sed His- tor}^ of West Branch Valley" and of the " Biography of Frances Slocum."
JOHN O'HART, Author of " Irish Pedigrees."
KiLKEE, Ireland, July, 1891.
A.
• .' A':,
:ii<
•^.■nyr] t:
.5 ,1
ad
.h ,do8i
^ ^ .Vi-;, -%r ?/ —'tit) -
fc.-..-— A.:r;:ii/..---.gl'
-dii^:^--^-
MARRIAGE RECORDS.
What ia there in the valo of life
Half so (lelii:litful as a wifr,
When friendship, love, and peare combine
To stamp the marriage bond divine?
— Cowper.
^HAT there were many bearing tlie name of Mc-
Ginnis-Maginnis in Philadelphia at an earlv
day, is proven by consnlting the marriage
registers of the old chnrches. In the list of
Christ Chnrch, as given in the Pennsylvania Archi\-es,
Vol. VIII., Second Series, appear the following:
1746, August 27, Maginnis, Edward, and Rose Fullerton. This is the oldest record found.
1756, August 9, McGinnis, Catharine, and George Atkin- son.
1775, December 5, McGinnis, Mary, and Andrew Nelson.
1776, October 18, McGinnis, Lawrence, and Mar>' Beak. 1782; June 30, McGinnis, Mary-, and Peter Coriel.
1790, September i, McGinnis, Neil, and Margaret Sprowl. 1794, October 26, McGinnis, Phcebe, and Abraham Wood-
ruflf. 1800, January 9, McGinnis, William, and Elizabeth Boze. The registry of the Sweds Chnrch contains the fol- lowine:
,^asr'--
.c'M>ioyiUj a;)ij>^><Ai/
.■r.i i; ;: -;; l.ihill i.l' ■■<• 'thill .nuu.!'- » ■• 'i.'-'; ■iiu; ,>/.| ,ij;i- Sjw'jI i'> iivilV/
viui/: ,--
.l)fn
I ,008 1
;.- ',.r._;:ii
. ) :. 'V C J ■
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 4I
1777, March 6, McGinnis, John, and Margaret Wood- bridge. 1777, March 12, McGinnis, James, and Mary Noble. 1789, June 25, McGinnis, Helena, and John Hill. 1789, July 23, McGinnis, Mary Ann, and Michael Tailor.
The record of St. Paul's Church, Vol. IX., Peniisvl- vania Archives, Second Series, contains the following-:
1785, July 28, McGinnis, John, and Elizabeth Kennedy. 1785, August 26, McGinnis, Marj^ and Nicholas Roup. 1787, February 28, McGinnis, Catharine, and John Gar- vin.
^' •^c^'',
c, IS ^'r.zi '1; Cii:;.ti:;
;^^<3o^
1^ .7:hO'1VJH tr/A AdAHO ii.ri
■ .<'7 ioui^vA/i ban .rirfol
.-K.IicT i:;. -
. u ; V
^^SffffiEl^
i C«
n
SERVED IN THE REVOLUTION.
Liberty aud Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
— Mebster.
■^^HE first mention of any one bearing the name
y of McGinnis who rendered military service
on this side of the Atlantic, is that of Captain
McGinnis, who was killed near Lake George
(see page 32) in a fight with the French in 1755. He is
credited to New Hampshire, and no doubt was among
the earliest McGinnis immigrants.
An examination of the Second Series of Pennsylva- nia Archives shows the names of the following ]\IcGin- nises who participated in the Revolutionary war:
Timothy McGinnis appears as a private on the list of Northampton Associators, (roll of the Fourth Associated Company, Northampton Township, Bucks County), taken pursuant to the direction of the Committee of Safety, August 19, 1775. Henry Scott, aged 68, was Captain of his company. John S. Meginness, a descend- ant, is now a resident of Larksville, Luzerne County, Pa., and a sketch of him appears in the latter part of this work.
r-y'-'wcrrih ':M{r ZI (l,r:y]n>
;. it;, ■/!;;. .•■:JV'''->! ::, / !iM Jl'iiii'J i.l.;: ,l\'>4li,,I
h'.;]jsiD08«A rfitiuo'I Sii:? 'i.:> Hot, ,iiioJjif')C)5^A lioJq:
-Jtl.I 1
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 43
Arthur McGinnis is reported as a member of Josiah Harman's Company in 1775. John Philip DeHaas was Colonel of the regiment.
James McGinnis appears as a private in the company of Captain Thomas Church, Fourth Pennsylvania Bat- talion, Colonel Anthony Wayne, 1776. He is also cred- ited to the Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line.
Patrick McGinnis was a private in Captain Albright's Company, Colonel Samuel Mile's Rifle Regiment, in 1776. His name also appears in Casper WeitzeFs Com- pany, same regiment; then as a member of Captain John Marshall's Company, Colonel John Bull's Regiment of foot, from IMarch i, 1777, to November 12, 1777. We then find him in Captain John McCullough's Company of Artillery, Philadelphia, April 27, 1779. He is cred- ited to Northumberland County, in the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna.
Robert ]McGinnis was a private in the Company com- manded by Captain Francis Murphy, Colonel Samuel Atlee's Musketry Battalion, 1776, and was taken pris- oner at Fort Washington. In the assessment return for Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Pa., for 1780, his name appears, but the quantity of land for which he was assessed is not given. He is also credited as a pri- vate in the First Pennsylvania Regiment, Continental Line. He was living in Lancaster County in 1811.
Daniel McGinnis was a member of the First Regi- ment— Company not stated. Also of the Third Regi- ment. He died in Loudon County, Virginia, January 13, 1831. Age not given.
John McGinnis, ist, served from January i, 1777, to 1781, in the Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Line. And he was paid ofif by Mr. Nicholson as an ' 'eighteen months'
^,ji, .YHOTcJH (V/)A V'.tPl5iO_ aTl
.Ui3
''I ,;: .■uii':'j , j;; V!, '/,' '■.;■;:! ■
/t;j,<'j'Ti',.0 ^'iI^iiK'iii; J-.;!/; ;!'[-:- !;:t.;v]:0 n: nu'd bii/1 ii3iij ■ Ur\'^ -v. ill .P^~i /;s \hy]i ,;.'.. ;;;:■;:' :n'l ,Y-i::>liij-fA lo
;'3:..i:rt;'^ ianofoQ ;;i\<V''A(.. dJDrts'rl -rd !)obHf5nt
T
. ^' I 1.,.] ,.iiM ,vji:;.r , .; t;?- „;,■:.. ;.o,,: .jjrtiJinv/oT :;>:' ^i/v^nO
Gini,vl 3f{} ni 3JBV
cL'nom n:>3Jtfgb'* nsas nosioil'jiH .iM yd ^^ b
44 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
man," May 14, 1785. He was living in Adams County in 1814.
John McGinnis, 2d., was a private in Captain William Alexander's Company, Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, Colonel William Irvine.
John INIcGinnis, 3d, is recorded as a private in Cap- tain Samuel Kennedy's Company, Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, Colonel William Irvine.
John McGinnis, 4th, appears as Second Lieutenant of the 6th Company of Cumberland County Associators, May 14, 1778. He had taken the oath of allegiance April 10, 1778.
Roger McGinnis was a private in Captain Jacob Ash- mead's Company, Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, 1779. He enlisted September 25, 1778.
Edward ]\IcGinnis was a drummer in ]\Iajor Parr's Company, and in August, 1778, he was a private in the Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line.
William McGinnis served as a private in Captain Archibald McAllister's Company, Colonel Hartley's Reg- iment, Continental Line.
The names of Lawrence and Andrew McGinnis occur in the records, but as they are so carelessly made up, their companies and regiments are unknown.
Owen McGinnis appears as a private in Captain Mat- thew Smith's Company, which was enlisted in that part of Lancaster now embraced in Dauphin County. Sixty- five members of this company reached the Plains of Abraham in the famous march on Quebec, and nearly all were captured January i, 1776. They were paroled August 7th, and arrived at New York September 11, 1776.
\ \
r- ; : ^? It)'/ nil) .anivl rifsi:.'.' 'v^rt!;
'.ill.- 'to
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 45
Robert McGinnis, 2d, took the oath of allegiance Mav 14, 1778, in Cumberland County. He must have been another man from the one of the same name who was credited to a Lancaster County battalion in 1776. The former afterwards appears as a member of the First Regi- ment, Continental Line.
Lieut. John McGinnis, killed at the battle of King's Mountain, South Carolina, Oct. 7, 1780, was an ensign in the New Jersey Regiment, but acted as a lieutenant on that special service. He belonged to Allen's Regiment of Skinner's Brigade, Ferguson's Corps, and behaved with great gallantry until killed in the charge. It is unknown who he was, but it is probable that he was one of the early immigrants from Ireland.
James McGinnis was mustered March 10, 1777, in' the Third Company, Pennsylvania Artillery, commanded by Hercules Courtena}', and he was afterwards promoted to Corporal,
The name of Sainuel McGinness does not appear on the few records that have been preserved, but that he took part in the Revolutionary struggle is well attested by tradition.
.uniA-, * ,,r
.•>fi;J ir.j !(-•;< i^L'iioJ ,'n'>fu
1 , '. .A ) •■■:
,;, ,. >■;-: ' ' < .-jijijoj :;; ^' :)
• ' .'' .••;;.j ,Lj 3!!i ir; h-iii'bi irj;:r) /i la,;;!!:,;; • r
, ,•■.■,, ■- lo
A i
rt'j i(/'}C\i]!', ton '.aoP.' •-'Minirbl/ juinr.S ^o ivi
Mr! ^i^ut .';.!'' ,f>';».'r-?^X"'7 ii^f'! :'"i^ii :n;i.t ;^bj<''r^:/i "//yl 3ili
rATA"A'A"^'%^^.^."A''>jf^.^"AT^."'^'A'A^A'Af;
^:g^^-YrX-^'^-'^'^"^^^l-Ifl-^-T-^^'^^^^-"^^^^^
SjIU-
GREAT GRANDFATHER.
Abbreviations. — b., born ; d., (lied ; m., married; uniii., unmarried. The italic letters indicate the number of children in a family in the order of their birth, and the figures on the left mean that a sketch of the subject will be found further on corresponding with the number.
AMUEL McGinn ESS, my great grandfather, came to this country from Ireland somewhere between 1755 and 1760, and it is believed, landed either at Newcastle or Philadelphia. The year he was born is unknown, but it must have been about 1740 or 1742. Some of his earliest descend- ants claimed that he was born in County Tyrone. Com- paratively nothing is known of his parentage, or how many there were in the family. It is known, however, that he was accompanied by a brother named John.*
* John McGinness was a seafaring man, and had command of a vessel. On one of his voyages it was wrecked and he was lost. The marriage registry of tlie Swedes Church shows that he married Mar- garet Woodbridge, of Philadelphia, ^larch 0, 1777. In time a daugh- ter was born and named .Sarah McGinness. Becoming an orphan soon after birth, she was adopted by her uncle, the Rev. Samuel Woodbridge, and took his name. He was a Seventh Day Baptist. In 1778 or 1779, when a mere infant, she was carried across the moun- tains by him and his wife, mounted on bales of goods strapped on the back of a pack horse. He settled in Springhill Township, Fayette County, and founded the village which bears his name. He built a church and dwelling, and preached without money and without price
:A:Uir/Mnv:/.Ai) tahmo
... -1 'ijMM,, I-
V.
'..'ir!,^ i'.'^,r.i: 73^301 J i.. ."iI I)3iiIRC:«}03DG i".;;
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 47
Sometime in the year 1764, Samuel married Margaret Kennedy, of Delaware, and they took up their residence in Newcastle.
On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, Sam- uel McGinness entered the army and served in the Com- missary department under Washington. He participated in several battles, and saw much hard service.
When the war was over, he settled in Chester County and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed to the close of his life. He died in Upper Oxford Town- ship about iSoi, and it is supposed he was buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Oxford. The date of the death of his wife is unknown. They had issue:
i. Catharine, b. , 1765; d. , 1845, near Oxford,
Pa.
1. ii. James, b. May 26, 1767; d. November i, 1839, in
Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa.
2. Hi. .Samuel, b. March i, 1771; d. March 3, 1841, in Fa}'-
ette Count>-, Pa.
3. iv. Johnston, b. March 4, 1773; d. October 23, 1840, in
Muskingum County, Ohio.
4. V. William, b. , 1775; d. , 1839, in Sullivan
Count}', Ind.
5. vi. John, b. June 9, 1777; d. December 14, 1852, in
Northumberland County, Pa,
until he died. Sarah McGinness-Woodbridge grew up to be a very beautiful woman. She married John Oliphant, who was born in Chester County, and the history of Faj'ette County records the fact that when they stood up before the venerable uncle to be married, sometime in 1790, they made a " remarkably fine couple." Andrew Oliphant, the father of her husband, was a trader. When Braddock's expedition was organized, his horses were seized to carry goods. He was present at the battle, and when Braddock was mortally wounded he was conveyed from the field on a litter swung between two of his horses. She was the mother of four sons and sis daughters. F. H. and Gen. S. D. Oliphant, of iron furnace fame, were her grandsons.
VVT >Ti^T!3
u.fj -jil iv?;-,>(;.:;ji-: /i :}'■: nn;, ,1081 iu
VII J ;ij
) J;; i
-'n/'i ill ,i|''i ,f, .•'^■11:'-'' .' ' ; v'' '• '*->"if'i'' •*' ,t-.'«mn2 .hi -C
. r
48
THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
According to what has been stated, my line of descent may be summarized for five generations, as follows:
5. John Brian McGinness, great great great grandfather. 4. James, great great grandfather. 3. Samuel, great grandfather. 2. James, grandfather. I. Benjamin, father.
,^', 1 ^ ' > '■
T;._jV: r-,!
,p;r/fMHOAi/. "•■to ■
8^
-ndii'lbinriu \r:':^r:, jr.-
v'w:.lfKCE--'S{ tf;-::"^ ,i:>i:/ tf ;, 'i .J;
f-|f;\
Sketch No. 1.
!, : -.i ■ .; ,^. N'^ft !-.\ S.'
Man is but the sum of his ancestors, v. t.
V ■-, . ••,,,.- ,,• >',.. 'ri<.:v.r. 1 ' '. —Emerson.
AMES McGINNESS,4 (Samuel, ^ James, '^ John Brian, ^) b. May 26, 1767, in Delaware; d. Nov. ^J I, 1839, in Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa. His boyhood days were spent principally in Chester County, Pa., in the vicinity of Oxford. When grown to manhood he settled in the southern part of the adjoining county of Lancaster. This portion of the county was largely settled by Irish, and consequently, the township of Colerain was named after a town of Ireland, in County Londonderry. When he located in this township the country was new and thinly settled.
' James purchased a farm in Colerain of John Russell and Margaret his wife, which contained 106 acres and 96 perches, on the 21st of March, 1796. He lived there until April 29, 1837, when he sold his farm to James and Samuel Findlay for $2,000, and purchased a smaller one in the same neighborhood, where he lived until he died. He was married three times. His first wife, Ann Ford-
G
I C'^l I {
j'lt J'.uf .-I nil!/
,(ilfil0!
r 1
, J
.taljJ:*'! vIniiiJ frii^ -/79n ft£w viinuoD
;I bios ;^f{ I I ,pS.
irK>'{ ft '.'A .Jiiv/ l>:!rt diH
50 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
ham,* was an English Quakeress, of Philadelphia. The marriage took place about 1786, and she died October 12, 1821, aged 58 years and 4 months. Her remains were interred in the Friends burial ground at Penn Hill, Lit- tle Britain Township, Lancaster County, Pa. His second wife, Mary Reynolds, whom he married about 1825, died at iSIt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, in April, 1S26, whither they had gone on a visit to a brother, leaving an infant daughter. He then returned to Colerain, bring- ing the child with him, and on December 20, 1826, he married Hannah Miller, b. September 20, 1802; d. January . 29, 1885, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Martha S. Day, at Prospect, Harford County, Md.
James McGinnis was a man of great activity in his day. During the time of the transportation of freight to Pittsburg by pack horses, he was employed for a time as a freighter, and frequently crossed and recrossed the Allegheny mountains. Memorandums entered on the fly leaves of a book once owned by him, show that he was at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, May 7, 1826; and as the name of Johnston ]\IcGinnis occurs in the same book, it is believed that this brother lived there at that time.
* A specimen of her needle work is still in existence. It consists of a few mottoes or verses worked on perforated card board with col- ored yarn, with her name, " Ann Fordham," and the date " 177-J," attached. It was executed eleven years before her marriage, and tle- scended to her eldest daajrhter. Mariraret McGinnis Swisher, and is now in the hands of her granddaughter, Mrs. Rebecca Grotl", of Cole- rain. And although over 116 years old, it is still in a good state of preservation, and hangs upon the wall in its antiquated frame as a precious heirloom.
Another souvenir, also of rare value, is now in the possession of the author, her grandson. It is a lady's pocketbook for needles, thim- bles and cuttings. The outer covering is of worsted stuff, with an embroidered tlap. and it contains three crompartmenta or pockets, which are lined with brown silk taken from her wedding dress!
.-i,''T
-:M jlil; UiV^l 1. Lirt.;^^;; {£;nr;i.-f rlM^-jli^. -vM; ;j; fr.vf;)Hi
/Iff'.;/.; r'}'\ .,:*! ,v3[t;;oO r:^;--'. ui :\ .|«
r^i'' .:^ 1.81 , Ji;';;'/ ! *; 'Trrnr t;f! nucjl/. .,;-^
'J/' ■ '■':•:■ ^ ,"ivi'i''>':'' 0 (-■' li-.r, r. .if ■' ■;: ■'-!■■ /:^'f> 'iviUirfw
■Tifi .tiJ-ir'J •■.■% ": j:: if; ; j')' ; :v ; ;(/,.,■; y;. .■ iilCio •;•£!* of:[ v-^.;,'i:i.I .i> :<io<5l ,0;. r> '' -.^ ;■ • : '' ' : I.'' i! :.a ;;r:n !v;>iTii>m .Cj Liij't.!. i/! ..^Tj^ ,'f?j;i ;.j;u:]' '..fi \ : .-:i:. /■ -^ilj _'■ , :>i
kirl f;? ••Jr/f:D(.: )r.'j7;r; "lo i:;;fi: r, .,, v /^ ; ft nii" >")''/; ^ofi:ii{_
oin^j G -I"") , . .;/ ■■:■: .;• J. ■;■:>' 1 >i';,,r.(] v<^ >;; ;{_'^i>;;ji4 oJ
j!i: ;/•>-( •■f03i hti« rj-:>*.rra:-> ,i^:J;,-W^ i>ijn :y)'>--^^hi] n zb
i]^ ']'. ofrii;.'! 'jd3 ^iJ. .')irr ;d£8l
'ji-jii'J i;.-:'Vii ;:■.. ': ' I li'.'jrivJ >;; Ji , 'Ij
.is
nniw^rimaLrMi <->f,tf m.' t.ii<! ■-'•' 'v-:[i>7 /.ttr'» 'i,
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 5!
In district No. 11, composed of Bart and Colerain Townships, Lancaster .County, Pa., James jNIcGinnis was appointed a Justice of the Peace, ]March 31, 1S23, and held the office until his death. The remains of one of his old dockets is still in existence in the hands of his son Morris, of Shane, Baltimore County, Md. It is written in a bold, clear hand, showing that he was a good penman.
A few months before his death, which was caused by cancer on the lip, he executed the following will, which is on record at the Court House in Lancaster:
Be it remembered that I, James McGinness, of Colerain Towiiship, in the County of Lancaster, and State of Penn- sylvania, being weak in body, but through Divine mercy favored with a sound mind, memory and understanding, and considering the uncertainty of this transitoiy life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following; that is to say, as for and concerning all my estate whatsoever wherewith it hath pleased Divine Provi- dence to bless me in this life, I dispose thereof as follows, to wit :
First. I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied.
Item Second. It is my will and I hereby direct, that all my personal estate, (excepting such part thereof as I have herein otherwise disposed of,) shall be sold at public auction by my executors, as soon after my decease as they may think expedient.
Item Third. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Han- nah, the one-third part of my estate, according to the existing laws of Pennsylvania, to be in lieu of dower; and it is also my will that all the provisions in the house at the time of my decease, together with as much grain, &c., as may be deemed necessary for the use of the family for six mouths, shall be
/.I!/' .in fv-^k /.lOIHO 8TI
":-<.■ ii ' - , M i; :;:;! -^:ji■.l'., -.mi s
- -'>n: :;;:•!;;■:■: -'vr-J ;!<■'. . . . . i.o
.•i ;] .1)]/. ,-:;;n;foO o-;i .rt:;:'. ^' ..;;:;.[[(-;. r.> ,<;;^ji/; itO'r «iri
lurr ■f'i''':!-.;rr! ni l";ii, r''.;/ '-.i)i vf ■-•■'' iR
ti ■.■:'■ .-; ^<1 r
&i.i iinaa .htuiiot'i y.t^ 101
52 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. s,i
retained b}"" my said wife for that purpose, and she shall also have her choice of one cow.
Item Fourth. The children I had by my first wife being all married and settled in the world for themselves, and hav- ing already received from me as much as my circumstances will admit of, I therefore give and bequeath to them as fol- lows: To my son Benjamin the sum of one dollar; to my son George the sum of fifty dollars, to be paid to him sixty days after ni}^ decease; to my daughter Margaret, the wife of Henry Swisher, the sum of one dollar; to my daughter Sarah, wife of John Keylor, and her heirs, a certain bond I hold against James Caldwell, drawn in favor of Andrew Hunter, and by him assigned to me, and which I put in the hands of the late George B. Porter, Esq., for collection, and for which I paid him a fee of three dollars; to my daughter x\nn, wife of Moses Bryan, the sum of twenty-five dollars.
Item Fifth. Having the fullest confidence in the frequent assurances given to me by the family of my late beloved wife Mary, fa daughter of Joshua Reynolds,) that her only child, Mar>', should have and receive the portion intended for her deceased mother, I therefore only bequeath to my said beloved daughter Mary a bed and bedding that belonged to her late mother, a trunk and all her mother's wearing apparel, and the sum of five dollars in money; and in case she be living at the time of my decease, my will is and I do hereby appoint my esteemed friend and relative, Morris Reynolds, (her uncle,) to be her guardian during her minority, and earn- estly hope he will accept the appointment.
Item Sixth. It is my will and I direct that so much of the net income of my estate as shall be necessary for the maintenance and education of the children I have, or may have, by my present wife, shall be applied to that purpose by their guardians hereinafter named, until they shall re- spectivel}' arrive to the age of fourteen years.
Item Seventh. I will and bequeath to my two daughters, Martha and Hannah, the whole amount of my personal estate
.^■t( 'I ■!■ . ■".•■ ' - •■.■: ' r:u^ -srii j ' . . :i;;..p^rr -.Hi :- ; '.:■.'■ ':,-.. •'' .-.[hr; •:,[; y'-i -^^IJ nflrl •••""'T vli ■: ', y/L'Ijfi u^ui (lu.V. •■'■.'■>.'■. j.l: -/(i -ict o; :.v:ji .^^
l.'Mr ,!.;'iirj''.ji; x:f:' ';:/ .T ■.'■'*. .•^ rn 7":'H ilr or;,- /rjr?: i
.; :■-.,■;> .■;':>;'';„'•!:' J.. i,>'Tii •:■.;'] 17/ vrri ,j>f*r;; TVfi; --ihfonvj.H /injoM ,v7iJ/.ii:>-; bin; . -{!ii.-j iu.'^ .yjhorii;
"k ib/;xn o? :Ji:;H[T l^^ifb 1 ''••■?" 'ffv,- y."t ^: iX .ritx'rP. m**!!
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 53
not herein otlierwise disposed of, to be equally divided be- tween them, share and share alike, when they arrive at the respective ages of eighteen years; but in case both my said daughters shall die under age and without issue, then the same shall become part of the residue of my estate.
Item Eighth. As for and concerning all the rest, residue, reversions and remainder of my estate whatsoever, which I have not herein other\vise disposed of, I give, devise and be- queath the same and ever}- part and parcel thereof to my three sons, to wit: Morris Reynolds, William Wiltshire and Henry Allen, or the survivor of them, his or their heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike as tenants in common; and in case either of my said sons should die under age and without issue, then the share of such so dying shall go to the survivor or survivors.
Item Ninth. My will is and I hereby appoint my son-in- law, John Keylor, and my friends Jeremiah Swisher and Ju- nius Marshall, guardians of my five last named minor chil- dren until m}' sons shall arrive to the age of twenty-one years, aud my daughters to the age of eighteen years. And it is my will that my wife and minor children shall continue to reside upon the farm I now live on for at least one year after my decease; and if at the expiration of that time the above named guardians, or a majority of them, shall deem it more advantageous to my said minor children that my real estate should be sold, they are hereby authorized, (by and with the consent of my executors hereinafter named,) to sell and convey the same, either at public auction or private con- tract, for its reasonable value in current money, and to effect- uate this my intention, I do hereby vest in the above named guardians, or a majority of them, full power and authority (by and with the consent of my executors as aforesaid) to dis- pose of all my real estate in fee simple, or for a term of years, or other\vise, in as full and large a manner in every respect as I could myself do if living; and in the event of a sale be- ing made of my real estate, my will is and I do direct the
cc
:■:;.> r:.:ii c.vj. /for an i>Tl
|
y- . ' ■:;; ..■ . ; ■.. .y |
^'^:'. I |
|
/:.<■; .■■:' ':(.>.'•'] :■!!.' |
'-"■'■■■( |
|
>/rj, :■■; ■■■-:•/.■'/ : . |
.''■; ^. |
r^\y.-. ■■ :" r ■'■•a ':■'.:. j .:i t'"' ,•■'!;• rrjjJrl^^ty iv> ^i-^;^;; jv ■.'_>;>. ^i^-:!! :);;ij :<■'"• j-:vr '-'\t lii:':'': ;v v^n-::; l^fi;. "I'Ti -.A, .■■''!.:,'ij.}l isyj}.]
:' ' ;■ ■ :'■ .-■■. .' V- }<■'/■' ■^>; -si^- li:. :
■i'lrv ^'.'^l ■/;r; * "•
:iU' ■■■n'i^ii to ■■'■^;;. ,•.'. ■' -.■'.■■:. '\'.:&-: <;;•.>; ^ :: Jjri:!> ii3lh
.■no ?^/-;.: J; -JCi ■■;(• -^vm /.,.; ; r' .■^: ■ lij f;(i::i,: 'C»hi«3i o? ■■ ' ':? t'iul.^ ']'> K.t^A.v. V'-,'-^-:; l^ ';• hr:K :•>■.•■;■,'■.'' "'
''.;.! -(iij ii:!)i; . :!';|i'-: ■;.,;;:.:; Li:;. vi. :'."-;' •v::i>i;-":.v::';, .7"roai
■;ir. V'l ,];■. ■ ';:■;■:;■; /:[[• ,h\o? od bfjjo;; ■ '-■
■ -li-' o:' ,b ;-;:-_ :,j ^■'-■, ^ [■'-,'■, fh r\r' io U\:\?.cxO -■
;(.. .1 :'»!;'/• n{ ji. \:\l ■/^>■.
.'.■ji.ssv lo ;'nr;} .r so* ;(.< .t>icrr;;!r
•>d) 5r'-j7.:b C'b ,' ).vr';/. si nr*7-''([m ,9if.}«» IfiM vas Io 9-
54 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. 35
above named guardians, or a majority of them, or their suc- cessors, witli the consent of my executors aforesaid, to la}' out the proceeds of the sale of the said land in other land, and have the same executed to my aforesaid three sons, or the survivor or survivors of them, his or their heirs and assigns as tenants in common; and if either of the above mentioned guardians shall refuse to act or die, then such person or per- sons as the Orphans' Court of Lancaster County shall appoint shall exercise the said guardianship, and I earnestly entreat their utmost care, respectively, in and about the morals and education of my said children.
And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my afore- said beloved wife, Hannah McGinness, executrix, and Lea- vin H. Jackson, of Little Britaiti Township, executor of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke, annul. and make void all wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made, and publish and declare this only to be and contain my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I, the said James McGinness, the tes- tator, have hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of August, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-nine.
[Signed.] . JAMES McGINNESS. [seal.]
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James McGinness, the testator, as and for his last will and testa- ment, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the execution thereof.
JOHN BUSHONG, Jr. • . JOHN B. KENNEDY.
His son, Henry Allen, having died before reaching the age of twenty-one, the surviving brothers, Morris and William, inherited his share of the estate. The sum of ^366.66 was retained for his widow, Hannah.
\rji:i :-n\r
f-?>
tU; ,t'rr;l ^'•[.■'.'^ '.I l-i!;',: i,:,\r'
yiil
-:j-iv*r. '-!?' . i'^::^;;.
, . '• ' '"'i, ;: i.
.:.v'Jf^l .?iH^l /^ '■!.<()■ I y.
r ;,wf^if-i
J01;lJSlJ .^oK-iiy-^XO 3tii
■■■jii i>iUVi.<: ".":'■! f
.;!r:':.n ;t* /.'/ali.v.' -..'ff no; DaauJ:^!
ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. 55
On the 8th of April, 1851, they sold the farm of 443/^ acres to Dr. George T. Dare for $1,250.34, and gave a deed for the same, which may be found recorded at Lan- caster in Deed Book Q, Vol. 7, p. 535.
James McGinnis, Esq., had issue by his first wife, Ann Fordham, as follows:
i. Elizabeth, b. , 1787; d. in infancy.
6. ii. Margaret, b. January 3, 1789; m. Henry \V. Swisher
February 14, 1816; d. April 7, 1862.
7. Hi. Sarah, b. October 13, 1795; m. John Keylor March
18, 1S24; d. September 29, 1887. iv. James, b. , 1800; d. October 2, 1826, unm.
8. V. Ann R., b. May ^3, 1801; m. Moses Bryan June 16,
1825; d. September 29, 1887.
9. vi. Benjamin, b. May 3, 1S03; m. Sarah Johnston, ,
1825; d. April 6, 1870. 10. vii. George S., b. April 18, 1806; m. Eliza McGinnis, his first cousin, October 16, 1830; d. Januar}' 25, 1854. . ,u, a .. .r. . r. ir-: 2;
By his second wife, Mary Reynolds, he had: '
i. Mary, b. , April 1826; m. William Vancourt, .
of Cecil County, Mar\-land, about 1865, and they reside within a few miles of Belair, the Capital of Harford County. Postoffice, Hickory'. Mr. Van- court is a blacksmith and farmer by occupation.
They have one daughter, Annie, b. , 1S66.
She m. Cornelius Barrow, of Harford County, Md.,
January- , 1890. They reside near Corson
Run, that County. He is a farmer.
By his third wife, Hannah Miller, he had issue:
18. i. Morris R., b. January 9, 1828; m. Sarah A. Swine- hart Februarys 28, 1854. Resides near Shane, Bal- timore County, Md.
Ur,!:, .s p .'.)' ' . .. 'S\.X ; . . , .yv,
• '. .'I •• . .r.!j..,'jj:u'; firtA
'.•m:A' vy-r\'A H- ^' ■ i : '..:<■ ,,- : '■"!■! '■..'■ -I , rlr-i.3 .::t .^
.n:':r ,■-••■ :. ■ >M ■; ^ .1 ■ ■■' . - M :-".:*. r .V!
'S • r,-,\ Mi, /-^fi .,■•....,/ , ; .:. :'■ :t vj]/ c . '] :/■ .•; H
■y.i .-nlliK il; :■ :t^3 ^'ni vi?
81 "
56 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
19. a. William Wiltshire, b. ]\Iarch 31, 1830; m. Sarah
Emily Drenon x\ugust 29, 1861; d. in Butte Coun- ty, California, April 10, 1873. r
20. Hi. Martha Swift, b. February 20, 1S33; ^- John R.
Day, of Harford County, Md., December 10, 1S6S. He was b. January 30, 1829, and d. May 31, 1SS9. at Johnstown. iv. Henrj' Allen, b. October 31, 1835; d. September 2,
1845- V. Joshua, b. March 30, 1837; d. April 15, 1837. vi. Hannah, b. April 6, 1838; d, June 4, 1843. '
SAMUEL McGINNESS,=^ (James, 2 John Brian, ^)b. March 7, 1771, in New Castle County, Delaware; d. March 3, 1S41, in Fayette County, Pa. He m. Miss Jane ]\rcCrea March 27, 1799. She was b. September 15, 1764, in County Tyrone, Ireland, and d. November 27, 1843, ^t her Fayette county home.
Bom at the opening of the American Revolution, Samuel McGinness was little more than a youth of nine years at the close of the strus^g-Ie which srave us inde- pendence. Owing to the disorganized condition of the country during the memorable conflict, and the absence of his father in the army, his mother and her little fam- ily saw hard times. He grew to manhood principally in Chester County, Pa., and was early inured to hard work. His occupation w'as that of an agriculturist. Attracted by the glownng reports of the advantages to be gained by emigrating to the western part of the State, he took his family in 1S39 and made his way to Fayette County. It was a rugged and hillv region, but one of the earliest settled portions of the State. Near where
T , ':>'^' ,
Mn/A'i Hir
•PI
s ^''
?: Jit' ;
: ■ II.'-'
^ /- ■ 1 ■ . I ,' ' '.T T t "• r » Q
,r. ■ - • i • -' ' 1 ■ » iv ' '.I 1'- /iO
■■'ij/1 .;;; olf r'i //'fffo'J .;:.' ;■] :;; .il'6i .; tiomM
\ '
.:iv;J;v.^'/'j>i ',:iiOi\->i:ij
It oJ
^)70({vv i;,'j)i'l -UL-J-ri axlJ t
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 57
he settled the National Road, that great thoroughfare, championed by the illustrious Henry Clay, was soon af- terwards built, and over it many of the distinguished statesmen of that period traveled on their way to and from Washington City, There they spent the balance of their days in comfort and peace. They left issue:
i. Johnston, b. December 25, 1799, in Chester County, Pa.; d. August 20, 1S75, i^ Tuscola, Douglas County, Illinois. He m. Eliza Durnall in 1S27, in Chester County. In 1S37 he emigrated with his family to Fayette Count}-, Pa., purchased land and engaged in farming. March, 1863, the\' made their way to Douglas Count}-, Illinois, and settled. They had children :
1. Samuel, b. , 1828. He m. and has six
children. A farmer by occupation.
2. William, b. , 1829. Unmarried.
3. Maria Jane, b. April 30, 1831. Unm.
4. John b. , 1S32. Resides at Tuscola.
A lawyer by profession. ii. Margaret, b. November 7, 1801; m. Alexander Hel- ton , 1824; d. October 15, 1889, in Oxford,
Chester County. Mr. Holton was of Irish origin also, and was b. August, 1801, and d. Decem- ber 29, 1877. He learned the trade of a black- smith, and followed it for several years in Russel- ville, Chester County, Pa. Soon after marriage he became a farmer and dealer in stock and real estate, which he followed till within a year or two of his death. He was a representative man of his time, and served long as a Justice of the Peace in Upper Oxford Township, Chester County, Pa. They had issue (surname Holton) as follows :
I. Samuel M. Holton, b. January 25, 1825; d. June 29, 1878. He m. R. Susanna Wal- lace in 1843. They had ten children, viz:
H
■ f . y^ .
.,,,i"' :;-v-: :;:;f.T f- ,!;.:. '"t-i ■•- !''! ,;:■•..' ^■' : '■;.:■; rrK'/i >t; :•: /i:f) lion}
.■■■ -'jil'J -.; .-.;■-:
1.^" •■■:'/; b !;'■? '■'■ «■■-' ' • " ■ " ■•
■li ■■. )
■r/otx' »
r: : i 'f .
V. d ^j-T.'.'iirJ.'!
vi:.-
•d
58 THE FAMILY OF MAGKNNIS,
Henrietta M., b. ; d. June , 1852;
Charles H., b. , 1854; Sarah, d. in
infancy; Thomas, d. in infancy; Emma
"■ E., b. , iS — ; Frances, d. in infancy;
James B., b. , 18—; Bayard, S., b.
, d. — May, iSSi; John S., b. ,
18 — ; Augustus, b. ; d. in infancy.
2. Jackson H., b. March 13, 1S27; d. in Ed-
enton, Chester County, January 8, 1S67; m. Sarah Hickman. The}- had:
I. Cassius, b. ; m. , and
lives in Reading. 2. Randolph, b.
; m. and lives in the West. 3.
Benjamin, b. . He is married
and lives in the West. B3' occupa- tion a farmer.
3. Amanda, b. September 10. 1S2S; d. August
29, 1829, in Russelville.
4. Thomas, b. August i, 1830; m. Matilda
Harper, ,1852. She died leaving two
sons, Harry and Frank. Both are de- ceased. He married, second, Celina Waj-, and they have two sons. They li\'e at Kennett Square, Chester County, Pa. Occupation, merchant.
5. Benjamin H., b. January 10, 1833; d. Oc-
tober 8, 1870, in Russelville. He mar- ried Charlotte Jamison. They had issue:
I. Benjamin H., ra. 2. George, deceased. 3. Sarah M., deceased. 4. Cline Y., deceased. 5. Mary. 6. William H., married. 7. Forest, married. • 8. Cecil, married. 9. Nel- lie, married. 10. Park. His widow is still living.
1 ! I . : ; . ; t -t
?'?,
...vj ti'-r': , ,r"pi'"H
7£ ;/ fiilii'j.-) .iv;c;iv)^ .[^'•■•-l^^rfT ^H .f>!r-ri'i'>
.It: iiil.nvm :i v ii,vq irxjO
'^ -l
J .s .m
;v ,.I.J ineilliW
ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. 59
6. James, b. Septeml)er 24. 1S34. Single.
Lives in Oxford. Occupation, farmer.
7. William V., b. December 3, 1836; m. Saiali
Adams. They live in Philadelphia, and have six children: iVnnie, Clark, Mary. Jane, Eva and Lewis. By occupation he is a carpenter.
8. Jesse D., b. March 23, 1839; ni. Mary Pen-
nock February 6, 1861. They have:
I. M. Tillie, b. November 3. 1861; • • m.D. H.Strickland, of Oxford, Ches-
ter County, Pa. 2. Lizzie J., b. April 2, 1864; m. Harr}- R. Snead, of Phil- '■ adelphia, Pa.. 3. Ella AL, b. De-
' cember 21, 1S66; single. 4. J. Pen-
"'Y' ' nock, b. October 12, 1870; single. • ' 5. J. Willis, b. August 29, 1873. 6.
Harry W., b. December 18. 1878. Mr. Holton and family live in Ox- ■i ford, Chester County, Pa. By occu-
pation he is a carpenter.
9. Isaac S. W. Holton, b. April 11, 1840; m.
and .settled in A'irginia. Plave children. By occupation he is a farmer.
10. David McHolton, b. March 22, 1842: d.
Feb. I, 1S72, in Coate.sville. Unmarried.
11. John R. Holton, b. April i, 1845. Single.
Lives at Oxford, Chester County. Occu- pation, a dealer.
Hi. Eliza, b. October 9, 1803; m. John Y. McNeil in 1830, and d. November 30, 1S34. No issue; bu- ried at Oxford.
iv. William, b. May 18, 1805; m. Miss Ann Dance, of Chester County, Pa., January 30, 1836. Moved to Fayette County in 1 839 and settled in Menallen
. .- ■ • ■ , .. .- ■■-' -f_ , I J
.iilOJxL) Ji: b'Ji
it''Il.<.i'.v]^ tri b3iJj»^- '-:»"Afi''f oi
6o THE FAMILY OF :\rAGENXrS.
Township. April 4, 1S79, they removed with their family to Marion County, Kansas. There they purchased 320 acres of land and engaged in farming and stock raising, and success has at- tended their efforts. Postoffice, Aulne. They have issue:
1. Elizabeth, b. November 3, 1838. Unm.
lyives with her parents.
2. Samuel, b. August 6, 1839; married
They reside in New York.
3. Anna M., b. Decembers, 1S41; m. O. C.
Brown, of Fayette County, September 14,
1865. They moved to Kansas in 1873.
: ,^ ,, Postoffice, Aulne. They have: Mrs. Eva
.....\', Van Ostrand; b. December 15, 1866; m.
.Dec. II, 1888. Mrs. Quinnie Danskin, b.
■' . ■■ ' April 30, 1868; m. June 26, 1888. Ora
■■-".^- C, b. November 18, 1869. Rolla D., b.
December 3, 1871.
4. Joseph Johnston, b. November 27, 1844;
m. and removed to New York Cit}-, where It >■>':'' he d. September 9, 1SS7.
5. John D., b. September 5, 1847; m. Hattie
Flint February 21, 1870. They reside at "''•. Winfield, Kansas. Issue: Elliot Golden, William Roy, Rolla, and Eva Quinnie.
6. William C, b. October i, 185 1. Single.
Lives at Aulne, Kansas.
7. J. Frank, b. March 16, 1855; m. Avis Hal-
terman September 26, 1888. They have: William E., b. July 18, 1889; Byron F., b. January 20, 1891.
Mary Jane, b. March 11. 1808, in Chester County, Pa.; d. June 18, 1891, at the home of her brother William, Aulne, Kansas. Unmarried.
M/i-^non/: to •ijiujm :un'
M'.r ho"-'iw!'..":;;i; V"jf{'
3i;?«i
,/'";■.; r\l^\ .1 TV;'--.7.'Z
•' • ; .1-1 ^'1 i:u\i:\uO ■■■:.■'. ■<' ^'i it ;■ ■
;>'.(:' ! ,<■■ :• Off j.jqt;''r .;_. :>r}
H >•',>■: .c;£>: ;:\:' ,l-[;-i'
:^/.^ri/,yi. ,^f
'.-•t ,'n- r
ITS' ORIGIN AND HISTORY. ,^. 6r
No. 3.
JOHNSTON ^rcGINNESS,^ (Samud,'^ James, ^ John Brian, ^)b. March 4, 1772, in Newcastle, Delaware; married twice, and d. October 23, 1S40, in Mnskingum County, Ohio.
Although born before the thunders of the Revolution had fairly awakened the echoes of the land, he was too small to remember much about the great conflict. When the battles of Brandywine and Germantown were fought near his home, he was only about five years old. His father, it is supposed, was present at those engagenients, as he belonged to Washington's armv. As the British overrun that portion of the country, his mother and her family of small children were compelled to seek a place of better security than Newcastle.
When the war was over the family located in Chester County, not far from Oxford, and there they remained. Johnston was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and followed farming for many years. He did not marry early, as it appears he was thirty-five years old when he took Jane AIcMullin, in 1808, to be his wnfe. She was a resident of Chester County, but the date of her birth is unknown. Shed, August 25, 1821.
Soon after the death of his first wife he married, sec- ond, Deborah Curie, of Chester County, Pa. She died some time in 1827, leaving two children, which, with the seven bv the first wife, made a familv of nine to care for.
He now resolved to try his fortune in what was then known as the "back woods," and in 1828 he emigrated with his family to Ohio, and settled in the wilderness near Zanesville. He was then about fifty-six years of age. Soon after locating there, he was visited by his
.r.fii' ; .v
- ., - .'■'•••■ ;.'-'• -■' 'li j ':■.:•(.: . ,'";/• - " ■. -. ■" :■■ \' :l[ . . -.i
■'•• i '('' ..-70 ^JVi'/ -iLjr ^u\^
.: ' '?• Ill: i;;^ • v".;ir. -loi r^:![i[v:r: !jMV/of!ol
■ ■ :..;■. ^r! -;';■.' :y/-A /':':;:■ -xv/i-' • ■ - '--^3
luri? ''.'--f.' if-.rfv/ f.i '>(ij;tTo't >ifl ;M oJ b':)7ioe;-->i v/o»
"'v. :-jj;tJV ;■: j<- ■Mil j-'^ ',
62 . THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS. '' .
brother John, of Northumberland County. The latter went on to Kentucky and visited his brother William. He returned and reported him as living like a genuine backwoodsman in a log cabin.
As early as 179S, Samuel, the father of Johnston, accompanied by his son William, visited Ohio to look at the country. They followed the " Zane trail" from the river near Wheeling, on foot, with knapsacks on their backs, to what is now known as Zanesville. Samuel soon returned to his home in Chester County, Pa., but his son William remained a short time.
About a year after Johnston settled here he was vis- ited by his brother James, who contemplated locating there. His wife dying, however, and leaving an infant daughter for him to care for, (now Mrs. Vancourt, of Hickory, ]\Id.,) caused him to return to Colerain, Lan- caster County, Pa., with his charge,
A year or two later, a nephew, Benjamin, his wife and two children, a daughter and son, (now the author,) visited him, and remained a short time, but not liking the countr}', returned to Pennsylvania. Although over sixty years have passed, the writer has a dream-like recollection of that visit and journey. ., .
By his first wife, Jane McMullin, Johnston McGin- ness had issue: •
i. Margaret, b. 1809; m. Mr. Seibert, and d. in
Ohio.
ii. Caroline, b. 181 1.
Hi. Mary, b. 1813; m. George Fate and settled in
Bureau County, 111. They had a family. A grand- son, F. A. Fate, graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, June 1891, with great credit. His address is Bradford, 111.
^';'::t!r;;j ij v'J; : :<iA^vi; .->. f;j;i! h-:^^'-q^;i bn;: i'' '.!'■'!; i->r all
.nr.M-.-> -'M /. r:: *!.;.:> 'f::'..'7/>lDJ[.d
'i J-'f.i <>) '.iifiO 1 "j^-r/ ,i" !!!;'// ■.:>'.■-. Mi' /d ir::; ;"x;iao:>oc
■:;-^;:! rh/ ^' J';!:.>^!i:i:,-I .(j;i"// ,jn"w :^ ,;.:fii(0-Jii7/ vrvti Ty/h
.■^I'iiU.'^ ,_fi!;.^ !"v..A ;■;■; iiv/<'i:A ■:<.:} •-! j..,i;'.; oJ ,';^'Jiicf
1;r;[ ..'.■'_; ./'i; y.i'J i ■ -: .!'J 'i. .' ; ' ■;■' ^;l r.'j'i ;j'i',':t lii^o^
. ;■ ■ I . :■•:: {. ■;' :j,v;: ii;: 'i ' ' .7 ;:'.)■' ^'ifi
-:;■;■.: '■/;r^.;!:. -;'.^.. ■., ■ • v;, ;;>,-•,! ,;n ■,;:.! hyjr
. ^ ,.m:.'. J, '■,: .; ■ ^^ .■ •■. . ,, ■:,-I' VMV,' ^'Z: .'JtOflj
; w.)r?f ,n ,'■- :•!:;. i^.','- ''/b -. f •:! i';:L. ^, v.'i bnn .■aiirij ,r;i>i;,- t: ', . :;!i;j":^'i !■'!.. ,!;•;:) bi>Ji^iv
■.;.4if"i":jvj 'i. '. ^;-. ] lo.iiT// ■.;' '■-.'•;::;' 'j/^Nfi ^Tr/r;'/ •/Jxii-' ^ ; 'iiviuf'i. bin.. ;;;■;/ :'.;riJ io iii,)i:::.>'j^io'j'jT
'l!!^^:^l'. •(<..'"?■ r/rio[ /ulli; J/!:vi' :;!iij|^ ,75iw j^-rri ::ir! vJI
• :f3j;MJ bud an'^a
■ }j bna Ivjdi-jrt ."iM if: ;>;^i ; .r .:-jurr '■I.'!, .i
oJ;iO .1!?^. I d .^jinUyraO .SI
.lii ,b
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 63
iv. Jane, b. 1815; m. William Fountain, and they
located in Bureau County, 111., in 1S32. Raised a family. Both were living, August, iSgi.
V. Rachel, b. 181 7; married and settled in Bureau
County, 111.
vi. Sarah, b. ,. 1819; ra. and went west. She had a
son who graduated from Princeton with high honor. He is now a prominent man in Iowa, but his name has not been furnished.
vii Samuel, b. August 25, 1821, in Chester County, Pa. His mother, Jane McMullin-McGinness, d. the day he was b. In 1828 his father took his famih- and emigrated to Ohio and settled near Zanesville, and commenced the work of carving a farm out of the forest. There his famil}- of seven daugh- ters and two sons grew to manhood and woman- hood, married, settled, or went to other places.
Samuel, the eldest son, was brought up to hard work on the farm, and in course of time became the sole owner of the patrimonial estate. On the 26th of October, 1S4S, he m. Sophia Morris. She was a native of Chester County, Pa., having been born there December 15, 1S23.
After leaving the place of his nativity in Ches- ter County, in 1828, he only returned once on a visit, and that was during the centennial 3'ear, forty-eight years afterwards. He left the cars at Atglen, Chester Count}', and called on his aged aunt, Mrs. Ann Bryan. He also visited several relatives on his mother's side.
Samuel McGinness and wife have had issue as follows:
I. Charles J., b August 23, 1849; d. Decenj- ber 10, 1876, while a .student atWesleyan University, Bloomington, 111.
^ .'■;• ;:.;-: ,- - .-f .■i:,!;;:
r: !)>■ !l v,;:l -, .;■.-,,■ ', Ui .' ■"
r v;i- r''rt
i ,-'j. ::;■■:'.? 'v.i'- ■:;
;_/•;>■• _irii;
•■'j:;'. \
'. ,.,i. .H ''11
■A\ 1.. :. . ..>^f[.f
,,_,'j.,i v[;»v"r.;f , v.'^; ^-t Mi\i-)'J Ta-tr.v.'
'J (!i V '' . : Ji'i , - 'i '
.,^; ■■::3 L:::iv.i:'>! "ToftA
•jhi-c: r^'ivffTO':." hid tin •••"VMjnf^T
64 THR FAMILY OF MAGFNNIS. •'. ;
2. Mary E., b. September 8, 1S51; m. J. L.
Dozer Novenil^er 3, 1869. He is a car- penter by trade, and they live in Fosto- ria, Ohio.
3. Elizabeth A., b. Sept. 23, 1853. Unm.
lyives with her parents at Zanesville.
4. William T., b. April 2, 1856; m. Emma
Dunn October i, 1SS4. He is a farmer, and they reside near Wichita, Kansas.
5. Louis H., b. November 7, 1S58. Unm. , , Is with H. D. Munson & Son, musical
in.strument dealers, Zanesville, Ohio.
6. Alfred S., b. February 15, 1861; m. Ida
Ferguson June 9, 18S7. He is a farmer, and they live near Zanesville.
7. Edwin G., b. October 9, 1863. Unm.
Lives with his parents.
By his second wife, Deborah Curie, Johnston McGin- ness had:
i. Elizabeth, b. about 1S22; m. John M. Holcomb.
They live in Perry County, Ohio. \^ i'.^.
a. John, b. about 1824. Soon after the breaking out of
the Rebellion he joined the 42d Illinois Regiment
and was killed in the famous charge up Mission-
arj' Ridge.
No. 4.
WILLIAM McGINNESS,'^ (Samuel,-^ James, 2 John
Brian, ^)b. , 1775; d. , 1839, in Sullivan County,
Indiana.
As he was born the same year that the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, it is reo^retted that his natal day is unknown. His birthplace was Newcastle,
■•: r . >/* '/ '■('') /..: i 'I A.-i 'i ;m" \xs
■ir.:: :■ '} 'I I .0-::'. .• "^ •'(''"?/'- >'l ;i»-:">n
^ - ;u •■■::•: ; !r :■;-■■ .'" , '' ■-:... -7/ .1 .->:;f..» .•.)i.!V-i. !..;■. ,_-• ./:'■ -<•' :i:-y-^}:- ;:;
I ! . >\
>:i
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 65
Delaware. After peace was proclaimed his parents moved ■■ up into Chester County, Pa., in the vicinity of Oxford, and there they died about the beginning of the present centur>'.
Comparatively little is known of the history of Wil- \. liam McGinness, although the most diligent search has ,. been made. When quite a young man we hear of him ,: being in Northumberland County, Pa., with his brother . John, who was the youngest of the family. Then we hear of him visiting the vicinity of Zanesville, Ohio, with his father, in 1798. x'^fter this he disappears from sight for several years. There is a tradition that he went ' to Virginia, and then crossed the mountains into Ken- " tucky, and finally settled in Mercer County, that state. ' He is represented to have been a great reader and a man of considerable intelligence. His brother John visited '"' him in his Kentucky home and represented him as living ' in true pioneer style in a log cabin. He was a man of '^ great physical strength, and a story is handed down that he could carry a barrel of flour under each arm !
That he married and raised a family there is no doubt, but who his wife was is unknown. He had a son John who became a Methodist minister, and several years ago ■' he was following his calling in Central Illinois.
It is related by some of his relatives, that, becoming '\ tired of slavery in Kentucky, he disposed of his property '; and moved to Sullivan County, Indiana, where he died '' in 1839, aged 64 years. His descendants are supposed to be residing in that portion of the State, but thus far no clue to them has been discovered.
No. 5.
JOHN McGINNESS,-^ (Samuel, =^ James,2 John <i Brian, ^) b. June 9, 1777; d. Dec. 14, 1852, in McEwens-
^0 .YiTO'JV,id azj: ■/:iy}i:>io ?-n
• (•'7 '■ ' ■' ir.'/cu:;-! •^: 3!^:ru v;
.-f;M I, III rjll' if .::;0d7i». ,r; :3il
ji>>J >'';ii .-;!'B'!ii'vrr - :' '■ '•.••■■•< .i-: noil.; !m::; ..::';r^"nV oJ
' !!.•';■ !':m':; j./njj) 7i;:;iJ ;■' IsiTt.d £ vm;:,* bl;;o:> 3/1 . . .:l.i ■ . iud
]'.■,''.[< •:>[\ -^yjiVf.' ,r,ni,:l>iil. .-'hiuoj ruivillf!?* o:; hy/om bfiB
66 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. '^^
ville, Northumberland County, Pa., and buried in War- rior Run Church Cemetery.
When quite a young man he made his way up the Susquehanna River, and took up land in what afterwards became White Deer Township, Union County. This was about 1793 or 1794; for, according to tradition, he was scarcely twenty-one when he married. The land was heavily timbered, but he went to work vigorously, and in the course of a few years had cleared sufficient ground to make an excellent farm of about So acres.
Early in 1797 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Horn, a widow lady with four children. Her maiden name was Conley. They resided on the White Deer farm until 1831, when he sold out and moved to what is now Lime- stone Township, Montour County. x\t that time it was in Columbia County. Here he purchased about 255 acres of choice land, paying about $30 per acre for it. For agricultural purposes this land is unexcelled, and to-day it is worth $200 per acre. He soon afterwards divided his purchase into five farms, and assigned one to each of his children.
During the war of 1812 John McGinness was called on to enter the service,* and he marched to Black Rock, near Buffalo. The haversack which he carried at that time is still preserved and is now in the possession of his granddaughter. Miss Elizabeth Catharine Rank, of Limestone township. His wife died in September, 1S43, aged 71, in Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland
* It will be noticed that John McGinness had six children. His eldest daiiirhter, ^lariraret Ileitsman, ha<l six ; his eldest son, William, liad six; his dau^diter Catharine Rank had six. William Mcliinncss' third Son, William, was in the army. Mar<raret Heitsman's tliird son wa.s in the service, and L'atliariue llank's third son was tliere also, and all had the letter W in their names.
iiuA'i Wjir
o:\
:iii-<
'■ ■T.T.'
■ '■:■.:. .. ■■'! .' ,..:'.-■ ■■. :'.:,-,.■ :- , ■. ' '-,- >;• ■.-;■;'.•■' .r?^«l :■. ■,'■"■>; ""r:'>i- "',.<■ V ■: % ■:''', ••.:i:f .-i.'; ,1'.;'.' : .i^rfo )o
Mlj, ' ■'/ ;,!.;■ ,1 I '.' ' ..■■!' i.j;;t V i.iiill . 1.;::;. 'c M Itw;:;!!' t/. .
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. ^"J
County, whither they had gone to live with their son William, on a farm lying on the river a short distance below the east end of the Lewisburg bridge. She was buried in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg, the site of which is now occupied by a new and elegant church. In a short time after the death of his wife he married, second, Rebecca D. McWilliams, February 27, 1S44. The marriage ceremony was per- formed by Justice of the Peace Schnabel, of Lewisburg. They located in ^NIcEwensville, where he purchased a house and a few lots. There they lived a retired life, and there he died December 14, 1852. He left the fol- lowing will :
I, John McGinness, of the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, farmer, do make and publish this my will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
And first, I direct that my body be decently interred in the bur>'ing ground of the Friends, [Penn Hill,] in Little Britain Township, Lancaster County. Pa., according to the rites and ceremonies of the said church, and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life, and to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with. I dispose of the same as follows:
I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible, out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my executors from any por- tion of my estate, real or personal;
Also, I direct that a fair valuation or appraisement be made by three judicious neighbors of all my said real estate, including my household furniture, and after being signed with their names, that a copy of the same shall be given by them to each of my executors;
And further, I direct that all my personal property shall be sold, if necessary, for the maintenance of my wife Re- becca;
TO
Y>roT<i!ii uxA viDi/i.j ?. r;
:^f:.7/ rn'^"! •;^^'':-''"' t :;;'-'';■'.•'•, : >;{.! 'K' J/irt^ J-;:':i yd; wobd
,:>!il h'V!':':)i ;; ;.'••;;: '■ill; ;^ ''. .>>'! 'V^": J: ■".rl
■ Uh Oil: j"i';i .;H s-',-' '-'■ " ^'■.::.--'^w N:>H) -.w' u
;'.7/ .^"'"'-"^^
fU: fiJi'V ;jif !iirn f>i!j ;^{i!>!i / ■■ ■■' -"yil :iJ^[.-s:Wi! i.'f';: ':r/v '{ftl
jjnr :^;;,;f^u vru! ;|ii// ■;.;iif!>:--»U''^Tf
i:vi>.v] 1;
'> bf-r, <v\;h' -o: vn; ;if
i>:tO'- i'i« :o If.
,r;:: 'r'Hi '
68 - THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. " >
And further, I direct that the whole of my household fur- niture shall be and remain the absolute property of my be- loved wife;
And further, I give and bequeath to my son William Mc- Ginness one silver dollar;
And further, I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza- beth, intermarried with George McGinness, one dollar in silver;
And further, I give and bequeath to tny daughter Catha- rine, intermarried with Joseph Rank, one silver dollar;
And further, I give and bequeath to my grandchildren, John Heitsman, Sarah Heitsman. Ellen Heitsman, James Heitsman and George Heitsman, and also the youngest of my grandchildren, supposed her name to be Elizabeth Ann Heitsman, to each and even,- one named, one dollar each;
And further, I direct that my grandson, John Heitsman, has full power after the decease of my beloved wife to sell and convey all my property, real and personal;
And further, I give and bequeath to John Heitsman, one hundred dollars after the decease of my wife;
And further, I direct that after the decease of my wife, all my effects be equally divided between my grandchildren of my daughter Margaret, intermarried with James Heitsman;
And further, I give and bequeath to the Warrior Run Church fifty dollars, to be paid by my executors after decease of my wife. And I do hereby make and ordain my esteemed neighbor John F. Dentler, and my wife Rebecca McGinness, executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I, John McGinness, the testator, have to this my will, written on one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
JOHN McGinness. [se.\l.]
Witnesses present:
Geo. J. Piper. :
G. W. Armstrong.
.^i>:/ H.^A*/ lO •.Mil//.'? HUT 8d
■yJ. ■/:'■■ •.■'■ ;; : '11) '■';'T . ',r.M<;t(.;.i '.u'j i!;,:.r(iji i,!":j~: v>1 IJ-;:'^ -:>Mi''in
■>{
,ir:I,"i> j'jvl!,' '!(.( ..-;...-(iniO
- . - -'-:•.■.:: . ,;t<.j-0 t^ '"-v h-; ■ . d
; T-j'/lra
i;!!:r:'-"> :u!;!;;iif,!. .i.ri_;; ;';;)ii^ ' : ■■■•i-v 1 . - rA
A- .■.hi').:/ "j.:'-i '-''Ti (.; ;'* ■;-.iH :•. u i.-!;i ■;• ; ;;,: .'•i'^n^i\ hnA
■ •> Jill
u
. ..<,;^ijv/ .MiJ ,^-,jj, , /i[j 7iii:>tr[»-. - :i
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 69
The above will was filed and approved in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Wills, &c., at Sunbury, Pa., January 3, 1853. See Will Book No. 4, pages 319 and 320.
By his first wife he had issue as follows:
i. Margaret, b. November 16, 1798. She m. James Heitsman about 1S18, and had children: John, James, George, Sarah, Ellen and Ann Elizabeth. She d. October 7, 1835, and was buried in Warrior Run Cemeter}-.
a. Jane, b. , iSoo; d. in May, 1838. Unmarried.
Buried in Warrior Run Cemeter}^
ill. Eliza, b. . 1802; m. George S. McGinness, her
first cousin, October 16, 1S30, and d. April 4, 1S74, aged 71 years and six months. Buried in upper Milton Cemetery.
iv. William, b. March 24, 1804; m. Catharine Marshall. of Lj'coming County, August 11, 1S35, and d. January 7, 1877, at Lock Haven, Pa. 22. V. Catharine, b. March 6, 1806; m. Joseph Spotts Rank, of White Deer, September 30, 1830, and d. De- cember 31, 1879. Buried in upper Milton Ceme- tery.
v'l. James Johnston, b. , 1808; d. September 3, 1837;
unm. Buried in Warrior Run Cemetery.
His second wife, Rebecca McWilliams, died June 26, 1870, and was buried in Chillisquaque Church Cemetery. No issue.
No. 6.
MARGARET McGINNESS,' ( James, -^ Samuel, » James, 2 John Brian, ^) b. January 3, 17S9; m. Henry W. Swisher, of Colerain, February 14, 1816; d. April 27, 1862.
pb .VACmjH U'/A YAOIAO TsTl
L
A (-7?. I ,i£, rxJinw
,3 .OW
Ii-T<j/. -h ;djHi ,fr {•lomd'sH
70 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
The ancestors of Mr. Swisher came from Germany towards the close of the last century and settled in Cole- rain. Henry, the subject of this notice, w'as born in Lancaster County, October 2, 1794, and grew to manhood in the neighborhood of his birth. He was raised on a farm, but learned the trade of a weaver, which he fol- lowed for a portion of his tim.e. He was an industrious man and of excellent standing in the community. A few years after his marriage he purchased a farm of George Runner and his wife, which he greatly improved. On this farm the owners had erected a stone house, and a slab or tablet in the gable looking to the east bears this inscription in plain black letters:
BUILT BY
George Runner
AND
Mary Runner I A. D. 1807.
When this building was erected it was looked upon by the neighbors as an extravagant structure, and many came long distances to see it. It was plain in its design but very solidly constructed, and is standing to-day in an excellent state of preservation. Here Mr. Swisher ^, and his wife lived and enjoyed peace and happiness for j^ many years, and here the latter died. The old stone c house, which is regarded as one of the landmarks of the neighborhood, is now (1891) occupied by John Groflf, a ■ son-in-law.
After the death of his wife, "Uncle Henrv' Swisher," as he was familiarly called, went to live with his son » James, who resided near the old homestead, and there he
:rVAy.''.:)r,ir ^o "JiU/.T MHT
o^
■;:7. Hj;! har: lomiuA
f>;^f ■-, JO!
.i'"!^;^^ -:^-j,.[.:l n;;.!-;
" .ti A: yj<i 'J] -:.'.>'^;;;;t',r[> v'
H){
1 1 i' // ?.rn DOS
G ,t?c"rj rrr!o|^ /ci fj^icj/jooo ( !.;".8! ^ v.'du ^r ,ij<jc'.r[-
>f! ';'?9ilJ
>r{ blo 3td}
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 71
died May 13, 1873. ^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^" noted for his quiet and genial disposition, his excellence as a neighbor and friend, his benevolence and sweet Christian temperament. Children (snrname Swisher):
z. Elizabeth, b. March 25, 1817; m. William Hollis, of
Bart, , 1S44. He died in 18S4; she, March 2,
1 89 1. They had issue:
1. Rachel Aim, b. , 1S45; °i- Harry Fer-
guson, and d. in 1873, leaving- an infant son, Henr}' James, who grew to manhood and is unmarried.
2. John, b. 1S46; m. Caroline Boyd and had
three children. While keeping the Green •^ . Tree Tavern, a noted hostelry near
Georgetown, he mysterioush' disappeared on the evening of Nov. II, 1S77, and up to the present time no trace of him has been found. He put his children to bed in the evening, came down stairs, put on his overcoat, told his wife that he was going to visit a neighbor, and that was the la.st ■*■ she saw of him. Search and inquin,- were
■ , made when he failed to return, but no clue
to his whereabouts was ever obtained. Supposing him to be dead, his wife, in the course of a few years, married again, and now resides in Lancaster. His mys- terious disappearance caused much talk and speculation, but no one could give any reason for his strange conduct.
3. William, b. , 1848; m. Margaret Ry-
near. No issue.
4. -Henry, b. , 1850; d. early.
5. James, b. , 1852; m. Lydia Kersyth.
Had two children; d. in infancy.
.••'^mvi'wtj avi. v.iiii'io ?Ti
'i'}i\ri\f.H uctfii;!".t<' '■i-y-'siWdO
■■1 r: \i :\l, -J I J
.;,::: ',■; *.':",.o:-'>{,!n ■-;!.■;■■• "i>';',^T(,)C)0
y,'.! r: ';•:■■' •■■5 i:/-<b\]:^-j <\d }i:q 'Al .'unuo'i .'"A ft',' ..'; .,*jnf.'J> r'";Vui' '.urtirj ,yiiiirJ75
-'■ '-.in ■!0''r:;j' y*: r ^rniv oi
iff b/:yi/ 9d oj xaii! ;?:i!"r.i<'.fq^jjc:
>lf ; 11 i'lv, ;''>«}.JB9 i>
'liOH'^l
y:^ \-j-\v:iiM:^ .'1? ;J^|.P? . A
I
V :>rt ..;a; (u ! i ; ;r.at I tdo <
72 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
6. Margaret, b.' , 1854; m. Nelson Boyd.
Live in Little Britain Township. Have one child. ii. James, b. February 22, 1S20; m. Miss Margaret Eb- erly November 15, 1842. She was b. July 20, 1815. They now live retired on their fine farm in Colerain, surrounded by the comforts of life. No issue. Hi. Rachel, b. February 17, 1S24; m. Washington Swish- er. She d. May 31, 1864, and left i.ssue:
1. James, b. Mar. 20, 1856; m. Louisa Walker.
They have: ist, Rachel Ann, b. Sep- tember 15, 1883, and 2d, Viella L-, b. June 30, 1886. They reside with James . ■ and Margaret Swisher, and carry on the
farm for them.
2. Elizabeth, b. , 1858; m. Clayton Mc-
Cauley. Have five children, one son and four daughters.
3. Henry, b. , i860; m. Hannah Boyd.
Had one child, but it died in infancy.
4. George, b. , 1862; m. Hannah Mc-
Cauley. Have two sons and two daugh- ters. iv. Ann Ellen, b. May 17, 1830; m. John Grofi" Octo- ber 10, 1850. She died Oct. , 1885, leaving
issue:
1. Margaret Elizabeth, b. July 29, 1851.
2. Alice Louisa, b. August 17, 1853; d. Sep-
tember 28, 1863.
3. Jo.seph Henry, b. July 13, 1855; m. Mary
Withers. Have four children, three sons ■ and one daughter. 4.. Mary Jane, b. March 26, 1857; m. Jere- miah Hastings Boyd. Have three sons and three daughters.
C- . . . , .-,
IT! CI'. '^ /iv' ii-y:.'' t:;: ••/;! v/<ir; v .cff .Pio)
• ■ ' ^• •'•-• 1 ■ ■■■: .;:''I' ,d .^^r!IIc{ .1
»' ,,. ■ iiii .: ■ ' ' '.'V.r ,'•>:.■ ;■ \ r,Ant^1 ,..:ni.;. tliiv/ ••.:-:. 'i •••■/■'■ '.'-<■": ,. V, -nijjL •tiii y,v ■,Mri?t b: ;^ ,-'.rif<iv,v-' ; /:■■• :':?^ b^iB
.by.)-' ' ;o.>^: . - . . w.^H .;
-q>c;
.TjJ
.\Nl:
", (HM;. i:: V oy-jou
>; ,c:- ;v.
v-:ac!^.
JMMES S [I/IS HER.
^•\
■■"■^r.
: jnSt '%.v>K
^•■■^
t"'.'-
■*■ v./
^
/
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 73
5. Sarah Joana, b. June 27, i860; m. Vernon
Cummings. Have one son.
6. John Harvey, b. Ma}^ 14, 1863; m. Sarah
Mauch. Have two daughters.
7. Rachel Ann, b. October 21, 1S65; m. Ben-
jamin Myers. Have one daughter.
8. Eleanor Amanda, b. February 2, i860; m.
William Benner. Have one daughter.
9. James Swisher, b. Dec. 28, 187 1. Lives at
home. ,. T Mr. Groflf married, second, Miss Re-
becca Jane Br>'an, of Atglen, Chester ' . County, Pa., December 27, 1887. He was
bom Aug. 28, i82S,.in Strasburg Town- '■• ' ship, Lancaster County, Pa. No issue by
"''* ' the second marriage. They reside on the
Henry Swisher farm, and in the stone house built by George Runner and wife in 1807.
SARAH McGINNESS, ^ (James, ^ Samuel, ^ James, 2 John Brian, ^) b. October 13, 1795, in Colerain Township, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. John Keylor March 18, 1824, and d. September 18, 1865.
Jacob Keylor, father of John, was born in Raumland, on the Rhine, early in the last century. The name was originally written Kuehler in German. He married Ma- ria Gertrude Boehl about 1789. John, their first born. and the head of the family now under consideration, was born in Raumland July 19, 1790. His certificate of baptism is still in existence and is held by his eldest son, Milton. It is dated July 5, 1795, and is signed by "J.
. ;j.'{^wi3b yac ■.' '/:II -to .I/I iiirnr.t .ar r '71 .8
. .•: .^, : ."-j: Ti2d(.,:jj;:;'.l . r.'i .ihv.jiO- 71 j »rj?^i oX_ ..'i'-l .'/?irf;o''j .1 ■•';:''. -1:;.. I, .azrig
.?d8i , .h bnjB
74 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNlS.
E. Heim, minister of Raumland. " His godfathers were John Stenger and Jacob Bonfer.
Some time in 1795, Jacob Knehler, his wife and three children — John, Henry and Katharine* — were indnced, on acconnt of the devastations and tronbles caused b}- war in Germany, to emigrate to America. It took the family one week to travel from their home on the Rhine to Hamburg, where they embarked on shipboard. The voyage was long and perilous, and many times they nar- rowly escaped shipwreck. They also ran out of provis- ions, and it was found necessary, in order to guard against starvation, to put the emigrants on short allow- ance. After braving the tempests and the pangs of hunger, they were finally landed at New Castle, Dela- ware, and made their way to Chester County, Pa., where they were given employment by Richard Baker, who lived on the Brandywine.
Jacob Kuehler died at his home in Chester County in 1816, leaving a widow, two sons, John and Henry, t
* Katliarine was an infant in arms wlion they loft Germany. As they were about to embark, a lady wlio had no children met tlietn and asked for the infant. The mother replied that all the country roundabout would not be an inducement for her to part with her child !
t John Keylor's brother and sisters were as follows : Henry, b. in Raumland, Germany, in 1793; came to America with his parents. He m. Eliza A. Swisher, and died at Nine Points, Pa., July 21, 1875. His wife, Avho was b. September 30, ISOiJ, d. May 7, 1891, at the same place. They had several sons and daughters.
Katharine, the infant whom the mother refused to part with, was b. in Raumland in 179.>. She m. Thomas Mullin December 31, ISKI, and d. in 182(i, in Delaware, and was buried there.
Maria, b. in Pennsylvania in ISOO; ui., first, Henry Bufliniiton,and, secondly, Ix'van Way. She is still (1891) living with her dau^diter, Martha llurford and <iranddauj?hter Annie Hurford, on the old Hur- ford estate, near Atglcn, Chester County, Pa.
. :'!:.■■' V-: ;u >:,,• ,' . ;,'; ■ ;. - 'v ■:a:l ■■! .!■>-/. v^ v'intis^^
-:^:- ■.■■■>'■* ■■.,■■!.(;] ■■:'■- ' ,' :^':^.; ! •: ;: '^n:' -..v/ -.^^JRYOV
■'':■■■: ",o 1;;:v i: ;/.,.-' •, . , : ) ,;-, ..- ■, ,M ,•! - : , ■ -; , ,,-> vIv/OT
>■,•■::,; •)• ?>'">..'^ f^; ,/■!;:■-..:-;■..-?;; hn:';.! ;■■;,;■ ,:- i:?:;:. ,?not .'.:■.•■' ,""■'/-.;' u7r,-ioiA '/'^ i. :'':i. ■-■<',>: JAiii* n:,"!v '^^.'7/ vorfj
' .1.1 •:":; .-.nijai ii«> .-. ; !. ;' > ^mv/ ...
i>;!iri
,),ni' ru-^'''''' !u..'I .'ii?.-)ll )■>.•;,'! 'M -iM!-'..^ n^ ■'■! 'il
.«H ('(lat'fO if*J«uiJ .tnh^iA ijr»n ,•>-
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 75
and three daughters, Katharine, Alariah and Hannah. The mother afterwards went to reside with her son John, and remained with him until her death, which occurred November 16, 1S40, at the age of 82 years, and was buried in the cemetery at Bart Meeting House. In Ger- many the Kuehlers were Presbyterians, but Richard Baker, who took them to his home on the Brandywine — three miles from Marshalton — was a Quaker. He took them with him to Quaker meeting at Bradford, and thus they came to use the language of the Quakers and adopt their plain clothing, and when they died their bodies were interred in Quaker burying grounds.
John, the eldest, when he grew to manhood, settled in Bart, Lancaster County, and soon after his marriage with Sarah McGinness, purchased a farm and engaged in tilling the soil. During the war of 18 12 he was called on to raise a company, wliich he did, but their services were never required. He died November 3, 1872, and was buried by the side of his wife in the Friends Ceme- tery at Bart Meeting House, as both during life had ad- hered to the Quaker faith.
John Kuehler (anglicised Keylor) and wife had chil- dren (surnamed Keylor) as follows:
i. Ann Eliza, b. Januar\' 10, 1825. She married Dan- iel Beyer February 21, 1848, and soon afterwards they removed to Juniata County and located on a farm. Mr. Beyer died September 3, 1875, aged 52 years. They had children as follows:
I. John James, b. Dec. 6, 1850. He married Miss Sadie C. Kinzer, of Juniata Coun-
Hannah, b. in 1S02, in. Nathan Famuiis. Is still (isiil) livin;: with her nephew and .son-in-law, Thomas ^lullin, on a farm near Cedar Croft, Bayard Tavlor's <)ld home, at Kennett S^jnare, Chester Count v, Pa. . ■
l'^ .Y5rOT<iIH a VI A >!fOl«0 8TI
,((jiifjf) TJii iJJni? mlrl dJfv/ r
t/-,. yxyt; >.rj[ri ;)»rv^ j:fj nimti
b'-}ljjii<». , Loo rlrr. •=;[.*( of v/fn^ dJ ff^iiv.* ,J^/;;W-> fjff'j ,ii([o^
li -■jijVf-^iS'' I'-sil; iii.i ,fir-> 'j.i [/''•.'/■}! '/v.ixmiuY.) c, 3--:Xi! oj no
76 THE FA.MILY OF MAGENNIS.
ty — formerly from Lancaster County. She died Jan. 25, 1881, aged 25 years. He is still single.
2. Emma M., b. June 12, 1853.
3. Hannah R., b, Februar\- 18, 1854. After
attending the common schools she took a course at the Juniata County Normal School and became a teacher. Her teach- ing, at inter\'als, extended over a period ~ • of about ten years, when she was obliged
to give up her profession on account of ill health.
4. Sarah M., b. September 22, i860. She
married Davis Baily, and they reside near
\ Thorndale, Chester County. Mr Baily
is a farmer by occupation. They have
one son, Raymond, b. February- 3, 1SS5.
ii. Hannah Mariah, b. August 10, 1S26; m. Effinger H.
Emer}-, of Chester County, March 9, 1854. They
have two sons :
1. John K., b. September 26, 1862.
2. Clement M., b. September 3, 1864.
Both single and live with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Emer>- live on part of the 1 • patrimonial estate in Bart Township, en-
gaged in farming. Hi. Milton, b. June 14, 1S28; m. Rebecca, eldest daugh- ter of Davud Beyer, an extensive farmer of Bart Township, September 13, 1849. She was born February- 17, 1827. They have lived since their marriage on a large and fine farm in Colerain Township, two miles north of Kirkwood. They have issue as follows : ■' I. James Elwood, b. August 21, 1851. He
was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood, at Union High School and
-..^.'W?- ;!!',-: ?.; Mil •r,:' :■:■,-! :^ ■-: ■■; • ■,'n
li ir :.:■ ^ ''^ .!': '■/;■. :^ , ;■■. ,:;. '' ■" -i ■ • ;■ I
'^VJtV'Jt..'
•'■.di iry.ufr byfil v-vfcn <.:;HT .'^s8i ,'ji Yji^inOy-i
■\^;.- :n:
r L
MILTON KEYLOR.
.v*
/
/
/
V^
\
Tj ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. ^^
I the Millersville Nonnal. He engaged in
teaching and followed that profession for
several years. On the 1 3th of April, 1 8S i ,
;r he married Miss Annie C, daughter of
John M. Shenk, Esq., of Quarryville, Pa.
After his marriage he taught school for
b four years. Then feeling impressed that
< . it was his duty to preach the Gospel, he
entered CrozerSeminar>-, ChesterCounty.
• • r Pa., in the fall of 1S85, and graduated in
June, 18S8. He received a call soon after
to become pastor of the Newfield Baptist
Church, N. J., and was ordained as such
;'.• November 7, 1S88, and entered on his
duties. He still remains there. They
have issue :
I. John Milton, b. March 26, 1882. '■:'•■ 2. Rena Frances, b. Dec. 8, 18S4.
2. Anna Mar>', b. April 18, 1S53; m. WilHam Bigler Rynear Jan. 13, 1S76. He was ' • ■ bom in Bart Township, Lancaster Coun- ty, May 31, 1 85 1. They now reside on a farm in Colerain Township. Have children as follows:
1. Rebecca Ada, b. April 27, 1883.
2. Spencer Cleveland, b. May 2, 1887.
. 3. Henry E., b. August 13, 1855. After re- ceiving an education, he studied medi- cine under Dr. Thomas Wentz, of Kirk- wood, and graduated with honor at Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the class of 1878. Dr. -Keylor at once entered on the practice of his profession, * and was getting fairly under way, when he fell ill and died September 30, iS8o. He never married.
K' ■fjid'iiji'ii, ,.D viiinA r^HiW bv'-'f-ar -iff V •;..'r^
i:J■Jl;■;
:ri!oD - [eft -o'j J'-.'"
j./jcII qra«;itv/o'l'
: - n<>yioia ^i:f lo •^TrV-i-T, i.f* n.
78 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
4. Josiah Beyer, b. October 24, 1S57. After finishing the course as taught by the pub- lic schools, and the Union High School, taught by Prof. James W. Andrews, he graduated at Millersville State Normal School in July, 1S79, receiving the degree B. E. After teaching two j-ears 'he re- ceived the degree M. E. He taught school four years, and in 1880 was ap- pointed Principal of MaytowMi High School, which position he resigned in ''•'• 1881 to accept the appointment of Super-
intendent of the public schools of Man- heim borough, Pa. It was his original intention to follow the profession of teach- ing, but after the death of his brother he concluded to adopt the medical profes- sion, and he commenced the study of med- icine under the direction of Dr. George T. Dare, of Oxford, Chester County, Pa., one of the oldest practitioners in that sec- tion of the country. He entered upon his studies in 1882, and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Bal- timore, in 1885. He at once began the practice of his profession at Cochranville, Chester County, Pa., where he has con- tinued with great success ever since. Jo- siah Beyer Keylor, E. M., M. D., is one of the rising young members of the profession in Pennsylvania, and he has already established an excellent reputa- tion as a successful practitioner. He is a member of the English Baptist Church, a Democrat in politics, and single. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F., being a Past Grand of Hebron Lodge
)f{v;>A-
•ryWe I:;"? 's H^iSODCj,; j;
jd c>d biif. ,ir
:'07'fr
III J lo •i-;)Jro->m J'
'f ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. ' 79
■ No. 437, Chester County, Pa.; also of the Masonic Order, being a Master Mason and member of Skerrett Lodge A. Y. M. No. 343, same county. In addition to his studies, he has traveled somewhat ex- tensively, having visited thirteen states J-; v^ of the Union from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, spending seven weeks in Wyoming and Colorado in the sum- jj.j... ;-,,.., mer of 1880, with his brother. Dr. Henr>- E. Key lor. iv. Sarah, b. February' 26, 1830. Married, first, Lewis . ^. H. Selzer, of Steelville, Chester County, Pa., on ^ the ist of October, I S56. Mr. Selzer's occupation ■. ^ was that of a wholesale and retail merchant. He ■ .-, died soon after marriage, leaving one son, Henry
- J W. Selzer, b. March 29, i860. After qualifying J himself, he attended the Union High School one J year, when he engaged in teaching, and taught ^ public school in Juniata County one year. He
- J then returned to his native place, Steelville, where
he was engaged for two years in a general .store. In 18S2 he went to Wilmington, Delaware, where , he secured a clerkship in a retail grocery store, which position he filled for two years, when he married Miss Fannie S. Hambright, of Ferma- nagh Township, Juniata County, formerly of Lan- ' , caster. Pa. Mr. Selzer then conducted a retail grocer>^ store, in Wilmington, on his own account, for three years, when he gave up the business. He then secured employment with the Trump Brothers Machine Company, of Wilmington, where he now holds a responsible position. They have issue:
I. Sarah Elwilda, b. February 4, 1885. 2. Henry Hambright, b. Oc- tober 16, 1886. 3. Leroy Welling- ton, b. July 16, 1889.
p; .Y>10T?.IH a/!/. /lOIHO gTI
\f ' ici 1 ■;•'.; .i;r;(7i dci«
V
■.-■!:! o: . ...
.1.1 "■:. '. >\'.^'> '/MlllOJ Ljri'^li[_ III <.\>Ol\'it :>'■■.
yj} nod',*.' f;.A.y-'A t./7^j r,': Iaji!''! ■.. .; n ■■..!i:J ■.- ,■ -. .... ..
<V'
8o THE FAMILY OK MAGENNIS.
Mrs. Sarah Selzer, his mother, married, second, W. F. McLimans, of Sadsbury Township. Lan- caster County, Pa., November 17, 1S77, and they live at West Grove, Chester County, Pa. By oc- cupation Mr. McLimans is a .stone mason and con- tractor. V. John B., b. December 2, 1831. He learned the trade of a cabinet maker, which he followed for several years. He married Mi.ss Leah Lavinia Ritz, of Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa., January 20, 1858. She was born July 2, 1833. Soon after marriage they located at South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio. There Mr. Keylor died February 10, 1863, leaving one son, Howard R. Keylor, b. October 9, i860. Soon after the death of her hus- band Mrs. Keylor returned to Pennsylvania with her young son. On the 15th of May, 1871, she married, second, George Starrett, of Philadelphia, and they emigrated to Walla Walla, Washington, where she died April 10, 1889, having lived there continuously from October 10, 1871. After receiv- ing sufficient education, Howard R. commenced the study of medicine at the University of Michi- gan, Ann Arbor, in 1878, where he remained two years. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, and graduated in March, 1882, with credit. After graduation he was a resi- dent physician at Bay View Asylum, Baltimore, for nine months, during which time he had an in- ■"'■ teresting experience in that institution. In De- cember, 1882, Dr. Keylor returned to Walla Walla and commenced the practice of his profession, which he has successfully followed ever since. He belongs to the regular school of medicine, and stands high in his community. On the 29th of April, 1889, the Governor appointed him Surgeon General of the Territorial Militia, which position
^> !■' 'i' ■' V ni//-H ••H'i
08
-f'.i,„ ■.('■.•,)■ ,^''." v-u.f "■:':■::'■■ '''•. ,!i,::,.ijf ;,;,'; ' ,'1 ',' yr,' ,)J. ■. r^- ' \; 'r: .;.: ■'. '■. '" . . *-i , ■:";;o'j v."-,;'--
!I0:"' i'i'-: ;t;>.";.;; :j;k/;^: ; ■'■ ■■■: i :■^'.. .-j]". -j)/ i.;..;.-. .: >
. -■' ■ ■.'•V- ( . I '■' ' ' ' , ! '■ .:;■•■ -t j-.i MM T-;;. ■: ■ ',;.:'• i' \: •
' 'T ^. ijnr,- ;i
, » ,r'
Itiq^v i>; ;i; 'j."!''
^--..:tin;^{l .i
-■^■f;i'
r ni;fjf?:','ff'T :)n>i>
^'m:'.'/ r[IcV7.-v; h9n-rii<o-r ;o!^'-^3? .-rG .s^8i ,i-xfnr^
:..u ,9a,;">;bv;i; V,' [;::■'':•■ ■■^.■;;;i;-a Oi(i Oi evrroJXi
.'.'i.-i."',- ilaiiiA- .i:it(i!i/. i/riroliTiaT yrL (;> IbtjmoO
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. Si
he retained until the territorv- was admitted as a state. 'May lo, 1S90, he was appointed a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners, and elected Secretar}-, a position which he still holds. On the 25th of May, 1SS7, he married Miss Sarah Frances Stine, of Walla Walla She is a native , of California, where she was born February 18, 1864. They have issue:
1. Edna, b. March 10, 1888.
2. Leah Frances, b. April 22, 1889. vi. George, b. May 18, 1834. Married, first, Miss Ann
McGinness, of Limestoneville, Montour County, March 27, 1856. They settled on a farm in Cole- rain Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Mrs. Key- lor was born August 27, 1834, and died May 17, 1874, aged 39 years, 8 months and 20 days. Her remains were taken home and interred in the fam- ily lot in the cemetery- at Milton, Pa. She left one son, Henrv- James, b. March 12, 1857. When he grew to manhood, he learned the trade of a saddler, and located at Washingtonville, Montour County, where he carried on business for several years. He married in Danville, Pa., and has two children. George, his father, married, second, Anna Scott, of Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and they now. (i 891) reside in Wilmington. Delaware. They had one son, Bayard, who died young.
vii. Henry, b. April i, 1836. Was raised a farmer, and married Martha Scott, of Colerain Township; b. July 22, 1839. They reside on a farm. Have is- sue:
1. Frank S., b. January 13, 1867.
2. Nannie A., b. November 15, i860. Both
are unm., and live with their parents. via. Wellington, b. June 11, 1838; d. November 10, 1844.
K
.i8 .7,qoT?;in av.A «r-,oiHO ^n
•■:;.-;^ ,' /. .;-■ ■3)
.-:/ ■•-1' ' ■;■;:;,]/; ;;■-! , - I /.-r^: d ,'y;5),, ,.>0 .i^j
.X: ■ ^K- ^. ■'! ■". 1^:ri-;;?A mod <:C'// "lol
'•■Ml! >. --(G-.*/ p- 'I
■i:ii';;;>.M\ , ^'! i i: /■.i:L'J;iiii ' iv>r.7 ji I::.ti..x>] Ix;;. ,i:.;L2>.f;2
■ A ->
I : ) )o Tr
82 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. • •
ANN ROBERTS McGINNESS, ■5( James/ Samuel, ^ James,- John Brian\)b. May 23, iSoi; m. Moses Bryan June 16, 1825; d. September 29, 1S87, at her home at Atglen, Chester County, Pa. and was buried in the ceme- tery of the Presbyterian Church of that place. ;■
Moses Bryan, her husband, was b, in Bucks County, Pa., March 17, 1776; d. December 12, 1839, in Chester County, and was buried in the cemetery of the Presby- terian Church at Oxford, Pa. Although left a widow early, with a large family of children, Mrs. Bryan through pluck, industry and frugality, succeeded in raising them well, and lived to see the survivors all comfortably set- tled in life. Her husband, whom she survived for over forty-eight years, was a miller and stone mason by trade, and an industrious and excellent workman. They had issue (surname Bryan) as follows: •':-.• • • • \! ..
i. Joseph Jackson, b. June 8, 1826. Was raised in Chester and Lancaster Counties, and learned the trade of a millwright. When a young man he set- tled in Philadelphia, where he has continued to follow his trade up to the present time. He m. .-;. Mrs. Elizabeth Kent, of that city. They have children as follows:
1. Garrett Dudbridge.
2. Wesley Rhea. — 'i},; ;;r-''i;/'' :* ' •-• i' . 3. Henr>' Hipson.
They reside with their parents at No. 1007 Stocker street, Philadelphia. ii. Rebecca Jane, b. December 19, 1827; m. John Groff December 27, 1887. His first wife was Ann Ellen Swisher, daughter of Henry Swisher, whose wife was Margaret McGinness. His first and second wives, therefore, were first cousins, their moth-
■our:;- Jli- Hi 5:.>r-.d , /^ Ui:. ,■:■: ,';:;-. ■■,■ I^^.-.M'^ /.o;;,!/.
.■yjul^' ii,.:!' ;t : )'; :' ' iii. n'!J /J--;- ' ' -..liij ,!o yi-ai
fvf.'^7-I
'1 )'J-;0;y
■;■.'■ -r nJA .■:.;:■-■■-/. ii^^n/ .jS'\[' " :r i. .i> jb;:;;
.•-.■, J 'i^^;-'! .','.10 A!^!^.• :■ rr- " : .'. :■,,;■'"■' /:;[•'
.Ui.'r'qt]? y-ifial-I ii ■:o'-'i ,0/1 Jr. a.fsr'^iBq ir.^rf.i rfliv; •?r>'.-'.rJt x^rfT
"u-XiO ^;fio[ .t;j 'V ''^ .'7'- 1 :> *;''■•':':' G ■' .'i!'.i:\ hCi'.^iM'yjfA .v. •'.jV.'d IV.;.. .^B-; -jl'-;. .;,-''' .-in ."•■■: -': r-^4i.;--jy::l\
^.'(•■:,'OL>r; bntt U-'ut ,'.lll .r,::itAU)'\/'
, ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 83
ers being sisters. Mr. Groff and his wife reside on the homestead Swisher farm near Kirkwood, Lan- caster Count}', Pa. No issue.
Hi. John Swisher, b. January 22, 1830; d. June 20, 1853, at St. lyouis, Mo. He was a tailor by trade.
iv. Moses Moore, b. February 10, 1S32; m. Emma S. Malin November 9, 1S65, and they reside at At- glen, Chester County, Pa. He is a carpenter by trade. No issue.
V. Sarah Hastings, b. September 5, 1835. After re- ceiving a preparatory education she attended the Millersville Normal School, near Lancaster, Pa., and qualified herself for teaching in 1859. In 1861 she went to Philadelphia and was appointed a teacher in one of the public schools at Nice town, where she remained several years. She was then promoted and transferred to a school in German- town, where she has /ollowed her profession up to the present time. For over thirty years Miss Bryan has been a successful teacher in Philadel- phia, and as she has been for more than three- fourths of that time employed in one district, as it were, it speaks well for her as a popular and ac- complished educator.
vz. Sidney Ann, b. Feb. 17, 1S38; d. March 11, 1853, in Fulton Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and was buried by the side of her grandfather, James Mc- Ginness, in the Friends' burying ground at Penn Hill.
No. 9.
BENJAMIN McGinn ESS, -5 (James, ^ Samuel, ^ James, -John Brian, ^)b. May 3, 1803, in Colerain Town- ship, Lancaster County, Pa. ; d. April 6, 1870, in San
</■
.V;iOT?.IH Q'/iA VIlDiaO 8TI
.trU^Ar.: «!/. .11
.?:: Cijura;-! .nt sr.^^i .o'l •'i;;!.n<.'j'i .d .viooK i>/:}y.ol/l .\yi
,.i.-'l .-Jvlc^BOfiKj -Tj^-v;; ,i<v'.';I'.'c: u>.'(: :>.■>!
;:v/oJ::>li.iX Jii ft!(.M'JiI:,j.c OJi^';r(.j :rd' >«.- ;^:j'.> {!l }^il }i.'A
ci qi; Ji.n.'i^fetjrfaij ".-'i! !»j7/,.,;'o'^.-:na jri.; ;)■;■■:> (W .iv/fOi
u,,AJ 0",oi<: roi !:j:'.i.< ^ri"! -r^r.,:
'XJ
urtj i
:■: 3- ,L. u7..;/-.
84 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. i
Bernardino, California, and was buried in the old Ceme- tery at that place. It has since been destroyed by the march of improvement. He married, first, Miss Sarah Johnston, of Colerain, about 1826. She was born May
, 1801; d. November , 1849, ^^ Council Bluffs,
Iowa, and was buried in a private lot which lies a quar- ter of a mile east of the great Union Pacific railroad station at that place. His second wife, whom he mar- ried soon after the death of his first, was Mrs. Mercy Ann Mace. She was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and as a widow had emigrated west with her parents in 1843. She d. at San Bernardino, California, April 17, 1878.
Benjamin ]\IcGinness was brought up on a farm, and was an industrious and hard working man. He received such an education as could be obtained at that time in the schools which were taught on the subscription plan. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Ohio, taking their eldest son, who was very small, with them. They stopped a short time with relatives on their way, when they proceeded to Zanesville. Here a short stop was made for the purpose of seeking a place to settle. They did not like the country, and without unloading their goods, soon started on the return trip to Pennsyl- vania, where they arrived about 1830. After looking about for a short time, he rented a large farm lying in Bart Township, Lancaster County, from Christian Haus- er, and occupied it. The land was thin and greatly run down, requiring much hard work to make it productive. He started in with a will, however, and was so encour- aged that in 1S38 he purchased the farm of over 200 acres on easy terms.
Soon after this, certain parties projected a public road to run from the mill of Slater Brown, in Little Britain
.-^I >':<:■? VI.: 'fO ;J>i.^A-i HHT ^8
.■ ii.'J J:--. .;-i,'"if ( :v''l/':'V' /<)/l ,b :!<.:''''•-, ,— ^---
,■■;-.(': :jm ='.'-':iv,' .m^!-,". [■■■ ■■ •■ : i i .yo;.-iq j^''.! ;j: coi^Aia ■r'^'it:!/ .;-';i'. ^(. ' ' -'■' ' ■ :,'t..>h •'"•1 :-:..•:.; aoah btjn
,,■:/! ."/vHr./'- ■''v ■■■.:. m.^.^ " • -, ;;.,:■■ .:.;•',-.' ^;''- ,:.-.)jo^ nnA 51' ■:.;:■">::.:'); ^"^ii ' ■ '■■■•/ '■■ <'m. - ^ ^ ■ '.-•':[■.>/' ;.,;;*(: T^ts
1;. •.'■';;:;■■■.;' ^j ' -^wr'. '<. ■•.^■V' .■: ''1 nfi rlairti
.-jI;''-: o) y:?£!q ;"; ■;..:.;•';■.;> :•> .j^'^' :,.•'. q ■-.. ■;Mf'.! .oi;i!_i ;;/'«/':;// L.;:.; ■: ;■.:):> v'f.' ''Ail ioi; rn- t- '■! ''?*■! 01 <'|'ij i':;j.!:-'i 0/1.1 !,v' h.3';7;jr- j;i.)<:^, ,r:i>Ou;g liyril
:„.,,ir ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 85
Township, to the warehouse of William Noble, on the railroad, a few miles below what is now Christiana. Tlie survey for the road ran diagonally through many farms, badly cutting up the improved fields, and greatly annoy- ing the owners. The road, which is known to this day as the "Noble Road," seriously damaged the farm of McGinness. He took an active part in opposition to the proposed thoroughfare, but failed to stop it from being run diagonally across his best fields. Brown, who had flour to deliver to Noble's warehouse, was an influ- ential man, and with the assistance of Noble and others, succeeded in baffling all opposition to his pet scheme, and the road was ordered to be laid out. And to this day persons traveling over it, notice how the fields on many farms are disfigured. It swept through the Swisher and other farms, played zigzag at " Coulter's Corners," and after ruining the McGinness farm, came out at what is now known as the "Nine Points." • .,.; •. '
The adoption of this so-called improvement was the turning point in the life of Benjamin McGinness. Dis- heartened and chagrined at the triumph of the party engaged in the enterprise, he lost all ambition to make further improvements, and finally decided to sell out and leave the country. This he did by piece meal, and in May, 1843, in company with several other parties, started with their families in wagons overland, for Illi- nois. They arrived at a point near Nauvoo, Hancock County, July 23, 1843, ^"^ halted there with the view of purchasing land. Here, in a short time, misfortune over- took him again, by his falling into the clutches of land sharks. They sold him land for which they could give no valid title, and the real owners appearing in a short time, took steps to dispossess him.
The majority of the settlers who had squatted in and
■)T^1J' rv!A. ''1v>;;K; ^Tl
.• i' -T i> ,■• .1 ^^ „< ;■ • .••
■ •,. '< -:,'■' '; Mli in
-.--;• .--M, :)';!/ :iji,;> -■:^.'. ';.• '.■;:; 3ril rv \si
;-l-j(Ofi;,H ,oovubK itrin Jinorr i: 7n bs Ti^a yyrfT .aioc
nnc ti:
86 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. •
around Nauvoo, were finally driven over the Missis- sippi by a mob, and they took up their weary march across the prairies of Iowa for Council Bluffs. Here iMcGinness and his family arrived in due time, and here they remained for two years. Still impressed with the idea of moving westward across the plains, he pushed on to Salt Lake, where he arrived about 1S55. A short time was spent in this new settlement, when he pushed on to Lower California, and finally brought up at San Bernardino. This was about 1S5S. Here they found an arid country, but the climate was all that could be desired, and here he decided to settle.
In 1867 he started on a visit to his old home and friends in Pennsylvania. He traveled overland by wag- on until he met the Union Pacific Railroad, near Chey- enne, when he was enabled to move more swiftly. He got through safely, and spent the fall and winter among his friends, returning home in the early spring of 1S69. Being broken down in health from the long journey and exposure on the plains, he never fully recovered, and died in April, as already stated. How appropriate the words :
" My way has wnund around the desert years,
Afid cares infest My path, and through the flowing of hot tears ^ I pine — forrest."
He had children by his first wife as follows:
11. I. John Franklin, b. July 16, 1827; m. Martha J. King,
of Lycoming County, Pa., October 25, 1S49. Re- sides at Williamsport.
ii. Ann Elizabeth, b. , 1829; d. at the age of seven
months of whooping cough.
12. Hi. Mar\' Jane, b. January 11, 1831; m. George Laub
January 6, 1846; d. at St. George, Utah, Novem- ber 28, 1872.
-.!;'■/ -i: >.' ■-'
.•i.rr
d'6
'■---! <,3 no i o:t ijQ
.]. -j-i/; i. K
J:.il \ -(-i
•-urii'iU /.
■' -S'
.1. .;k»'; >/:;;(.: ■ ^...
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 87
13. iv. Samuel, b. July 3, 1832; m. Martha Ann Coudit
June 15, 1S57, and resides at San Jose, California.
14. V. William Har\'ey, b. April 21, 1834; m. Sarah Nixon
July 4, 1S61, and resides at Summerland, Califor- nia.
15. vi. Johnston, b. December 10, 1S36; m., first, Marj- Ann
Adare, in Beaver County, Utah, July 12, 1S67, who d. August 12, 1S70; m., second, Melissa J. Cafiferty September 13, 1S78, of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Resides at Missouri Valley, Iowa.
16. vii. Joseph B., b. April 21, 1S38; m. Mary J. Debolt
June 22, 1858. Resides at Weston, Iowa.
17. via. Benjamin, b. October 13, 1S40; m. Hannah Braden
September 7, rS6i. He d. December 9, iSSS, of cancer on the lip. The widow and children reside on the homestead farm in Hazel Dell Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
ix. Sarah Elizabeth, b. , 1842; d. , 1848, at
Council Bluffs.
X. Lorenzo Snow, b. , 1844; d. aged six months.
xi. Margaret Ann, b. , 1846; d. aged one year.
By the second marriage he had the following chil- dren:
i. Ann Elizabeth, b. January- 31, 1849; m.
Smith December 24, 1868. He is deceased.
Mrs. Smith lives at Santa Ana, Orange Count}',
California. She has five children. a. James Madison, b. April 6, 1851. He married in
San Bernardino July 1S74, and is supposed to be
living in Oregon or Washington. tit. Cornelius Voorish, b.. March 4, 1853, and lives at
San Bernardino. Unmarried. IV. Rachel Julia, b. February' 4, 1855, at Salt Lake; m.,
first, Kelley December 2, 1869. He died at
^8 ./••lOTaill <1/1A .CIOIHO riTI
..BJn
'.)'.: "■■■^'7 ' ' ■\.
■' I , i. i : :'/
■ •■-;.7n .('■•;:■■; '^ .•' ^ iJ'^ .^M ^^.l-^y/' .tvvf ^t
')
.f_, ;of-<»t .i;- vi.'jf'iirT ,o .rjt3'fc!x:.'7l sink ,\ -
*£■ «--37;I bfj» ,rr,8t J. n -.iii/-
88 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. • "^►^
West Barnet, Vermont. Married, second,
Sebastian, at Los Angeles, May 9, 1S8S. Had five children, three by the first, and two by the second marriage. Resides at Ferris, San Diego County, California.
V. Harrietta Amanda, b. , 1857; d. in infancy.
vi. I>wis Marion, b. August 16, 1S59; d. Januar}- 12, 18S7, at San Bernardino. Unmarried.
vii. Mary Emeline, b. November 20, i860; m. Baum
at lyOS Angeles.
viji. Louisa, b. , 1862; d. in infancy.
No. 10.
GEORGE SHED McGINNESS,^ (James,-* Sam- uel,^ James, - John Brian, ^)b. April 18, 1S06; m. Eliza McGiuness, his first cousin, October 16, 1830; d. Jan- uary 25, 1854. His wife died April 4, 1874, aged 72 years. Both are buried in the upper cemetery at ^lil- ton, Northumberland County, Pa.
George S. McGinness* was born in Colerain, Lancas- ter County, Pa., and was the sixth and youngest child of James McGinness, Esq., and Ann Fordham, whose sketch is No. i in this pedigree. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits in his native county. When quite a young man, he made a visit to his uncle, John McGin- ness, a younger brother of ■ .is father, who lived in White Deer Valley, Union County, Pa., and carried on farming on an extensive scale. He became a member of the family of his uncle, and in course of time married his
* John Fordham and Eliseba Shed, according to the rej.d.ster of the Swedes Church, Philadelphia, were married February 27, 1758. Their daughter, Ann Fordham, wa.s the mother of George S. McGinness, and hirf middle name was given to him in honor of his grandmother, Eliseba Shed.
>.\'.'.A'fif)f.ir. 'iO YJIKA7 HHT
■jsh yd (yirS hnt, Ji^irt -jtlt vd ar
..YlM:!,r-i;!;; si, L- -r^^'i ,- .0 ,ciiit>:n'3A iii^ehtuli .*J
.01 o>T
i^oK^rv ,;.!.,tiL";(vi ffaf. ^:7b ,.Dr:H -V'.i-/t;0:/K ?0.
-D
:fn 10
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. (.S^ • 89
eldest daughter, Eliza, who was his first cousin. The union was a happy one. When the father sold his farm in Union County, and purchased a large tract of rich limestone laud in what was then Columbia County, Pa., (now Montour) the young couple went with him. A farm was set aside for the daughter in her own right, and there they lived and died.
The death of George S. McGinness was peculiarly sad. In the winter of 1854, as was his custom, he made a visit to his relatives in Colerain, the place of his nativ- ity, and in due time he started for home. The railroad was not running at that time above Harrisburg, and he traveled by stage coach. Everything went well until the evening of the 24th of January. At that time they reached a wayside inn on the public road a few hundred yards north of the mouth of Chillisquaque Creek, North- umberland County, Pa. The night was frosty and cold. When the driver of the stage reached the inn he stopped and, leaving his horses untied, went inside. He had been gone but a few minutes when the team took fright and ran rapidly up the road. George S. McGinness, his nephew, George ]\I. Keylor, and a stranger, were the only passengers in the coach. . Finding that the horses were on a full run, and being of a nervous, excitable temperament, McGinness opened the coach door in the side and jumped out. He was thrown violently, strik- ing the back of his head on the frozen ground, which caused concussion of the brain. He was picked up in- sensible and carried into the hotel, where he laid in that condition for sixteen hours, when he died on the after- noon of the 25th of January, 1854. His nephew jumped out, but sustained no injury. He was followed by the stranger, who was slightly injured. The team ran but a short distance, when they came to a standstill. Had
q'6 ' :j:iorr\}B ay.* kioi^io ?:n
') .'^■j'ib I nil. hsvtl {-jiiJ i>-"3iO bna
' • ■ .1/ :-.
,.■. 1;;..;. .,V' '■•"!'ii"'5J^^^ - '■'-'■ •f'i.J --!-^ ^>.. ;^- ' '■' • ■••/
t'j/ij; [[■:>/! :ir:^"; ■^'■'^ih . T-;v,:i .il'^fa-io f})>i-,l^ >■:{ b'^l-^'^eti
^iJi/tu -iL'vJj '.]:r.ji ■^'.'.. ifo-- . ',';:':::; /.-s* .n Jnd ono^ nd^
• /I 'j;': jr,fr' -^ rri;;;::'] ',;,<)"; •^jflf i
iJ no
b^ib Off nsffv,' .Piuoif
1. .ivj)-!iJi_nj \'i
QO THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ■/'
the passengers remained quietly in their seats, no bad effects would have resulted. A prominent physician was called as soon as possible, but finding the injured man in a paralyzed and insensible condition, he saw at once that death was inevitable. His nephew remained by his side until death came to his relief, when he ac- companied the body home. In the meantime the sad news had preceded them, and the family, which was overwhelmed with grief, was som.ewhat prepared to re- ceive them. His widow survived him twenty years. They had issue:
" i. Mar>^ Nesbit, b. May lo, 1832; d. February 11, 1S90. Unm. ii. Ann E., b. August 27, 1834; d. May 17, 1874. She m. George M. Keylor March 27, 1856. He was her full cousin — her father and Keylor' s mother being brother and sister — and was with her father when he was killed by jumping out of the runa- way stage coach. When she died at her home in Lancaster county, Pa., her remains were brought back and laid in the family lot, in the cemetery, at Milton. She left one son, named Henr>^ James Keylor, b. March 12, 1857. m. James Dougal, b. November 30, 1836; d. November 19, 1888. He married Miss Caroline Oaks Decem- ber 22, 1859. She is descended from an old and prominent family of Northumberland County, her father. Judge Oaks, being a representative man during his lifetime. General Oaks, of the United States army, is an elder brother. She sur\'ives her husband. They had issue:
I. Ada Gertrude, b. September 22, i860; m. Samuel D. Artman, and they reside in Milton, Pa. They have two children: Homer McKnight and Grace.
.;',j/y.30.Mi -lo 'fjiir.A-i mht
!.):, T/iiiM :m1j -yrjlbsKi j:;ri ,0' jr<^;^'ja -:.;: rioc?: ?s, bafiiiO aew
- :;. 'ijfi r-;>rf-// ,._iii>: i!:' -J j;;i.,? '''1.. !t3nn ..r"'- -;rrl 7ff
,'. ;,• '/-■ ■ ■ -.U ■>;: ,': ..Ml/ .-J/m;
.v:r'-. ' ■,;,;! Y3HT
. , i.,r(- -,
'■m:;*'!
rr.
i>:
■-■.'}'■
" .xl:
1 M,-r Ij' Ditil . . ..-..,,J
-1 ,n.''- •.-.Do fi'j! ^ifcf, aK>jIiW
"•k1 .\V*.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
91
2.
Harn' Hamlin, b. December 14, 1S61; ra. Maggie Cora HofFa February 24, 18S5. She was b. December 31, 1866. They have had issue:
I. Carrie Oaks, b. April 19; d. Feb- ruary 14, 1889. 2. Samuel Hoffa, b. April 25, 1888. 3. James Louis, b. December 31, 1890.
Anna Bell, b. December 12, 1863; m. Ed- ward Zellers, and they reside in Lewis- burg, Pa. They have two sons, Harr}' and James; the latter was b. January 10, 1886.
George S., b. February- 23, 1865. Is a tel- egraph operator in the service of the Phil- adelphia and Reading Railroad at Tama- qua.
Samuel Oaks, b. July 12, 1867.
Ella Mar}', b. February 18, 1872. '•
Charles Dougal, b. October 10, 1S76.
Eliza Caroline, b. November 19, 187S.
Florence Celeste, b. , 1880; died Au- gust, , 1882, aged one year and nine
months.
No. 11.
JOHN FRANKLIN MEGINNESS,'^ (Benjamin, ^ James,-* Sarauel,^ James, - John Brian, i) b. July 16, 1S27, in Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa. [Here it will be no- ticed the spelling of this name has been anglicised in another form].
He received his education in the common schools of the time, and among his last teachers he is proud to ac-
•rf^'-T Ai\cji Ihq/. ..i ,>:v^i ) -^i ; ir^C- .1
-'. .£ .(..'ri^. I ,4.1 vTurn
.0(j>:ll .V 'J'^ii-i.-XiG
■.I r. i''
■/-« rr-.v •-=.','■ ff <» .w_-»ri-vrV
.^fJJHj ,s: I viu[ .d ,;;-:^
^: : T. t
■!;];iom
tl .aVi
•l>fc. i^j
92 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ,,
knowledge Mr. J. M. W. Geist, the veteran editor of the Lancaster A^ew Era^ as one of the best, and from whom he derived information which proved of great advantage to him in after life. ,.; ; ..i ■; ..-^s - -^ti , . ■ ,' 'j • ;; ;
When a ver>' small boy, his father and mother emi- grated to Ohio and tarried for a short time at Zanesville, but not being favorably impressed with the country, they 'returned to Pennsylvania without having unloaded their goods from the light wagon in which they traveled. About 1832 his father settled on a farm in Bart Town- ship, Lancaster County, which he soon afterwards pur- chased. He worked hard, and was getting along finelv until about 1841, when a public road was projected through his farm, [for a fuller account of the trouble which arose, see sketch of Benjamin McGinness], which caused him to become greatly disheartened, and he sold out for the purpose of going west again. Accordingly, in May, 1843, ^^ started with his family for Illinois in a wagon and carriage, in company with several other families. They traveled overland, passing through Co- lumbia, Gettysburg, Bedford, Brownsville, Washington and Wheeling, where they crossed the Ohio river. The National Road was then followed to Columbus and In- dianapolis, when they diverged from the western route and bore away for Hancock County, Illinois, where they arrived the 23d of July, 1843. All was bustle and ex- citement in the new settlement at that time. Specu- lators were busilv engaged in selling land to the new- comers, and many were led into purchasing land for which bad titles were given. McGinness was one of the emigrants thus deceived.
The subject of this sketch, then about sixteen years of age, not liking the appearance of things in the new settlement, resolved to leave and make his way back to
se
' :■ . ^ i;;^':.i f-fu; Vi>!f vii' lo ::;(;u r;;:. ,i- ''"^ x'j.jiii.vi'/. i;;.'!';;^, lo i^')/<jiv; ii'.>;f[v/ co;.!/:!'; ; 'm. ;.'•
■';:■ 'on/. ;•' . ' ■. _,] -::ii'; Tad !<'/:; Srui i^rn!.) -I;J .■(;0'.I if-rn;-. vt.j- s i;-" '"""
.' .'' ' .m:M; ;r'';; ;!•/</ ' ' !.• ' ; ot h^;' ■'"■'
' ■ - ' !: ■:■■■■* ; ,ni7r,l ,.' ■■ ■ .. . :'. \^-:A',-A?. '^^c ,■:
•'•4 .ij. ;;;;'! i;;' ri^r / i. - ^
-ill bf:r> iiLxi i(;;jk/J
-^i -..-jX^ ,-'f.V,- [;£;ny:i ijiHOlJcVI
•x!?» brrs s'lanc: a;^^/ IJA .ri.-U ,vlrrl k) bf£ orfi
•^iij i(.) 3 no j^ftv/- gi?'
tij jj;»A( <As/f --rii tjitiirH x'li
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 93
his native place. He told his mother of his intention, and bidding her adieu one afternoon in October, 1843, started out to seek his fortune in the world. He never saw her again! The parting was a sad one; and the only pang of regret he ever experienced was leaving that sainted mother, who was destined to die, through neg- lect and suffering, seven years later, at Council Bjuffs, and be buried in a lonely grave, which has long since been obliterated.
" Sleep sweetly; tender heart, in peace 1 Sleep, holy spirit, blessed soul, ' ' " '
While the stars burn, the moons increase. And the great ages onward roll."
Taking a steamboat at Warsaw, Illinois, the young adventurer made his way to St. Louis, where he spent a few days. He then secured light employment on another boat and made a voyage to New Orleans, where he re- mained a short time. This journey was full of novelty, and all the points of interest at that early day on the great river attracted his attention. There was no other means of traveling, and hundreds of passengers were passing up and down all the time. Many of the boats were large and fine, and did a heavy business. After making two or three trips up and down the river, he abandoned it at Cairo, and made his way to Cincinnati, where he followed the White Water Canal, then partly finished, to a point in Wayne County, Indiana, where he met an uncle and remained with him over winter. Early in the spring of 1844 he returned to Cincinnati, where he embarked on a steamboat for Wheeling. Leaving the boat at this place, he followed the turnpike on foot, crossed the Allegheny mountains and landed at Cham- bersburg, footsore, weary and almost out of money. The Cumberland Valley railroad at this time had been
■.. . ,;.■"' cLiul ■'■.j'\lv- ,"/(/-;:; ■[''-■'■'■ '^ ''" ^''^ii'i'-' 'y' i^nc
.bj^;.' "J'l'io -ij-wi
■,:--^ !^ .V'-, -•-*. ^/'i. -..:!ji.iiA
•?•:! t>'"::i-'!v/ .trcBfJioi .vjnuo'J '^u-f^yi tti 3n:cKj jk oj
:f!!/«^J .-Sj::::::;!!'// -JOi !;■ ■-. no
. ;n to iiso y«)'i:lii bnn 7j
94 , THE, FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. )i
opened through to Harrisburg. Taking the cars, the youthful traveler met a friend in Conductor Hamilton, who, after asking him soifte questions, said: "I knew your father; I will not charge you any fare, but accept a half dollar to help you along to the home of your friends!" The kind act of Mr. Hamilton has always lingered fresh in the memory of the recipient, although forty-seven winters have come and gone.
In a few days he found himself among his relatives, and was kindly received by them. A new condition now presented itself, and he prepared to meet it. The winter of 1845, therefore, was spent in school, and by industry, perseverance and a determination to succeed, he made commendable progress in his studies. On returning from school the subsequent spring, he resolved to visit rela- tives in Northumberland County, where he arrived in due time. There were no railroads up the river at that time, and traveling had to be made by stage and canal packet
After a short visit with his friends, he took up his residence in Danville, Pa., and in a short time found em- ployment as a laborer in the Montour Iron Works, which had been just started on an extensive scale for that time.
The war with Mexico having broken out, there was a great excitement in the country, and military enthusi- asm ran high. Like many other young men, he became impressed with the idea of entering the military service. The volunteer ranks being full, he enlisted at Danville April 9th, 1847, "to serve during the war" in the regu- lar army. This enlistment was made under the provis- ions of what was known as the "ten regiment bill." Congress had just passed a law authorizing the raising of ten regiments to serve during the war. Captain Ran- dolph B. ^Nlarcy, then commanding Company D, Fifth
.ai"/./.30Al/. 'JO YJIWAH.aUT
v/iHii ]■■ r>ifi^ .srro.'.ig'birp jrtio^': /iinv ^ri!.-; i, :■.
7n :>♦
I't iiirl fiJiv.' .^-^iv 2n.,i{-<. £
Jc;i) su) ijjfi??: -^v j^rr.;j/.:j an iio bvtTiiJ^ igu|_ XT:j'jd hsfi
eibfio! ^sw
iiji*. i ,«
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 95
U. S. Infantry, was detailed on recruiting service, and stationed at Harrisburg, Pa. From this point he sent recruiting officers to different towns up and down the river.
After spending a few days at Danville with x\lfred F. Carroll, the officer in charge of the station, Meginness was placed on board the canal packet and ordered to pro- ceed to Harrisburg and report to Captain Marcy. He did as directed. Captain Alarcy, who was a tall, mili- tary looking man, exceedingly polite and genial, received him kindly as a recruit. Being in need of a clerk, and noticing that ^leginness was a good penman, the Cap- tain detailed him to remain in his office for that pur- pose. The position was a very pleasant one, although the pay was only eight dollars a month, with clothing and rations. The children of Captain Marcy frequently visited the office, and the young clerk soon became greatly attached to them. One of them, a bright little girl, with fine curling ringlets, afterwards became the wife of Gen. George B. 2vIcClellaud.
In a few weeks Captain Marcy received orders to break up the recruiting station and repair to New York for the purpose of sailing for Mexico to rejoin his regiment. The order was promptly obeyed, and on the 15th of June, 1847, the members of the station, including the clerk, were landed on Governor's Island, New York harbor, and soon afterwards drafted into Company D, Fifth U. S. Infantry, which had been greatly reduced by field service in Mexico. The company was at once organized, and was momentarily expected to go on board ship, when one day, much to the surprise of the young men who had been with him at Harrisburg, the Captain came over to the Island, and sending for four of the young recruits, said to them: " Boys, I am not going to
l.»-f^od f:ii c;.; ;^i 1.h*':.,'\/ • ' ' ■ :y:t:--{-^_,r: .'/.>/ bar; ,;,'v^fnt:;§lD
96 • THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
Mexico with you, as I expected. iNTy orders have been countermanded, and I am going back on recruiting ser- vice. If you would like to remain with me, I will have you detailed. If you prefer to go to Mexico and join the regiment, it is all right. Make your choice!" The boys "held a council of war," when they decided to go out and fight the enemy, and so reported to the Captain, who warmly bade them good bye, and wishing them good luck in the role of soldiers, returned to the city.
Three companies, (D of the Fifth, and H and K of the Fourth Infantry,) were taken aboard the ship Vir- ginian on the 19th of June, 1847, which immediately sailed for V^era Cruz, Mexico. There were about 270 soldiers, and they were as comfortably provided for as could be expected on a transport.
Lieut. Ridgely had charge of Company D. The voy- age was uneventful. After being at sea a few days Lieut. Ridgely sent for Meginness, and producing a letter from Capt. Marcy, said: "He recommends you- highly as a clerk, and as I am in need of one to open the company books, you will go to work at once and write them up. Yon can have an oflfice in the cabin near my room."
The surprise of the recruit was great, but as the ap- pointment carried with it greater privileges than those usually enjoyed by the common soldier, he quickly ac- cepted, and to the close of the war filled the position, and by virtue of his appointment was often excused from hard military service.
Thirty years afterwards he called on General Marcy, then Inspector General of the U. S. Army, stationed at the War Department, Washington City,, and thanked him warmly for the kind act. The General was then very gray and quite deaf, but the mention of the circumstance revived his memory, and he was delighted to meet his
M
■;-- /! ..:..■ ^; h:ry. .rlMf"! ;-!• ,.. ■ : , ■ ■^\: ..' ^nvy., loi/iT
.^:^'.. ■:;!■.! .i:. '^-^T -ill " rb-ae
. ; .■ . • .^ ; ;:;•; /■ u. .-. o'f/ <.:' ' '
■ -;p _.. ..,.- . . , ' -'■■
xifv./ii r>-j;vri:jz-ji ii-i?f)o ?.i>v/ In'^nitnioqqK am /•.- -^imiv v<i one
--'f
nvj ^dH to :r .;rri;;;fi; 5/; " J;;0 /ii^-j!' jjjiu;
w;; j.>t:'ii; oJ b^Jrl v^iiab ;iiij(?' 5rl hjijB
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 97
old clerk. "Why," said the veteran, "I had entirely lost track of you, but I succeeded in getting positions in the army for several of the other boys. I am delighted to meet you." An hour was then pleasantly spent with the General, who recounted his services on the plains fight- ing the Indians and making surveys, long before the breaking out of the rebellion. On taking his leave the General pressed him to call again and talk over old times; but the opportunity never came, and that was the first and last visit to the father-in-law of the once popular commander of the Army of the Potomac.
The good ship Virginian, bearing the enthusiastic young soldiers, sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz on the morning of July 20, 1847, ^^^ on the 21st they dis- embarked and went into camp on the sandy beach a short distance north of the city. More vessels soon ar- rived wath recruits, and when they were landed the en- campment was found to consist of about 1000 men.
Major Lally, a volunteer officer from Maine, was given command of the detachment, and on the afternoon of the 6th of August, 1847, ^^^ march inland w^as commenced, but owing to the depth of the sand only a few miles were made, when a stop for the night was ordered.
It was desirable to push re-enforcements through to General Scott, who was then preparing to make his de- scent into the Valley of Mexico. Major Lally's com- mand consisted of about one thousand men. The road was infested by clouds of guerillas, who had fallen back in rear of Scott's army for the purpose of harassing whatever re-enforcements might be on the march, and to capture supply trains if possible. Lally's command had only been out two days when guerrillas attacked it on the flank, and were constantly hovering in the front and rear. The first fight of any consequence occurred at the
M
•/.HOT •■;)>; av.j.
o:
/.^■;:i vn; <;iiw ,_>;!, .:..j i^\>yj[;
f-. i':,i.::;d /Iui» 'irfj .'TO qffi/rj o)r'i J..
f^
bt^i'sino -^/iv/ 3n3>;a snj loi
98 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
National Bridge on the 12th of August. The bridge was obstructed and the heights were covered with armed men. The battle lasted several hours, and a number of men were killed and wounded, when the bridge was car- ried, and the enemy fled. The next morning eight or nine wagons were burned to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy, and the march towards the old battle ground of Cerro Gordo was resumed. Here the guerrillas had made a stand and stubbornly disputed the passage of Lally. A brisk engagement followed on Sunday, August i6th, but when three companies were deployed to gain the rear, the Mexicans fled. Company D was in this charging party, which dashed over the old breast works that had been thrown up by Santa Anna. In this charge several men were killed. Meginness nar- rowly escaped, a Mexican musket ball passing between his right arm and body.
The command continued to hold the battle field of Cerro Gordo until the morning of the 19th. This was done for the purpose of enabling the wagon trains to pass the defiles in safety and proceed to the front in the open plain, where they could not be molested by the enemy. When the infantry moved, they only proceeded about seven miles, when a halt was ordered at one of Santa Anna's country residences, called Encerro. It was a very pretty place, and that night ( August 19th ) Meginness and two or three comrades had the honor of sleeping in the house of Santa Anna. They wrapped their army blankets around them, and using their knapsacks for pil- lows, reposed on the brick floor of the mansion. All the furniture had been removed, of course, and this was the best that could be done, but the honor of resting there over night more than compensated for the discomfort.
On the morning of the 20th the march on Jalapa was resumed. Owing to the heat and labor of march-
'.■^ '-->riT .J<';;;^uA V> rfjii :vpj ;io r-i'^^brAi
' 1 '''■-•■
■ ■ : : : -.r i
. f:' 'if ['fro :n Ti
[!-,no f^flj n: Of i .'r). '-'^i ririB -Jl^yla- ur
Ktni.cl io 3no ii;, ^t»t;Fn;.> <^r;;.' •;i.:r: i; ri^nw ,£:jli£n il5V»R
(^ riV> do Ik III 9f{j
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 99
ing, and the vigilance required to guard against attacks, many men became ill. Near the gates of Jalapa another attack was made on the command, and brisk firing was kept up for an hour or two. Here Alaj. Lally received a slight wound in the neck, and the command devolved on Capt. E. R. S. Canby, who was going up to rejoin his company with Scott. This was the same Canby who, years afterwards, was treacherously killed by the Modocs in the lava beds. The wounding of Lally caused a de- tention, and it was after dark when the detachment reached the gates of the city. Owing to the darkness, and the uncertainty of the strength of the enemy, it was deemed best not to attempt an entrance into the city until next morning, and the men were ordered to lie upon their arms. A great noise, accompanied by the ringing of church bells, was kept up all night, and an attack was momentarily expected. When day dawned everybody breathed more freely. A deputation of citizens, headed by the Alcalde, came out and invited Captain Canby to enter the city, stating that the mob of guerril- las which held the place during the night had fled. The troops at once marched in, and were assigned to quarters. This was on the morning of August 21, 1847. ^"^^ ^^^ stock of provisions had grown low on account of the de- tention on the way, and sickness was rapidly increasing, less than one half of the command was fit for duty. It became necessary, therefore, for the detachment to re- main here to recruit.
Here ]Meginness became very ill, and for several days his life was. despaired of, but owing to the careful atten- tion of the doctor he recovered.
While detained here, the city of Mexico was captured by Scott, and the detachment was prevented from par- ticipating in the closing glories of the campaign.
'■•'v/;f>-)vT \ :IhJ. .!/..:•■; i:-;:.';' .•'.'•• ir. itit^fj jij. ■(■:'; <•;/ jqa:^!
: v.. ■— •^-^:...ov/ -s^rr
/.)tO 3fl7 oJiri t-:: !■•',:: ^;i:v c.-, ji;.r-'Jji: <,>: :■■, i;
■.:,:. •:. ■ . 'no jn^r . . . .,
-inn-Mr^/ 10 ''.-JI -z.u^ t;.[i? ;H'i:;..:.^ ,(^;v j:[i r-.'t'-j .;; /duiiD - ■' ' . ' _ ' ■ji'il ^>r' ;■;')!; tny.'
■ ' .-■ '" ; .ii '-) ' • ■ io ^^'i;:! :'■;/! j-T' '*'■■
^')^ oJ Jfrjrnrf:5i->Job :3;L io"i .3-!oV3-:-jriJ ,vi/j««903r
Jvji'jvou^T ^<il igj'jof^ ;u!) IC
lOO THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. ,,
On the ist of October, after a month's rest, and being joined by more re-enforcements, which swelled the strength of the detachment to nearly three thousand men, the march was again commenced. General Joseph Lane, of Indiana, was in command, and Captain Walker, the famous Texan cavalry officer, led the advance. As a portion of Santa Anna's army had fallen back after the loss of the city, the greatest vigilance was required to guard against being met and crushed by a superior force. The famous castle of Perote was passed in safety on the 5th, when it was learned that a large body of Mexican troops was stationed some distance to the right of the pretty little town of Huamantla, for the purpose of try- ing to cut off" General Lane's wagon train in the pass of La Hoya. It became necessary to dislodge them, and a strong force was marched out to make the attack. The troops, supported by a battery, with Walker's Rangers in advance, marched across the plain in splendid style and approached the town. The enemy made a vig- orous defense, while re-enforcements were hurried up from La Hoya, where they had been lying in wait, but Walker made a dash and entered the town first. Being so far in advance, the infantry could not support him, and in the charge he lost his life, but the victory was gained. The town was given over to pillage out of re- venge for the loss of the dashing Texan, and night set in before the return march to the camp commenced.
Walker's body was secured, placed in a fine Mexican carriage, which was confiscated for the purpose, and an escort of cavalry, under command of Lieut. Ridgely, detailed for the purpose of conveying it back to the camp which had been left in the morning. As nearly all the soldiers had filled their canteens with ^Mexican aguadi- ente,andhad taken frequent draughts therefrom, they soon
.1! r-a: ,i-;:,Mi:i' ; j'tr}!:-:, i;;
■n: )■? ■ --f!^ :^;\ .l'-:
'■ ■• ■ ' 'i: .'jf. /' . , .._
•ti'V ,;<orj:i. ^i^ ;.:r;;; <tj Lir' f-''j;;o"T;;.;r rijrr 'j
1<7il nv/'.'^; oii." Iv:v; j;!-:!! hnr> rl^i-b 1.
iiic
'ly^.h\S{ in'^tvl ';o i>,-u::uj;tu.. lohnjj
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. lOI
became very hilarious, and about every other soldier iui- aeiued himself an officer of hicrh rank. The noise be- came terrific. Many soldiers had loaded themselves with bundles of Mexican sky rockets, captured at the shops, and as they became exhilarated on account of frequent "pulls" at their canteens, they began firing off sky rockets, and in a few minutes the pyrotechnical display, on account of the darkness which prevailed, was brilliant in the extreme. General Lane occasionally rode along the demoralized line and gently ordered silence, but his command was generally answered by a loud "Hurrah for fighting Joe Lane ! "
In the meantime Lieut. Ridgely, who had become infected by the enthusiasm which prevailed, dashed up and down the line yelling at the top of his voice, "Make way for the escort ! "
As men were dropping out of the ranks all the time, unable longer to march, and as the darkness was intense and all discipline lost, the commanding general gave or- ders to bivouac on the plain for the night. Every man dropped down and made himself as comfortable as pos- sible, while pickets were thrown out to watch the move- ments of the enemy. But owing to the pandemonium of noises which prevailed, it was afterwards learned that the Mexicans took themselves as far away as possible from General Lane's command, and had no thought ot attacking it. In the morning the soldiers were less noisy, and quietly resumed the march for the camp they had left the day before. A number of stragglers, how- ever, did not rejoin their commands for nearly a week afterwards, having been compelled to keep under cover a portion of the time to avoid scouting parties of the enemy.
On the i2th of October, 1847, General Lane entered
r,:': T-'r:-'.' ■- : ^! i.> v '•■>■' ^j '■i:■^■l,: W-:;'; ,;-;iri ; :s:i]i\ / . / '
■' • v^-'l; J.K ;•:/•; '.Vw ,.-.,-; -f)'! -^^^r:
■ .' ■ ' ■ i 1 ■; ., -'O-;!' ; :;,: :^i'" K) ;rT'
■■■.■ ^•..ij.;;, ,lvi,','' ;'.; •■ -' v r;-; :• ••,'Miv >ri; ^ .-f ,;-i;;: ■.;:;.! i:j i ;.^ ri;-- ;■;; ,■ ! mC ■;:••;;■;■>- ^ ';r:^7/ !r vet 'A
■:;'iiOc'' on i)-.fl b'^F. ,1
[/■jiy.tny -:)rrBv! iK'TsnaO r • 'io rlKi -^r.
I02 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. . .
the city of Puebla and relieved the besieged garrison which Scott had left behind to hold the city. Colonel Childs had successfully resisted a combined attack for twenty-eight days, although it looked at times as if they would have to surrender to superior force. A halt was made for a short time at Puebla, as there was no longer any necessity for pushing forward by forced marches. While lying here frequent dashes, by small detachments, were made on the neighboring villages to dislodge bands of guerrillas, and while on one of these expeditions the gallant Lieut. Ridgely lost his life.
After his command was thoroughly rested. General Lane resumed his ]\Iarch on the 3d of December, and entered the city of Mexico on the 7th.
The company to which ^leginness belonged, with several others, was quartered in the great Convent de San Francisco, which fronted on the principal street of the city. Here they remained until the 17th, when they were marched out four miles to the suburban village of Tacubaya and assigned more cleanly and comfortable quarters. General Riley had rommand. Other villages around the city were occupied in the same way by other troops.
While negotiations for peace were pending with Mex- ico, Nicholas P. Trist being the commissioner on the part of the United States, the troops lying in and around the city were kept" actively employed at drill, for the purpose of perfecting them in military discipline. Time, however, dragged wearily for months, when the dullness was broken by the recall of General Scott. His departure took place on the 23d of April, 1848, and the soldiers were loth to see their old commander go. He was succeeded by General O. Butler, of Kentucky.
At last the treaty of peace was ratified by the Mexi-
;'!V/'^ ;>;,,;,' vrn Y.ltKA-J HHT Sol
'" ^- ' ■" I- . , . •' ■ il;'; ; '; '^d J
. ■" M - ■ ■■ .■•-,;]• ^1 r.-y
.. '7 ■•■:.: 1 • ■■ '/'■" '•' v.' 7J!? -^r
'>^.< Jrr,.>vc!<;0 --;:;!;» :'iiJ '•' '- vr-r:,;,^ >::7.' , ^
1 , . ^ , , r ■ .
, , MiM.- ;•:'! ui :>:.■:,;■■ n^ .
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. IO3
can Congress, and preparations were at once begnn to retire from the country. Early in the morning of June 12, 1848, the division of General Worth assembled in the grand plaza, in front of the National Palace, and when everything was in readiness, the "stars and stripes" were slowly hauled down from the flag staff from which they had so proudly floated since the capture of the city. The sight was a beautiful one. The flag fluttered gaily in the breeze as if loth tp leave its position. And while it was being pulled down, Duncan's battery was firing a national salute. For regularity and sharpness of report the firing was executed with the precision of clockwork and made the ceremony quite impressive.
When the United States flag was lowered, the work of hoisting the Mexican flag over a building on the south side of the plaza was commenced. The process was a slow one, the halyards became entangled and the flag hung limp around the staflf, whilst the salute fired by their battery was irregular and poorly executed. The ceremony of transferring the city to the Mexican au- thorities was impressive, and was watched by a great mass of people, who filled every part of the plaza not occupied by the military.
The work of transfer over, the Fifth Infantry, of which Meginness was a member, was marched into the wide entrance of the palace leading to the court yard, and drawn up at a present arms, when the first instal- ment of three millions of dollars, out of the fifteen to be paid for the purchase of California, was carried in from the wagons drawn up in front of the palace. The money consisted of silver and gold, and was packed in wooden boxes, and two men were required to carry each box. The boxes were turned over to the Mexican au- thorities. Meginness and his comrades, who. composed
■■,: r'l-'j^l ■yJifO U: ''.n^^vf ^ n u r I >;■'•-.' j:^'-; hna ,'^.- ';3f'v.' !■:!;■ /?:)/:;!'<"/' fr,riOiV.. ' ;■::♦ "lo :?ao/t ri .y.sr.
•': 'I-r';' '■'i" - 1'..' IWilhMy'jd >' :ii:'- :•
.r^'itr ^^i'; w yi;<'3:;(i -';••,;::-..; ,;:v/or' .■■>\'.\i'.\ \i".[-:.6 »«W JI
■;;;: i'J'K !>•:!),;:' t t • iUr.
IK-::/: -n(.! ^' ,1
... -i.:^ .!.l: :-.::/;:/;^. vriiH
)).::!■;'.. /, '/<.' htJf' J);.V7
Jiij: .: . .r-c-Jiqnir Sr/,v
)l! -JvEtq. "iirli 'io ;-;f;Ci •.•f^vti i.' "
1 iJtrl 5(1.? 10 mo ,.;;.. vIj iO >I10liiJl:I 337JlJ
;! b-i>!oi.a risw bi.i£ rr;l<)<; '>n;; T;jv'ii? ''j h^jKUJic
!»^
k-JjiC
I04 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. o'
the euard of honor on this memorable occasion, wit- nessed the ceremony, which was an event of no ordinary importance in their lives. The payment having been made in accordance with the treaty, and everything be- ing in readiness, the rear guard of the United States army — for such this was — took up its line of march for the coast, and the Mexicans were once more in full pos- session of their capital. ; ■ ].;
The 4th of July, 184S, was spent in Jalapa. The Fifth Regiment was paraded in the grand plaza, while a national salute was fired by Magruder's battery, and the day was patriotically observed. On the 14th the march to Vera Cruz was resumed, which place was reached early on the morning of July 17th, and in the afternoon the regiment was on board the bark Jane Gano, bound for New Orleans. The voyage was a very quiet one until the Balize were sighted on the 22d, when contrary winds caused some delay. Reaching New Orleans in the course of a few days the troops were disembarked and taken to East Pascagoula, Mississippi, where, in the month of August, those who enlisted to serve during the war were discharged. ]\Ieginness was one of the latter number. He had spent a little over a year in the United States service, six months of which was at the capital of Mex- ico. He had the proud distinction of carrying a musket, forty rounds of ammunition and all the accoutrements, from Vera Cruz to ^lexico and, back again, and never fell by the wayside nor had to ride in a wagon, something that very few members of the regiment could say.
After receiving his discharge, which was signed by Lieut. S. H. Fowler, who then commanded Company D, Fifth U. S. Infantry, he immediately returned to the north by steamboat to Pittsburg, and thence by packet boat to Harrisburg and Milton, Pa. Stopping a short
:";-'i;iv :■;.]." ■•;'"i •< ."i'A'i avir
|,or
,1
ii'j
!..iu:->^ ?l!l:'"r
■;!i.
I ■ ■'• ;■ .'^ . :.•[ :<Ef/ '(lib
.,■..;.■/' f r CO;
;.iJOT! ;:m!? !>i>^' '>H .ODI
■ji.'.: uJ L>jin;iir;i
.ii;t;; 'jii ,v^i,1t;:.;;i 1. .;. .'
,^..,^^.,, it> E'i ,i.v..,..., ....
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I05
time with his uncle, George S. McGinness, at Limestone- ville, Montour County, he proceeded to Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, and visited another relative, William McGinness, While staying with him he was induced to take charge of a public school, which he successfully conducted for two terms.
On the 25th of October, 1849, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha Jane King, daughter of William King,* of Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, and soon afterwards they took up their residence in Jersey Shore. June 9, 1852, he became editor of the Jersey Shore Republicans a weekly paper owned by Robert Ba- ker and Jacob Sallade, and continued in that position until June 9, 1854, when the paper was sold. This was his first appearance in journalism, which became his pro- fession. On the 29th of June, 1854, he associated him- self with S. S. Seely in founding The Neivs Letter^ at Jersey Shore. The partnership continued until the 30tli of August, 1855, when Meginness retired.
* This branch of the Kiny: family was among the early settlers in the West Branch Valley. About the middle of the eighteenth cen- tury six brothers emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland. Three found their way up the "West Branch of the Susquehanna River, and first settled near the mouth of Pine Creek. Their names were Rob- ert, John and Adam. The other three went to Virginia and settled. Robert, who took part in the Indian wars, married Susannah Pierson about 1792. They had three sons, John, Benjamin and William. The mother died October 1, 1847, in Mifflin Township, Lycoming Couwty. aged 88. Her husband followed her ^larch 29, 184S, aged 04 years, 7 months and 27 days, and was buried in the old cemetery on West Fourth street, Williamsport, Pa. Benjamin, the second son, died sev- eral years ago. John, the eldest, died December 10, 1887, aged 93 years, 5 months and 5 days, having almost reached the ace of his father. He left three sons ami four daughters. William, the young- est, b. March 21, 1802, is still living. He m. :Mary Marshall, of Lycom- ing County, December 8, 1825. She belonged to a family of early settlers in the county, and was b. August 30, 1804; d. January 28, 1874,
N
;oi
.7>!(>Te:ip. av:A '/Aomio ?ti
•o:.'f»<-: :;fi ilOHi.':
brjj, ,/rr-i.iQ ■
nf! 1-^.
.•I i
■I .■ , ■•;• :''.;'7f;o(_ ::i >';■:) r;';r t :. 0 ..■ 'if'- T';nj7-~.q 0;l'i
<ri>{ >lll ::);:■
Io6 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
At this time he conceived the idea of writing a his- tory of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna, which was immediately entered upon. The work was prosecuted with energy, and published by Henry B. x\sh- mead, of Philadelphia, in the autumn of 1S56. It made an octavo volume of 51S pages, and was the pioneer his- tory of that section of the state. The work was kindly received by many people in the valley at that time, who realized the importance of rescuing their local history from oblivion, but being in advance of the times the en- terprise did not prove profitable. But the author lived to see the day when a revised and enlarged edition was demanded a third of a century afterwards. In after years the contents of his book were stolen time and again by others who entered the historical field, and two or three newspapers republished it in weekly parts.
In May, 1857, he was offered the editorship of TJic
at Jersey Shore. They had children : 1. ^Martha Jane, (wife of the author,) b. August 2.), 1829. 2. Eupheuiia Catharine, b. ^lareli 30, 1833 ; d. April 9, 18S0, in Jersey Shore; she m. C. W. Sweeny Octo- ber 24, lSo4. lie d. October 18, 18<)9. They left one son, William Price Sweeny, b. September 9, 1862, and d. July 11, 1S84, at Wayland, N. Y. 3. Matthew M., b. March 25, lS3o ; d. suddenly of heart fail- ure January 29, 18(19, on the homestead farm. He m. Sarah Brcssler, of Illinois, who survives. They had four daughters, all of wh<jm, with their mother, now live in Northern Illinois. 4. John S.,b. April 10, 1837 ; d. February 16, 1872. He was a farmer. His death, which was sudden, was caused by being thrown from the seat of his wagon, by the wheel striking an obstruction, as he was returning home from Williamsport. The accident occurred at night as he was descending the hill into the glen near Mt. Zion Church, a mile east of Larry's Creek. He m. 3Iiss Elizabeth Jane Thomas, of ^Slillville, Lycoming C-tjunty, January 26, 1860. She came of one of the old families of the county, and was b. February 11, 18-38, and with three sons survives: 1. Earnest Lawrence, b. February o, 1861. 2. (xeorge Edwin, b. Au- gust 13, 1864. 3. Alvin Floyd, b. February 22, 1871. They reside with their mother midway between Williamsport and Montoursville, and carry on gardening on a large scale. All single.
;;wi li 'V ■: lo ;;:<:;j;['Ti l)^;; r/t ,fj:tt(|l j;u.i'rfM io ^bftom
>!fri- j-.,;i.t ji.; /■jilr/ .■■i- i.i -i\.U':^<:i /nnin /J
^>-.^ ; Ju !:
>H[/isiv^'Ui-
•« ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 107
Sentinel^ a weekly paper published at Peru, Illinois, which he accepted, and soon afterwards moved his family to that city. Early in the fall of 1859 the office was de- stroyed by fire, and he was again out of employment. Politics at that time were warm in Illinois on account of the great contest between Judge Douglas and x'Vbraham Lincoln for the United States Senatorship. Having formed the acquaintance of Judge Douglas, that distin- guished statesman and politician took a warm interest in the young editor, and through his intercession he was given a position as editorial writer on the Springfield Daily Register ^wx\vl% that heated campaign. It was his good fortune to be present at several of the great debates between those two eminent men and hear them discuss the political issues of the day. And whilst adhering to the political fortunes of his friend. Judge Douglas, he was, nevertheless, deeply impressed with the appearance and ability of Abraham Lincoln, and rejoiced when he was elected to the Presidency. Judge Douglas was a warm personal friend of ]\Ir. Lincoln, and had he lived he would undoubtedly have been a strong and ardent supporter of his administration. In fact Douglas, just before he was taken ill, came to Springfield and deliv- ered a powerful address, in which he advised his Demo- cratic followers to stand by Lincoln in preference to the South. That speech settled the question of secession iu Southern Illinois, and called John A. Logan to the support of the government.
After retiring from the position of editorial writer on the Register, he was offered the charge of a weekly paper called The Spectator, at Carlinville, Illinois, with the promise of assistance to purchase it. He at once ac- cepted the offer, and took charge of the paper in Decem- ber, 1858. Hon. C. A. Walker, a prominent attorney,
y>i ..■:')'. -.Hi '■'-.■^h v:i0JHO ZTl
■/'i[\iiyi :■::'. ' v .■.•;tl .:''!)•,. ' jfh. ■V'':i> b:^,:. fv,^■po■j^; y;f ffouiw
:o ':n!;:. ::■■;■ :'k ■■'oi\'.'\' r.: iiru:-'/ -jij"' 'urj': ji-il'i if:--. >);'/.' y! n-: :r:-/ri ;'"'. ' ,;i' '"■:■;. *:!;J .!f;., / >.:^':3
.•; .^.h'-'-'waI ->; . '• ,' ■ r. -■'■' !■■/ '■Tiff I. j"^ ii:.'j:1:f'jq orfj
;; '■:■ : - . ■ : .■:■:• ^r rf^ Z. '' .^
;.■'•■.'. i ;,.-' ;M.'d f.iiK ,n''r-. /;r.' ;;;" 'jj :..!,. ^rr;
•.»:.>;,■ •:. i'!i!-: ■■^UO'ij^' L tl^;?>({ O/i..;! vll)j^'|;^,. , , , ^
-...;..-^: ■'•■ ■ ■•.'■. '.fr nr .^-p-y^^ht, r- ■
lOS THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. ''>
took a deep interest in the success of the paper, and it was soon placed on a permanent and flourishing basis. He soon afterwards purchased the paper, supplied the office with new material throughout, and being liberally supported, w-as enabled to become the sole owner in two years. But just as he was in a position to realize some- thing from his labors, the rebellion broke out, and in a few weeks all business was at a stand still. Being but 60 miles East of St. Louis the outlook, on account of mili- tary movements, was decidedly gloomy. In October, 1861, after a residence in Carlinville of two years and nine months, he disposed of his newspaper office at a sacrifice and moved his family back to the home of his wife's parents in Lycoming County, Pa. The war was now fully under \vay, and the greatest excitement, caused by drafting and the movement of troops, prevailed.
On June 30, 1862, he moved his family to Williams- port. Late in the winter of that year he received an appointment as a clerk under Captain Wm. Stoddard, assistant quartermaster, Alexandria, Va. In a short time Captain Ferguson, quartermaster in charge of the post, and all his assistants, were removed. They were succeeded by Captain J. G. C. Lee, U. S. A., w^ho im- mediately surrounded himself with new officers. The post at Alexandria was a very important one, as nearly all the quartermaster and commissary stores for the Ar- my of the Potomac passed through it.
After two years service in a subordinate clerical posi- tion, Aleginness was made chief clerk of the bureau of transportation. This office was an important one on ac- count of its close relations with Captain Lee, the quar- termaster in charge, as all the bills of lading of stores for the Army of the Potomac passed through the chief clerk's hands, and he was constantly beset with parties
.kVA'/i:-lD/:U. vjo YJIWA'-I S5I1T
-^>i:io> i-xflu?"! oj fif-rjio")'-; r; >;: ^j-.v/ 9,'i ^jii j?;jr Ifrfi
•it'ir; t'.v |.'j;.KV0Df fK' ,/[<<.'; J ;rr) aijj ^.hJv>J[ jS'ii
■UK
,.':tJ 'j A) .1
>D hrtf
"!l->ir[a 3
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. IO9
seeking transportation to the front. Being intrusted with passes signed in blank for clerks and others on offi- cial business with officers in the field, he was frequently applied to by sutlers and adventurers to pass them to the front. As the orders of the War Department were imperative that civilians should not be granted this courtesy by the quartermaster, it can readily be seen how delicate the position of the chief clerk was. Fre- quent attempts were made to induce him by bribes to issue passes to this class of people, and on one occasion he was offered $100 in gold to pass a certain party to the front. The offer was firmly refused, and the party turned over to the officer in charge, who sternly rebuked him for attempting to corrupt the clerk who was placed in such an important and confidential relation.
The night of the assassination of President Lincoln, he was apprised of the terrible affair as early as two o'clock in the morning. The news came to the Quar- termaster from the War Department, with orders to man ever>' tug in the river at Alexandria and intercept every moving craft. No one, not even officers of high rank, were allowed to leave the city for a day or two, and the greatest excitement prevailed.
Shortly before the close of the war, he resigned his clerkship with Captain Lee, A. O. M., to accept an ap- pointment in the Division of Referred Claims, Paymas- ter General's office, Washington City, under Colonel J. Sallada. Learning of his contemplated departure, the clerks of his division, who had long been associated with him, presented him with a handsome gold mounted cane, bearing this inscription:
Presented to
John F. Meginness,
By his friends in the Q. M. Department,
Alexandria, Va., 1865.
.; . .. oJ ■•:'•"'■:■';.•-•.'/•.■>. h -ii.. ;'1j«:j,''. -.^ ^ ^ ,..
;/;;.i :m' ]':-■■', .'■".!■ ' - i ; . ; ' > r.dj \'
/ !,!■.; ;' '. s • ,'•■•-; 1.' Ti v'lin"^ -i./' "I^riO Vi:'!' .'l!""li SriJ
' ' . ';.•:'■',.' i iK' ^.w ■>:'
_; :: , ■:. ^ :■•■■: :'. ;^; H I !< ? 'i'
.::v :j ,1 :-v : ': ■':'',;;•:■. i ;:.'-; j'! r.i ; ■;.:.■; !'... ibli? iK
^ '',('' 'ill* '^
i'. :;ri '." ■::-.•:;'■. ■' / . ;••,■" ,ri :,-';,'. .! :'/,'/ ^i.; irro;:. ■.
-kj::; ,-'i .i-.i!' .I'J b:-fr.-j\jyi U) ji
.<i.a5ii ,
no THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
After entering the Paymaster General's office, he only remained there a few months, when he was appointed to a first-class clerkship in the Third Auditor's office, Treas- ury Department, under Hon. John Wilson, and assigned to the Division of State War Claims. After about a year's service in this bureau, he was transferred to the Second Comptroller's office. Col. Broadhead, Treasury Department. The duties of this office consisted in care- fully revising the statements of quartermasters' accounts as made in the Third Auditor's office, and if they were found correct, they were referred back for final settle- ment; if not, for a re-examination and re-statement, when they came down again for final passage. The du- ties, which were clearly of a supervisory character, were very pleasant. While here, he was associated with the famous B. B. French, who, for many years, and during the administration of Mr. Lincoln, served as Superin- tendent of Public Grounds, and was always close to the President. I\Ir. French was a delightful gentleman to be associated with, and his extensive acquaintance with public men and knowledge of the "ins and outs" of the government, rendered him a very agreeable companion.
While serving in this bureau the great impeachment trial of President Johnson took place, and he frequently attended the sessions of the high court, which were pre- sided over by Chief Justice Chase, and heard a number of the great speeches delivered by the eminent counsel employed on both sides. Chief Justice Chase presided with great dignity and ability, and held counsel strictly to the rules governing trials of state. It was his good fortune to hear the argument of William M. Evarts, af- terwards U. S. Senator from N. Y., which consumed two days. It was a masterpiece, as well as the greatest effort of his life, and made a profound impression on
('■ t ' i;;-- :,-iL; ■;;">.' ?.! ;:•"!.• -.i;j(' i;.! ■v.)] ;, -ij-jfi-
' ;■;.' \iA\Vi ■;:'/: ;!;:,' ' .•■•rr:!t'> { ^^ , ?' ,' ■.•■.■•'\: ,i''J-; ,.._..
' ' ' . : ': \S\ nMVfli.. \v»:nh :yav.v.:i '■
■■ ■-- .. , ■ :■;. ij^;> ■ -.■..:•'• I :^ r: lo ■{!:;:■?' > -^v ■ ■
;n;.;'
; i;.;:rrrf'f ^irlj ric iin;-n;ir '^];iPl/
S.i'C H,vr.ffn i ■<! I'V/t
hjl'.n
7 .;.■; ■
-,:; Sffj w: !: r.v .-j;. >.;; I ..^X '
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. Ill
the public mind. The trial resulted in the acquittal of the President, much to the disgust of those who were instrumental in bringing it on; Senator Sumner, Gen- eral Butler, and others, being among them.
During those exciting times he frequently saw Sec- retary- Stanton^ General Thomas, and all the eminent men who figured so conspicuously in governmental af- fairs. ', .
He also witnessed the reviews of the Army of the Po- tomac and Sherman's army, when each consumed a day in passing through the National Capital at the close of the war, led by their respective Generals. The spectacle was the grandest military pageant ever witnessed in this country, and those who were fortunate enough to look upon the lines of battle-scarred veterans as they marched up Pennsylvania Avenue, will never forget it.
He remained in the Treasury until June ist, 1869, when, like the army, it became necessary to reduce the large clerical force, and he was mustered out after being in government employ for seven years. The experience gained by those years was valuable, and he returned to private life feeling that he had profited largely in the acquisition of both civil and military knowledge. Much was learned by being thrown into close relations with the eminent statesmen and generals of that time, nearly all of whom he met, and he looks back with satisfaction to what he witnessed and learned during the great struggle; and it would require a volume to record what came under his observation at that time.
Soon after retiring from the Treasury Department, he removed his family to Williamsport, Pa., and accept- ed the managing editorship of the daily Lycojuing Ga- zette^ the oldest paper in Lycoming County. He con- tinued in this position until the 22d of November, when
: ti
I •^'.''r-'Tn qI'Ta Xi;'>rso ?;'i s
^n'X'f/ oi''.v •-■'•■;'! l". ,..:,t^yih 'Mil c)} ioi;n; .;;';.-.;.!i<;y!H ^siJ
■•v;,^' .'; ^;i';/i;0'; ' ; ■:?.:
Vi!iji:jx*> •!•?;_"') '.'o;njQ
■!;> iv,;
■-Tt-K- i-^.Mji ji,;<^v b-
^jrl: rrj ■, bt.:
• :fj (;/■-■:
}Ar!; -^jn'^-j'i on! f;jftvnq
.■3m t J JuflJ Jfi not?£in3«tio j-rii
v:icL -s:!.! '1;
112 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
the paper was consolidated with the daily evening Bul- letin^ under the title of Gasette and Bulletin^ and he was appointed city editor. In course of time Mr. E. W. Capron, the editor, retired, and he succeeded him as edi- tor. This arrangement continued until 1872, when Col. James H. Lambert, of New York, secured an interest in the paper and became editor, when ]\Iegiuness again took charge of the city department. In four years Lambert retired, when Meginness again became editor in chief. This arrangement continued until November 10, 18S9, when literally broken down with the arduous duties of his position, which involved about eighteen hours work out of twenty-four, he resigned and retired for a year's rest. His connection with the paper extended over a continuous period of fully twenty years.
During 1888, in addition to his editorial labors, Mr. Meginness started and conducted a monthly magazine, entitled The Historical Journal. It was devoted to the publication of local history, biography and necrology, and soon attained a sufficient circulation to make it self- supporting. In addition to the many valuable and interesting articles contained in its pages, is the full bi- ography of Rev. John Bryson, who served for over fifty years as pastor of Warrior Run Presbyterian Church, and died in the 98th year of his age; the unique journal of Samuel Maclay, who, in company with John Adlum and Timothy ]\Iatlack, surveyed the West Branch of the Sus- quehanna River in 1790, for the purpose of ascertaining if water communication could be had with Lake Erie, and a full history of the Presbytery of Northumberland. And although a thousand copies of The Historical Jour- nal were printed, the edition has been almost entirely disposed of.
In 1889, through the urgent solicitation of friends,
;;■; ■'■.m. \o ': mm j-:^ iHT
fv!
.{■-.'J ii-in'!! ,::"^i Ih.i': :'':^ .f! iu.'' ; ^.,r>Q;:j-.r:- ■■ i'i' .loJ ;;' J- :"■ ;5);i- ri' f>9-uj:>ii.^ ,>;/-^~'' ■.'■".'1 ,o .:*7'j'ir;)r,...i ii' "-o.^aI^
' If -: ; .;; ,.■■.■ .. ; ':■ ■;•'•'> ■ :':\ \:y >;;"if.rrr)
.;.•■: :,:-; ■:.:^ ■ ■ .... ;■ . .n-... . ;. -.; -jriT
'\.'. ;• ■ . .'.'oi^ ;! '^.^ ■• ' ■ ■ i- T;,:i^ 'lOlIw
■\' '■ :■ s ■ ' .;,' " • , ■ ! .. .'■; ■_:] ,,:■: ,.;.; i.mod .■:-i':\L.\y' !:' J'ltylnOiV ,^ '••-■r^_,ij'[ ', : , ,.■■:. [>mJ-ij.
^i',"^. ' :■■'■: .;■ H --v''-: ,:.-/7
."?:m '..iiivl fl:f'rv/ b^^d ocf b.'';o:)
•firfno-:'
'hn^n*. '\<> noii.i i\o'^]oi Ha^^iu .fxlJ /Jtjaoiiii f^.^^"*?'^! n.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. II3
he undertook the work of rewriting and revising his " Otzinachson, or History of the West Branch Valley," because the first edition, published in 1856, was entirely out of print. The labor, when coupled with the ardu- ous work on a morning newspaper, proved very exact- ing, but he managed to complete the work. It made a volume of 702 octavo pages, illustrated with diagrams, maps, antiquities and portraits, and was accepted by the reviewers as a standard work, and a valuable contribu- tion to the history of the State.
He had just finished his labors on the revised history when the great flood of June 1,1889 came and inundated three fourths of the city. The destruction caused by this flood was enormous and entailed a heavy loss on the people of the West Branch Valley. Seven feet of water swept through his house, doing much damage. The greatest loss he sustained was in his library, which could not all be removed in time, and about 300 books were greatly damaged. Two fine works, valued at fifty dollars each, were entirely destroyed, and many others, some of them extremely rare, seriously injured.
Soon after retiring from the daily newspaper, he un- dertook the work of w^riting an exhaustive biography of Frances Slocum, the Lost Sister of Wyoming. This involved much research, besides two journeys to Peru, Indiana, to confer wuth the Indian descendants of Fran- ces living on the Wabash, where she died in 1847, ^.her being lost to friends and civilization for nearly sixty years. The work was completed and published in De- cember, 1890. It attracted much attention, and the edition was soon exhausted.
In addition to his editorial and literary labors, he made a journey to some part of the United States nearly ever>' year during the vacation season, and visited Den-
O
■if!
':T;tl ^o V.TX
'/ -rii
'•;■ i' -^i'^ ^Vi./n:>5ii
|
,-,< r^- |
■■'IT :f ■.'.'-■ '-.i "■■ |
|
|
i'^..h: |
■ : .^qeifi |
|
|
■.il: lo |
' ' r^i ' ■•■ ' ■ ' |
j:;- :■! r'0?i |
|
■T J |
.'■■'■A "yUi |
; '■[■.
I^l/^i!..^
;•'■ *'.'r
•;:t
::::■
::V; :;"i' •^'i; OjI.J ]■, ,.['. ji Lid] -^-^iiji
■-^''r ■^■^ ■'i;, c-:.'";r[n<':!:-- rTv/ r>'jv:;l ;.'■
■: .. • r.-'' •-;■/; ■f-Jii.;. y[qo-?u
.: ' ::-■-.■ J', i:^ , '-: jn ■'■:){ i>-jiim-^
L f^
■■,' -■;! : ■ •: T; ' . I ;■";•';/: nooB
■■;tv''- vi-:e'„.rr !■ 'i noiiiiccJI; /JD f>a£ ?i)i:..i7't o.
t:.j:'^ ;:^i':.'!ri ;:--ij:ii .> j:
oj •(•■>j
IV rr:r. ri^'c-^a noiJBo/;'/ srfJ g/irrub t£;3'< '{Tt*>V3
114 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
ver, the Rocky ]\Iountaius and Salt Lake City several times. On one occasion he extended his journey to San Francisco and other portions of California. He also vis- ited Lakes George and Chaniplain, and various historic places in that part of the United States. After a severe spell of sickness in iSSi, he made a voyage to Havana, sailing from New York in March of that year. But a short time was spent in the old Spanish city, when he sailed for Florida and landed at Cedar Keys. From there he proceeded to Jacksonville by rail and spent two weeks in that city, when he continued his journey to Atlanta, Knoxville, Washington city and home.
In i8S6, he made a visit to the city of Mexico, trav- eling via Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, and Mexican Central Railroads. He spent two weeks in the old city, and visited many places of interest. This visit was made doubly interesting from the fact that just thirty- eight years before he had been there in the capacity of a United States soldier. The buildings in which his reg- iment was quartered at that time were easily found and recognized, so little had the changes been in the time that had elapsed between the hrst and second visits.
When making these annual visits, he usually wrote a series of letters over the signature of "John of Lan- caster," which were published in the Gazette and Bul- letin.
He also made a journey to Bismarck, on the North- ern Pacific Railroad, when that was the terminus of the road. Twice he spent his summer vacation on the Island of Nantucket, and once in Boston. New Orleans was once visited in the winter for a change, and a few days were spent in Mobile. In making these journeys, tens of thousands of miles were traveled by rail and steamboat, and he never was in a serious accident by rail or water,
.,.-:r!/.HOA,t/ •R. 7,: 1?.' .'.'-{ jIHT i.l \
(tnovi;-: ,;•-■'} bAi,J jlz'':!. btii. ^fMi luii':>l/l y^' ;o5I ^ril ^lov
lj)IA .<;iJj>Jrl livii ;'J jr[? "io i!)';!' Ji::!'
H '-'J j^i^TuV X 3bi'::'f '^i! ,1 -
,j , , , ,
-; . ,
:5i( f;'jH.'.' , /;:o d/:tr '■'•^ :■{'■ :u{:' n\ .:■ ■.:•■-, ^;; -,' ji
'JVA' :i^.:-. >li'/[ .-i'^j;!',!!!,! "!':■ -.-DOi.iq j:'!!- IrjU'^lv bflB
j: ''w ry. ■;'' i
■;iy; '•:.': ,!:.-. riv/ a'l ^;,-;;iy n.'^ iwi'f .liuuloc ■ 'jgj
.aiJ9l
?.;iiijii
/^^
' '!,»■■-■■ i.i^U Jinn ill"! y
r"-'
a«>i^...^tL/i>*fcM--.-j.^-4vj^^
'^ - f I
^:.
^rf>^
*fc *W.-A*»".
_>-W .rte *r.-«fc- „«k y"
ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. II 5
and always met friends, whether on the shores of the Atlantic or Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Hava- na, in other great cities, in the monntains, or on the plains.
During the last thirty years, he wrote many letters and sketches for the Philadelphia Times, The Press, Record^ Nezv York Herald^ Sim, and other journals. As early as 1855 he was a correspondent for the Phila- delphia Ledger. And for several years he served as the telegraphic correspondent of The Press and Times, Phil- adelphia. In his journalistic capacity, he attended nearly every State Convention, of all parties, in Penn- sylvania for eighteen years, witnessed the inauguration of half a dozen presidents, and more than that number of governors.
He was present at the funeral of Stephen A. Douglas, at Chicago, and the unveiling of the statue of Mr. Lin- coln, at Springfield, Illinois. For forty years he lived a busy life, and while not laying claim to having accom- plished anything extraordinary, he certainly labored as industriously in an humble sphere as many who have achieved great distinction. In 1891 he is actively en- gaged in preparing an elaborate history of Lycoming County for the publishing house of Brown, Runk & Company, Chicago, which he expects to finish in the spring of 1892. And in addition to his literary labors, he occasionally finds time to write an article or com- munication for some of his journalistic friends at home or abroad.
Mr. Meginness and wife had issue as follows:
i. Mary Virginia, b. April 22. 1850. Married William C. Arp,*of Williamsport, Pa., November 16, 1S70.
*The ancestMrs of Mr. Arp, both on his father and mother's side, came from Germany. His paternal grandfather, Peter Erbb, (as tlie name was originally spelled,) married Susan Whitman, of Lanca.ster
;- :'i ■■•• -7/ '■■:'; , ; ,• ; •■',:■:[. '■■.(:} ..''t
t; .:,- f:'.> , ■■■;-' :'n :i//-
•, ' r -',
'^Linr:';; ;,,il3 !'.f,;j! rnKri ' -wt .■'"-■ -l': vir ;;■••. ^ ■:, tinrj lo
^•.■;-.'::'>vo;U ^o
- ;; '; .■■•; i;.; rj';! ■-; -•;;:;■,■>.! 1.,,: -^.A::'?! fur/v ,.' '
.■'if: vi!j:T;'T:.o :■'•; . /'!; ::fb7(,>r;';1X7 ;.:/;irr!vfJn ■.(.7: ;^>;]v '.''^ ■(■■i 1!}: :ri-;(i'.|-. •.-';..;■.■- <l-, 'A> /i.'rtri: ;j^t«i>nr
' ,0Vfi3'fO ,7-
, ..- baA ' -. ^-
Miuo li) sfDJJii^ iTE -3.1 !T« ot 3ni;j ahn/^.
Hi
T>>.rj.uij io .rjun.jiiiV.' noiiiff i)'i»inj8rtT (.twti'jq*? viiHtissno sew »tra«a
Il6 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
They now (1S91) reside at Dennison, Ohio, where, as master mechanic, Mr. Arp has charge of the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
County Pa., whertj he first settled. They came to Williamsport. Pa., early in tlie pre.sent century, and here they both died. Frederick Ritter, his maternal grandfatlier, also settled in Lancaster County, where he married Elizabeth Reynolds. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Lycoming County, Pa., and settled. At that time there were only three or four houses in Williamsport.
John W. Arp, son of Peter Arp and Susan Whitman, was b. Au- gust 20, 1826, in Lycoming County. He m. Elizabeth Ritter, daugh- ter of Fi'ederick Ritter and F'.Hzabeth Reynolds, December 20, 1846, and d. April 3, 1S66, in Williamsport. His widow, who survis'es, was b. April 18, 1827. They had issue:
1. William Charles, b. June 28, 1848. He learned the trade of a machinist in the shops of the Northern Central Railroad, at Elmira, N. Y., and soon after entered the service of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, at WilUamsport, in the capacity of foreman of the round house. In a few months he was transferred to Renovo, where he filled a similar position in the great shops of the company at that place. In 1882 he was sent to Indianapolis to organize the macliine shops of the Company at that place, which were badly run down, and introduce the Pennsylvania Railroad .system. The task was an arduous one, but he succeeded to the eminent satisfaction of the management. During his employment there, the pres- ent elegant new shops were erected. It was then found neces- sary to transfer him to the great round house of the Company at Columbus, Ohio, which was done in 18S6. A vacancy oc- curring in 1887, he was promoted to master mechanic, and placed in charge of the machine shops at Logansport, Indi- ana, and the round house in Chicago. There he had the direction of about 600 men. His management proved highly satisfactory. In 1890, the master mechanic of the main shops of the Company at Dennison, Ohio, died, and as the position was regarded as one of the most responsible on the South \Vestern sy.stem, he was at once selected, although the youngest of four master mechanics, to take his place. Here he has control of about 7oO men, and consequently much to look after.
The best evidence of his worth and ability to manage the business entrust <?d to him, is shown in the esteem entertained
.-■j/^::i^>i:V' r:< v^ika'5 'diV:
dii
-I-..'/ M- , m:-<^' '.',
r"' ' .'iii'i;..',','.!
..'■v..\ ill ,fi>:f:'
ill' J<. M.;-il'--.' 'I.
aous ''<»-:» jitnJii'i
:>dJ ft*
r-'-"5 ■■■T.tjr^-'y-^r'-^':?:
aw*i* ---.. ■'-Aid^'iriii^ -t I i^-'^i'iir Mi il'iT "lllii i ' ilii " iiitillilflWlM iliiiiMi aiiiillitifliil
d (^f-^y^
;
► — -•>
•%
X-^.
"» o» -^
sA
^C-vN. 15 < -^
^<S"~
w-N,
,:>
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. II7
ii. Alice Celinda, b. July 7, 1S53. Married Jasper F. King Februar\' i, 1876. He died March iS, 1SS3. She m., second, Ira B. Waite, of Williamsport, April 25, 1 89 1, at Dennison, Ohio. They reside in Williamsport, Pa. By occupation ^Mr. Waite is a gunsmith.
for him by the men who h^ve been under his direction at the different places wliere he has been stationed. When lie left Renovo, the engineers and round house men presented him with an elegant ring. At Indianapolis he was presented with a service of silver, and in a voting contest he won a costly gold watch. But it remained for the Logansport shop men to eclipse all others in the magnificence of their testi- monials. They not only presented him a costly clock in an antique oaken frame, which stands over eight feet in height, and a superb service of silver plate, but gave him and his wife a reception at the public hall in the city, which was at- tended by hundreds, all of whom shook them warmly by the hands and expres.'Jed sorrow over their departure. The locomotive engineers also manifested their e^eem in a series of resolutions enclosed by a silver frame.
2. Mary Elizabeth, b. October 5, 1S49; d. August 5, 1S70.
3. Peter Andrew, b. December 14,1850. He also learned the trade
of a machinist, which he has successfully followed. A few years ago he invented a machine to facilitate the mining of coal, which is pronounced an ingenious and valuable inven- tion. In 1881 he married Isa Graham, of Clearlield, and they reside at Philipsburg, Pa. They have one son named Alton Atlee, b. February 16. 1883.
4. Susan Maria, b. July IS, 1852; m. William Bennett Crawford
Sept. 26, 1872. He is chief clerk at the shops of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, Sunbury, Pa., a position which he has satisfactorily filled for eighteen years. They have :
1. Elizabeth VauUeda, b. September 24. 1873.
2. Carrie Edna, b. July 2U, 1875.
3. Sarah Virginia, b. March 16, 1878.
5. Laura, b. September 12, 1856. She lives with her widowed
mother in William.sport, Pa. Unmarried.
6. John Terry, b. August 9, 1860; d. October 2, 1862. . ,
7. Lucy Emily, b. July 5, 1862; d. November 5, 1864.
^11
rAOT'diW a'/ii. zi<Mi;io ?'.Ti
|
r.'U |
I If.'.; |
1 •> -i |
1 ;;•! t-)'jc.' ■TJ; |
il, |
.'! ';i-w:
";,.'.■. r.' "^ ' :'i '■''■■■:' '• ■ ",') -':■'■■ ■ i uyjii ■■• ■ 'T'. '<:>:v ■' ' [inn
i; •\: iM ciTV':* •',
.VifA-.n
y.'h
i*}Wo(>i'W i'<i| dirw
ij. .\
Il8 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
Hi. Sarah Rosetta, b. June 17, 1852; d. September 8, 1856, at Jersej' Shore, Pa.
iv. WiUiam Warren, b. March 26, 1857, in Jersey Shore. Attended Commercial College, learned stenogra- phy and became an expert court reporter. En- tered journalism, and after passing through all the grades of journalistic work, became editor in chief of the daily Gazette ar.d 'Bulletin, Williams- ./ port, Pa., in the fall of 1890. He married Miss
/ Anna Elizabeth Leaber, of Williamsport, April
/ 22, 1880. She was b. November 7, 1S64. They
/ have issue:
I. Mabel Virginia, b. June 8, 1881. V. Henry Harvey, b. March 22, 1S59, in Carlinville, Il- linois. Married Mary Elliott Long of Williams- port, October 20, 1878. He has been in the sen-ice of the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Williamsport, since August, 1880. His position at present is Railroad Stationery- Storekeeper. They have one daughter, Ella, b. September 21, 1879.
vi. Julia Rosabella, b. February 19, 1S61, at Carlinville, . Illinois. Died July 30, 1861.
vii. Ida Jane, b. July 31, 1862, in Williamsport. Mar- ried Homer J. Edwards August 3, 1882. He was bom April 25, 1855. They reside in Williams- port, and had issue:
1. Herbert Mason, b. March 13, 1884.
2. Martha Elizabeth, b. December 22, 18S9;
d. August 5, 1S90. via. Carrie Armenia, b. September 9, 1864, in Williams- port. Married Harry A. Van Gilder, of Williams- port, December 25, 1890. He was born in Wil- liamsport August 30, 1865. He is chief book- keeper for the Consolidated Fire Works Company of America, New York, and they reside in that city.
: T o t i 'd ■.' '^^.1 J [ n t , •• .- >' Ji ■-•> t ; ! \, ■( .r. I ■'. .d . u :i' r; s vy .{ i f v , 1 11 r '//
8ir
,8 1:>-i,-^jt I- >
'It; iJ'i^iJu'uh ;yf;;J^-';;fi ;./U; ;jji! ,;r'.--i'.;:i';K.>( i.MO^
;':7/
■.'ji;;-'A •rntii
■;I ,tiVrrii\l:,.") ;:r ^.^kr,cc .hni;?,^ v' yj . xi r;.i\oH -afnxilliV/ )" ^M^t.i :i;':iii;I '.■;Ti;K b^rrul' :;:u;(ii
1.': ::/!!■:=•;-'. >"Tq Jn »';■!: '^.j -:;'■ ^v^Hi ,Jc-i;;.^». /, y. -;•..■
.'.5V^
.W'lO
^y]^ . "yu ^yyu
I
■^
„^^'
/
.jf
_^» s- <>--^''»
•■4
xj-.^ - ': \
AN':
)) I
(
^^-'i'^t.'-^,^^^C^i<£/
"^■'
y
^Vv\v^.-s^^^<5.:^C' (^%,
C\
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. II9
ix. Herbert Eugene, b. May 30, (Decoration Day,) 1S69, in Georgetown, D. C. He is a clerk in the ser- vice of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, South Western System, at Logansport, Indiana. In 1891 he m. Lucy Clewell, of Logansport, Indiana, and they reside at that place.
X. John Franklin, b. October 31, 1S74, in Williamsport, Pa.; d. July 14, 1875. Buried in Jersey Shore Cemetery.
No. 12.
MARY JANE MEGINNESS,'^ (Benjamin, ^ James, * Samuel,^ James,'- John Brian, ^) b. January 31, 1831, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. George Laub January 6, 1846, in Hancock County, Illinois, and d. November 28, 1872, at St. George, Utah Territory.
In 1843, when less than thirteen years old, she emi- grated to Illinois with her parents. They traveled over- land by wagons, and reached their destination in July of that year. Her life, after marriage, was largely spent on the plains, in Salt Lake, and the southwestern part of the te-ritory. This was before the advent of rail- roads apvl the comforts which accompany a more ad- vanced civilization. The ox team, as a means of cross- ing the wide prairies of what are now thickly settled states and territories, was a luxury which all the emi- grants did not enjoy. As a consequence, she endured great hardships, and suffered all the inconveniences inci- dent to the life of the pioneer at that time. After ten years' residence in Salt Lake, she accompanied her hus- band and family to St. George, a wild and inhospitable spot in the desert, three hundred and fifty miles south of that city, where they aided in founding a colony. It
,(.M-^rM :.',-/i'XT nc>ilr:Jo j'jG j ,r-r^ ■{?■!/. .J .■an t" . "hiiH .'su
^cJ•>!.u■i_ ,ii:ff<M'-o^f r'...-l;-.:i/. v^irjHI/: ^IXA!. Y>jAM-
fCr
;,;lf^ ::n> ,0,„ ; ;,^-.; ;:^;v.--: ; ;. •,, ,.,;: -LMr.A ,^
won 9iii J.r;[jw "}o r^^hip/ia obrw arfj ^or
rj 10 31/1 5
lo f M vfifi hn£
120 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ' ^ ■
was a cheerless and dreary waste of sand and wild cactus, without a shrub or tree, or a foot of arable land, to en- courage the weary emigrants. In time, however, they succeeded in building up a thrifty settlement, and al- though they failed to make the desert blossom like the rose, they made an oasis to gladen the hearts of weary travelers. j\Irs. Laub was an excellent woman, and en- dured the trials and vicissitudes of a pioneer life with fortitude and Christian resignation. In personal appear- ance she scarcely rose to the average height of women. She had luxuriant black hair, dark eyes, and a fair com- plexion, with plump, rosy cheeks, and was considered a very handsome woman. She raised a large family,* but the hardships of a life on the plains and the desert, coupled with her onerous domestic duties, undermined her rugged constitution, and she died at the compara- tively early age of forty-one, and was buried at her des- ert home, far from kindred and friends.
" She sleeps: her breathins^s are not heard ,., _ , .
In humble chambers far apart, Her raven tresses are not stirr'd
That lie upon her charmed heart. She sleeps: on either hand up swells -^ ' .' '"' ■' ■ •■
The plain fringed pillow lightly prest; She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells
A perfect form in perfect rest." ., ;..
George Laub, her husband, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., October 5, 1814, and died November 14, 1880, at St. George. He was a carpenter, master builder and millwright by trade, and an excellent workman. His services were constantly in demand, and several of the finest flouring mills in the territory were built by
* It will be noticed that she had eleven children, (eight of whom are living,) the same number as her mother, and her second daughter, Sarah, has eleven also.
;' .■•;v/ ";o <}ii.i''\ -jAj -r:' '. ^ -., ■^i--f,r> 'i.., i,;.*,' ■./■jrll ,&eoi
'. ',-'' .:''.:j ■; f ;(r-:r^;-:j;7 brrn ^'; ■,.' ;,:: :■
;.■•■■■'•.■' •": ■ ■ : ^,;, r.. ,.■■[•- ;'. - ' ; ".■ ^. ■•: I.:. ;'^ iV/ .m-irDf^r'
. ■ ■ - .,: ■ ': , ';,.'.\ ' '. ■■'■ :^U r. U) ^
' ,.^ , '.. ■■■''■■< : ^ •.,: : ■'■- .< •;:!■ :■/ -^r.;; ■ ^;>;!0 "t»iI
to • iV.y v^? Lati ,[)r.-f.,'nf)h m ) titoyir
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 151
him. He was industrious and conscientious, kind to his family, and provided for them liberally, considering the circumstances which surrounded him and the conditions of the country in which they lived. He was more than seventeen years the senior of his wife, and outlived her eight years, dying at the age of sixty-six. They had issue (surnanied Laub) as follows:
i. Ephraim, b. October 23, 1846, in Hancock County, Illinois, d. June 7, 1847, at the place where he was bom. . • . .
ii. Luemma Elizabeth, b. December 27, 184S, in Clay County, Mo.; married John William Snell July 11, 1864, at St. George, Utah. Mr. Snell was bom March 2, 1842, at La Harpe, Illinois. Soon after marriage they settled in Salt Lake, where Mr. Snell is engaged in mining operations and the ^ commission business. They have one son, John
W. Snell, Jr., b. March 14, 1866. He received his education in the common schools of his native city, and graduated from the University of Des- eret in 1882. On the 20th of September, 1885, he entered a competitive examination — open to all the young men in the territory from 17 to 21 years of age — for the appointment as a cadet to West Point. Mr. Snell, in this examination, was recom- mended by the board of examiners for appoint- ment, and he entered West Point Military Acad- *" emy June 12, 1S86. After an experience of two years in that rigid school, he retired and entered - Columbia Law School, New York City, October 6, 1888. At the same time he was pursuing his ' studies in the College, he read law under a prom- **'• inent attorney in the city, and after passing a bril- liant examination, February 12, 1891, was admit- ted to the New York bar. On the loth of June following, he graduated with high honors from
■': J ("':'■ iin::> -ji',: I'j.n:. :;;;;! !•.■:/'. !/'r:ri'", doir'/v -:•■>;[.(; ■
|
"•'/■■ . 1 .' ■ |
.- ■.:. , .■ .; |
- .,'1 . |
'■'■ ", i '.'■:.< |
; / ] . , f |
■.U. .yUn--'j |
|
|
1 I~'< n |
' . ■ ■ |
V ■'■';■•;■ |
:::'^ |
.:.'■''" ' . ^ ; |
||
|
-;;-■ |
.- ■;;•. |
I ;,'- |
TM ; V; ^' ' |
|||
|
ai-i:; |
'.■;., ■. |
.-■■ :jj |
■;■-;•.: • ^ |
■:, :■;: ^; ir:.;>^: |
||
|
r: |
■■■, r.. ■. i |
•Ml- ■ ■ |
■. ■;!;■>. |
n;.; hup .-(lio |
||
|
■7 OJ J:/ |
■:a\L J |
■ <,:\. |
V..! [i^L'toai |
, : i .'c ; •{■• fundi) r{ -iv ; jni;jj
122 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
the Law School, and was complimented with the degree of LL. B. It is his intention to engage in his profession in some western city. in. Sarah, b. November lo, 1850, in Clay County, Mo.; m. Ute \V. Perkins, at St. George, in 1867. He was b. in Illinois February 4, 1849. They reside at Overton, Nevada, where Mr. Perkins follows the occupation of a farmer. They have issue:
1. Eva R., b. November 20, 1868. She mar-
ried Brigham Whitmore, at Overton, Ne- vada, October 16, 1 886. They have three . : sons, viz.:
1. Br>'ant, b. August iS, 18S7.
2. Roxton, b. February 13, 1SS9.
3. Clifford B., b. Sept. 18, 1890.
2. Ute v., b. at St. George October 19, 1870.
3. Emma E., b. at St. George May 2, 1872.
She married David J. Cox, at St. George, April 3, 1888, and they reside at Overton. Have two daughters: .1. Luemma, b. March 25, 1889.
2. Eunice Virginia, b. February 18, 1891.
4. Joseph Franklin, b. at St. George January
15, 1874.
5. Pearl, b. at St. George April i, 1876.
6. John F., b. February 14, 1878.
' • , 7. George Elwood, b. October 12, 1880.
8. Mary v., b. June 21, 1882.
9. Fay, b. June 28, 1884.
10. Ralph, b. November 19, 1886.
11. Clara, b. September 28, 1889.
iv. George Weydler, b. December 15, 1852, in Salt Lake; m. Willamina Terry November 15, 1875. She was bom April 14, 1859, in Salt Lake, and died May 27, 1890, at St, George. Issue:
.^-iv:y-^iXh}r. -kj 7jx\.um airr
^ti
sn iigsy'^j-j ' c /loiinoJii' - ij :•; j] .Hi .J. h
r'^'<;!r-/i ■;;r;{r-,i .7;/. vi: /'v; , ^S:: /..l'^ ,no:h:r^'." )£ ■:^i;^-;i j'f:;' ':3"!'i' '■■■:>'■ ' ■' ^' tr* iK>;tj;:,j;/-:>yo arf;?
-;li:; ->-.Ki] -/yrr .^ ■■ ' ^ :,^!J^:^0 .liw,'
.«ii.'iY-..-.'\.' /- ■ JM'u ,'•.-:;■ : .^IJT^jA
:?.■<. r.>.\^:;}:ih ov/J r/uH
. ;{i8i ..8 1
.d88i ,P.' 'iMijiSJ^'iA .■:■ 01
; -- : yrc'.'^ v-r-T .in. ci -K ,
•mO
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 123
r. George Leonard, b. September 10, 1876.
2. Thomas Franklin, b. January 20, 1879.
3. Marion Weydler, b. May 21, 1S81.
4. Willamina Zelma, b. February 27, 1883; d.
September 27, 1883.
5. Joseph Alma, b. January 10, 1885.
6. John, b. December 20, 1887. All were
born in Hebron but Thomas; his place W ->':;],- of birth was St. George. The family still lives at Hebron. Occupation, car- penter and builder.
V. John Franklin, b. iVugust 4, 1854, in Salt Lake; m. Marj' Elizabeth Pulsipher November 15, 1875. She was born November 20, 1859, in Salt Lake. Issue:
1. Mar>' Jane, b. August 26, 1876; d. June 10,
1888.
2. Rozilla, b. December 18, 1878; d. July 27,
1880.
3. Carrie Elizabeth, b. February 21, 1881.
4. John Franklin, b. February 21, 1883. '*•'• . '••• 5. Melvina, b. December 21, 1884.
6. Alice, b. June 6. 1889. All but Rozilla were born at Hebron, Utah. She was • bom at St. George. The family still re-
sides at Hebron. Occupation, farmer and ranchman.
vi. Mary Jane, b. November 29, 1856, in Salt Lake; m. Arnold D. Miller December 14, 1873, at Salt Lake City. He was born March 2, 1852, at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Issue:
1. Arnold Daniel, b. October 23, 1874.
2. Bert Henr}', b. December 15, 1876.
3. Franklin Alma, b. September 3, 1879.
4. Edwin Stanley, b. August 11, 1882.
* 5. George William, b. December 26, 1886.
b iiZH.i .'I': •rtL!:
v.i' r; '•:■ .r.i.arL.ilT j'Jtl fio'i<f-:>iI at mod
'f-M .itj
.U\>i«^ #«> f*^UJ
.t^V'''! ■?£ •K-iffoit-jO ff
.dftc:i
VJI . V • ,i>
124 "^^^ FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
6. Mar>' Elmira, b. November 7, 18S7. The first four were born at St. George; the last two at Egin, Bingham County, Ida- ho, where the family now resides. Mr. Miller's occupation is that of ranching and farming. vii. Rebecca Alice, b. October 4, 1858, in Salt Lake; d.
October 27, 1861. viii. Rachel, b. July 13, i860, in Salt Lake; m. William Alma Perkins August 21, 1877, in St. George, Washington County, Utah. He was b. in Potta- wattamie County, Iowa, January 28, 1847. ^Y oc- cupation he is a farmer and freighter. They re- '. . side in St. George, and have ivSsue:
1. William Wallace, b. January 23, 1878.
2. Louis Ray, b. September 10, 1881.
3. Rachel, b. March 19, 1S84.
4. Joseph and Franklin, twins, b. January' 12,
1886.
5. Mary Lorennia, b. October 4, 1888.
6. Caroline, b. April 13, 1891.
ix. William Benjamin, b. August 4, 1862, in Salt Lake; m. Mar}- Robinson September 10, 1881. She was born in Lancashire, England, April 10, 1864. Is- sue:
1. Jennie Luemma, b. January 3, 1882, in St.
George.
2. Blanche, b. July 23, 1883, at Hamilton,
Utah.
3. Corinda, b. March 11,1886, at Hebron.
4. William Robinson, b. April 4, 1888, at Dia-
mond Valley, Utah. They now- reside at St. George, Utah. Occupation, farming. X. Carrie, b. August 4, 1865, in St. George; m. Fred- erick William Richards April 2, 1885, at Salt Lake. He was born April 27, 1865, at Farming- ton, Utah, Issue:
If---'. ;.-/;.•! iw.;-. ..;;;•■ .'-■..J . -. -.) -^f-;'
■ . •.•7- !..: '. ■■ .-. .. : - ^'-y -1 >'.\x^ i''-i----n. -i-
.^■. '.:■•:■ .J
■■ ' " /is:; '
••: ■> M •:■■"■' •■ ^■
"m
m^^
f"^:^ p*^
/■
' X'
V^!^
lltiilriia''imfln-nf iiiiiii>iiiii1itiffliitiiiiM-iii i^^jjigliimlmlbM
SJJMUEL MEGINNESS.
/"
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 25
1. Frederick William, b. September 20, 1S86,
at Farmington.
2. Rena Luella, b. March 26, iSSS, at Ply-
mouth, Utah. They reside at Plymouth, Box Elder County, Utah, where Mr. Rich- ards follows the occupation of a farmer. xi. Corinda E., b. July 19, 1867, in St. George; d. No- vember 9, 18S7, in Salt Lake, at the house of her sister, Mrs. Snell. Unmarried.
No. 13.
SAMUEL MEGINNESS,^ (Benjamin/ James,* Samuel,' James,'- John Brian, i) b. July 3, 1832, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa., and emigrated to Han- cock County, Illinois, with his parents, in the summer of 1843. He remained in Illinois for four years, when the family moved further westward, crossing the State of Iowa in wagons. They passed over the iMissouri river and located at Florence, in what was then the unorgan- ized territory of Nebraska, a few miles above what is now the flourishing city of Omaha, xA-fter living there a year and a half, or tw^o years, they recrossed the river and took up their residence on the great scope of flat land where the railroad depot now stands at Council Bluffs.
He stayed here until June, 1849, when he bid adieu to parents and home, and started for St. Joseph, Missouri, to seek his fortime among strangers. There he remained until June, 1850, engaged in whatever employment he could find. At this time the gold fever was at its height, and there was a rush for California. He obtained em- ployment of Middleton & Riley, merchants, to drive an ox team across the plains. About the ist of July they
'f - ■;.';:-^ ,n/ i;,',-.' n ^;;',.( V
.1.;;,.'^ ;;:!:.-!
:l^y' Mir/rl U:. ':.' ' -vi
' I ■
' ' 1 r • '-"
•• , ■•-•' ~.'^' ■■ ■ • . ■: " . '. . -ffriij-ri; .>7 till fj.fti "to '•■^i;.:rn t'ljfii'.iO jr. r:.l.uLU wofi joa-jb bx>«
■; >.->il'X hlu :i.'f:;.! O^^hI irjVfiji VI
n
">■ ".• 7,;;; ■-.■i'.rn! .: t:v.'1;c1// iir i^-^vi-^fr? ,..vm ,-'::::i)\ Inass m'!v '. 'r'.fys: -:
126 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
pulled out from Fort Kearney for Salt Lake, where they arrived the ist of November following.
The journey was long, tedious and toilsome; many Indians were seen by the way, but no trouble was ex- perienced from them. Countless herds of buffalo were encountered on the plains, and many exciting incidents occurred. The highly rarified condition of the atmos- phere in the vicinity of the mountains caused some dis- appointment as well as amusement. One day, as the caravan was wending its way up the Platte, a man named Thompson saw something ahead of him in the road which he supposed was a woman walking. He was on horseback, and immediately struck out to overtake her. As he did not get back to the train until ii o'clock at night, it was feared that the Indians had captured him. When he rode into camp he reported that he had failed to overtake her, which added to the myster}-- of the case. The next day the mysterious walking woman was again seen ahead, but when night came she had not been overtaken. The illusion was seen every day for nearly two weeks, and when they came up to it, it proved to be what is known on the plains as the great Chimney Rock! The rarified atmosphere was what had caused the deception as to distance. On discovering what it was, " Thompson's woman" was the subject of much merriment, and he was mercilessly joked about it by the teamsters.
They saw more buffalos in one herd, he says, "than could stand in Santa Clara Valley." "One day," he continues, "while lying in my wagon, very tired and partly asleep, I was aroused by my team running away. Another ox team, also under full headway, was running alongside of mine, and the hubs of the wheels almost touched. I succeeded in getting out and reaching the
.':fyi/.'iO/.u -{o w.nujM 'Aivi dsi
Yf.'f.fK "jiii'o.-.L'.jj iurt: .jftoifi'sl ,';.(i'.il •'.^v/ viri^rjor -jrfT
-y-'.) ■•' ' ' -•'.; ■.'(: ;; :-
1
...n.'o;-] f.i.' 'u.' /]iiirj: ■■ aii ... :rf^ni ;. ,-j':f.l'i ::id: ■• . r-:r -jt ■_,::':'.. .■■vr --:■:.>■
-^:<', '/j/r ^}' }'Jii :4";' :.' "'':';i' li'-^;-;;:: '>■:?: ,iTK(?0'^70fl no
:<l'.y.'' :■■;:■; , .-
V'ii'i'.v'fr) 'E"*::,:. ^il'i ^r. --i;; "ij; •>:!} r!o u/.'owA k'i
■ fjKii .'i.iv/ ''.j.r :>r.v.'i'..r''.v»:K K. h-jrlfrn t>r!T iayo>l
.'rL
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I27
wheel oxen, but they were so frightened that I could do nothing but hang on to the ox bow. The wheels of the two wagons were touching and there was danger of a collision and smashup. Fortunately at this moment the pin in the goose neck of the team of the other wagon came out and let the oxen loose, so that I had a show to stay with my team. The oxen had been frightened and stampeded by the buffalo.
" In the evening one of the teamsters broke his wagon tongue off, and we were compelled to remove the light goods and abandon the wagon by the roadside. We went into camp about one hundred yards from it, but in the morning it was stripped of the cover, and the flour emptied on the ground. Thieving Indians did the work. If I had the wagons and log chains that were left on the plains I would soon have a fortune.
"We camped near Independence Rock one evening on the Sweet Water, when Henry Walker, W. W. Mark- ham, William Jones and myself carried a wagon wheel to the top of the rock for the purpose of letting it roll down. In the descent its velocity became so great that all the woodwork flew to pieces, leaving only the tire, which made the trip and frightened the antelope and mountain sheep which were feeding near by.
" In the morninor we found that the Indians had stolen two of our horses during the night. The famous Porter Rockwell was in command of our train, and I am free to say that a kinder hearted man never lived."
He remained at Salt Lake until May, 1852, when he resumed his journey for California, and traveled with a wagon train. The trip across the arid plains and the Humboldt desert was a tr>'ing one, but they managed to get through with little loss. They crossed the Sierra
^£1 .VMOT-^Ul iVAA VII
:;t!.1 1(1 ■-i >j.! .V o.rr .'//•')(! ./o •jn'J oJ no jicji-jj
'/ ri'A -)>iioT'i ^-vM-u^u-jl -Jib lo f>no 5;nfn-?7j 'jdi nl "
■t , f j ;
■ • '■' ■'.•!; r;! '■ :;.j :')ni ^,'■•,v■;;'' 1' .
line stqohins. idl ho:t9-:.'rprit btJi; qti' -Jifj
9^-i> iUB 1 bn£ ,ni£ij luo '\o
■B 9ilj
128 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
Nevada range of mountains at the old Emigrant Pass, which lies between Carson Valley and California, better known as the old Carson Route. " On the 3d of July, 1852," he continues, "I painted my name on a rock on the summit, and the snow was about three feet deep at that time!" Soon after this they reached Sacramento, and the journey was over.
After a rest of about a month at Sacramento, he made his way to Pleasant Valley, about two miles from Placerville, and engaged in gold mining. He followed this business for about a year, when not meeting with much success, he left the place and went to Johnstown, not far from Coloma, El Dorado County, where he worked in the mines about a year. But as luck did not attend his labors he abandoned gold mining and re- turned to Sacramento, where he remained about a year, turning his hand to whatever he could find to do.
His adventures while engaged in gold mining, were they written up, would fill a small volume. He relates that in 1853 he and John Allread went over the Sierra Nevada range to Carson Valley, near what is now Gold Hill, Nevada, to try their luck in that region. They stopped and worked in what was known as Gold Canon. There were a few miners ahead of them' at that time, and they warned them to be on the lookout for the thiev- ing Indians. Their experience with them is given in his own words: "We worked all day, and in the eve- ning went down to the store to get our blankets and clothes. When we returned, about 11 o'clock at night, to our dug-out in the side hill — the front being walled up and a blanket suspended for the door — we went in and laid our blankets and clothes in one bunk, while we occupied that of another man. In the morning we were surprised to find that during the night the cursed Ute
P.IVIVTHOAl/. HO 7 Jn<';A'>i HHT
U'nj:;ii:
Dfii
,.*r!^tfi if.
to ti: f.\
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 12^
Indians had stolen everything we had, except our over- alls, which we had not taken off!"
On another occasion he had an experience with the Digger Indians, which he relates as follows: " xA.ll win- ter there was a camp of Digger Indians near our shanty. The winter of 1852 was a hard one. John Allread, Oli- ver P. Duncan and I were the only boys in the mines, and we worked in partnership. Our claim was half a mile from the shanty. One day I was going home to dinner, when I saw some young bucks coming out of the shanty. I made for them and caught one, when the first thing I knew, there were three old bucks with their bows and arrows drawn on me. I had to let him so as quickly as I could. Just then some miners came along and relieved me, when the Indians scampered away. I then said I never would trust an Indian again, for we had fed them all winter, and that is the way they re- paid us.
*'The miners used to call us 'them cussed boys.' We played all kinds of tricks on them. We kept up a noise all night long, and worked hard to play tricks. Those were as happy 'days as I ever spent."
In the fall of 1855 ^^ ^^^^ Sacramento for the mag- nificent Santa Clara Valley, and permanently located within three miles of what is now the thrifty and beau- tiful city of San Jose, about fifty miles south of San Francisco.
His experiences on the plains, in the deserts, the mountains and the gold fields, in the early days of Cali- fornia, have been varied and exciting. He has seen hard times as well as good, met all classes of people, and witnessed many of the thrilling scenes which trans- pired in the early days of the state, when the thirst for
Q
■>di lii'iw i5:/rjo; N^iqx^j- ur ''J;;! :>;' not>.fv:;::-o i'3:lK)ne sjO ./Jai-ll-^ iJiw ^jV;^i; r.;>:,:b,fl t::;^^;^!!:! :',- •;-'.•> ^ c- vv x
- ;■ . _■ ■.,;! )-y o' i'-r."; i .--H''' :■("-; /-"il.; >:7/-:t;j: im;<; >v/od ■,,' ;,• Wi ;,'; - ". :'.'.;': !:•;':(.• n^fi' J^ii' 'j-nco >
.■/:.'.. ,;ii;-:v.,., . r;.,.;! .1 ■:'■ ,■:]■;: :';;»> v -Ov:*,"; 1 biji-' liarfj .-•J V ^1 7f// 'v;; ,; ,'i, :•;:,. ,;■■>,! !:'-,, • ji;; aiodl ':A\ hGiI
„;.;:.;■:' ■';•.:'■; ., ',-, r > , ■•■ ::> .;jrfoI il^■:^:r ■':. -r-jo«
-!',:3<.i ;i.i .^115 won ?.; 'KiJw to auitru t
il:. .!■).,
130 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
gold was the controlling power and led men into all kinds of excesses and troubles.
On the 15th of June, 1857, he married Martha Ann Coudit, of San Jose, and settled at a very pleasant place on the highway, about three miles south of the city, and engaged in farming. She was born in Newark, N. J., September 10, 1831, and emigrated west with her pa- rents. They have issue as follows:
i. William H., b. March 14, 1S5S; m. Florence Haley November i, 1886. Reside about four miles south of San Jose, and follow dair\-ing and stock raising. They have issue:
1. Mabel M., b, October 7, 1S87.
2. Hazel, b. October 14, 1889.
u. Clara A., b. June 12, i860; m.S. Pelegrin Chaboyd August 10, 1889. Reside in San Jose, Xo. 532 South Eighth street. Occupation, fanner. Xo issue.
u'l. Charles E., b. May 28, 1862; m. Lillie Greenfield October 24, 1886. He lives a few miles south of San Jose, and is engaged in farming and fruit rais- ing. They have issue:
1. Bessie, b. September 30, 1887.
2. Noma, b. February- 19, 1890.
iv. Mary J., b. January 9, 1866; m. Stephen T. Xichol- son March 15, 1885. Reside a short distance south ea.st of San Jose; engaged in farming and fruit raising. They have issue:
1. Lester A., b. December 19, 1887.
2. Edna, b. July i, 1889.
V. Ulysses S., b. August 25, 1868. He is a blacksmith by trade, which he follows in San Jose. Unmar- ried; makes his home with his parents.
vi. Walter J., b. October 14, 1871. Unmarried. At home with his parents.
..:■■ ,.'■;:• ',^'h 1l>^Iw'.:v -'iliia I'-'f:* ;!j*>fi., //ir;' .'i^iifl orfi »?o ■ ■-■ . > ■ :■/ r' 17.. ■■->' ,;. :r>, ,;;; ,;; , !; ,.;r/:;,i7r .s
■;.rj:-.,-'i ••7S:i van i .^iii>:.'fi7 VSei ,01 - ■ 1 .d ,,A - ^ '
J."\ .btnTiiBiifJ .-■•bi 4-1 r.;idf..T:jO d ., [ isJlftW .i'J
jr^~T^'«w«»iw*^^ft75S;^_f5^';^^?j:'?lf^'f!^,^^^
.^^'f -\'Xi,
JliW'iWitllilliT^^ f n'Wf ilfti'MfcttirtlliAiih '(> t^m^ioM
W. H. MEG1NNES5.
,<r-
y
,s
/
t
T^'
R \vi
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 131
No. 14:.
WILLIAM HARVEY MEGINNESS/ (Benjamin, ^ James, "* Samuel,^ James,- John Brian, ^)b. April 21, 1834, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa. He had only attended three terms of public school, when, in the spring of 1843, his parents emigrated to Hancock Coun- ty, Illinois, thus depriving him of the advantages of an education. Two years were spent in Illinois, when they concluded to go further west, and after wandering about for a year or more, they finally settled at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1846. This portion of the state was then a wild, the town had not been founded and the now flour- ishing city of Omaha on the opposite side of the Mis- souri River had not been thought of. Owing to the wildness of the country and its sparsely settled condi- tion, there were no school facilities whatever, and he grew up unaided by the advantages of education; and un- til the breaking out of the civil war in 1S61, all he learned was obtained through his own energies.
While living at Crescent, Iowa, he married Miss Sa- rah Nixon, July 4, 1861. She was a native of Fayette County, Pa., where she was born November 6, 1843. He soon afterwards purchased a tract of 200 acres of land in Hazel Dell Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and settled down to the life of an agriculturist.
When the war broke out and a call for troops was made, he was ready to march in defense of his country and flag, but for various reasons he did not enlist until 1862, when he went out in the 29th Iowa regiment, com- manded by Col. Thomas H. Benton, Jr. The regiment left Council Bluffs one thousand and twelve strong, and proceeded direct to St. Louis, where they were detailed for patrol duty for two weeks. They were then ordered
I{_I fHOTr'An (1>TA Annuo 2T1
.^1, .OVL
•.;■' ■'"] :'f :'r: . : ,- ^n-jv/ ,
■ ' -.■w :•!;,;.. .::' a- •;;;: :jr^ ^irfi /': ^^ ill ,i.v/ol • ii '. -v^/'i LjfiT ;;.!.,„ ..;>•:;':.;... i;^:;0 J' ' ••
■dj. '-r!;' ": J .mO -■'^oq^.v:' -.fit r:-'
.- vr";^'i:in5 DV/o ^'t: _
::;;. 77 ;.
ii.tfTjj '
'i ■, .1 - 1 ' .■■ J ,
132 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
to Columbus, Kentucky, where they were first put under fire. After a stay of ten days at th.at place, they em- barked for Helena, Arkansas. Here the regiment re- mained for about two weeks, until the expedition was ordered up the White River.
The force sent on this expedition numbered about twenty thousand. It went as far up the river as Duvall's Bluff, where on disembarking, a rebel force was en- countered. A brisk engagement ensued, which resulted in the rebels being driven back towards Little Rock, with the loss of a large quantity of ammunition, cotton and provisions. This was in December, 1862.
From Duvall's Bluff the regiment returned to Hele- na in time to join an expedition to cut the levee on the Mississippi state side of the river, and run a fleet of boats through to the Tallahatchie — thence down that stream to the Yazoo, for the purpose of besieging Vicksburg, that place then being the focus for all the troops on the river. After a long and laborious task, a large fleet of boats carrying about twelve thousand men, succeeded in reaching the Tallahatchie, and proceeded to Shell Mound, where a strong fort and a large rebel force were encountered. Here the troops were landed, and for some time the fight was continued. Two gunboats, the Chil- licothe and Baron De Kalb, accompanied the fleet, and here it was that he had a fine opportunity to witness the conflict between these iron clads and the fort. While here he was sent, with eight others, all picked men, to penetrate the picket line of the enemy, ascertain their force and the strength of their position. This was a hazardous undertaking, and fraught with danger, but the little force crept silently through the swamps and cane brake until they were inside the picket line, where, with field glasses, they scrutinized the place and strength of the rebel force.
r;'> >;«v/ :i r'ui L-Cy !■. ,;;(■' A:i.;':'fiii»t! ;.; uo ;!;:i:'
0} ,t - ffjiw ,1a^a
hsd
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I33
On attempting to get back they were discovered, and the only way to get out was to boldly make the attempt to capture a post of six men. This was successfully done, and six prisoners were brought into camp, besides good drawings of the fortification. For the part taken in this affair he was made First Sergeant of his company. A, which position he held to the close of the war.
On account of the Mississippi River falling, and the danger consequent on such a thing, the attempt to reach Vicksburg and aid General Grant's forces was aban- doned and the fleet ordered back to Helena, where it ar- rived in time to aid in making preparations to meet a force under General Price, which was threatening to at- tack the place.
As Vicksburg appeared to be so effectually besieged by Grant, and the rebel leaders evidently aware that on the 4th of July a tremendous effort would be made for its capture; and knowing that a vast store of provisions was at Helena, they thought it would be a fine achieve- ment to secure the booty. Here, on the 4th of July, 1863, was fought one of the greatest battles of the war. The Union forces, numbering not more than five thou- sand men, commanded by General Prentiss of Shiloh fame, completely routed a rebel army of twenty thou- sand, commanded by Generals Price and Van Dorn, cap- turing and killing as many men as he had under his control. Here the subject of this sketch was under fire for six hours, firing one hundred and forty shots from the guns of men who had been killed, and, strange to say, came out of the battle without a scratch!
After this victory and the fall of Vicksburg, General Steele was put in command, and he immediately began preparations to march on Little Rock. About the mid- dle of September, 1863, the march commenced; and
■i^'l :'v7;>! i'rore?r^;d]/!' orJj "io Jniio:*^
^ o*" 9ff oJ b-yj.c->qq£ >
flKfll 970ffl io
134 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
at the end of a month it was successfully ended by the capture of that city, with many prisoners and arms.
The following spring an expedition was started from Little Rock to co-operate with General Banks' forces on the Red River, in Louisiana. After the retreat of Banks, General Steele's command had a hard time and much severe fighting to get back to Little Rock. At Jenkins' Ferry a severe battle was fought in the rain and mud, and here two brothers — ^Joseph and Benjamin — were wounded, and the former fell into the hands of the enemy. Steel retreated and again began entrenching and fortifying the place. For eight or ten months fight- ing was almost continuous.
Early in the spring of 1865 the 29th was ordered down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and from there to Fort Morgan at the mouth of Mobile Bay, to join the forces under General Canby, then preparing to march on Mo- bile. The march was commenced about the first of April, 1865, and at the end of two months the city of Mobile and all the boats of the enemy on the river, and all the forts along the Bay, had been captured. He was en-
gaged in about the last fight of the war at "Whistler Station," eight miles out of the city. Soon after this he was lying in the Mobile City Park, reading a news- paper, when the great explosion of ammunition took place in the warehouses, completely demolishing one- third of the city and killing over 700 soldiers and con- trabands. He escaped through all the battles and skir- mishes of that section, but had a brother (Joseph) again wounded at the desperate charge on Spanish Fort. About Mobile was found the most perfect engineering in the defenses of any in all the confederacy.
After quiet-had been restored at Mobile, the 29th was sent to Mount Vernon arsenal on the Alabama River, to
-' '.;i.'/.i/ --lo vjii//'.'] ?rr
i'C
, ■-- V ;, •,•■••: (r.'r.1 '- ; :m ■,., ,bani
, t-,-
--f.:--r,: 'jftj
■> i /'
'■■^'!7; '' Ji; :j-\,- r'j 1c !•''■;. ' ^ ,; -'',1 ,f/",'f^ r?^ ^-
'■■■"' 'Kir..' ,>:'ir":or(.n !»■.'/• ;,'if; rj! yjcfq
"■■"■^ ■ ■ . . ;.,i.tif::i D:t£ -/Jjo :3(;i " ' ■''^'
;f/: JT':/*! rl^ti_;£';> no ; ■ -' •
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 135
hold and protect the place. It was here that the news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received. Rumors through rebel sources had been rife for a few hours, when, on seeing a boat coming up the river, he ran out in a canoe and hailed it for a newspaper. Some one on board had the kindness to wrap up and throw him a paper containing the sad news. From here the regi- ment was sent to the mouth of the Rio Grande, in Texas, whence, after a stay of two months, it was ordered to New Orleans to be mustered out of service. Sergeant Meganness made out the muster rolls for Company A, and called the names for the mustering officer. This took place in August, 1S65, when the men were sent to Davenport, Iowa, and paid off.
During the whole three years of service Sergeant Me- ginness served as correspondent for two Iowa papers, and wrote many graphic letters describing the scenes and bat- tles through which he passed.
On returning home he quietly settled down to agri- cultural pursuits, which he followed without interrup- tion for several years. On ihe opening of the centen- nial at Philadelphia in 1876, he came east and visited his friends and the scenes of his childhood for the first time in thirty-three years. One-third of a century had wrought so many changes that he scarcely recognized the familiar places of his youth, and they possessed lit- tle attractions to him, since he had witnessed so many stirring scenes in the West and South.
•
When Governor Kirkwood was inducted into office he appointed Sergeant ]\Ieginness one of his aids, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and he served as such for four years, or during his administration. He has also held various civil positions of trust and honor since.
irA
■/■>U}'r:-\\H (iYr. y..]:n?jo ^'tl
■>>:// J i I :>';'; If.tij' O'r'jf' <P.v,' il C'O.clf; '>f'ri 'oa*o'^'f
r7.,:r
i;i;r! wo'inj h:^.i;:i tt^t?/ of -'.^.: ;;• ;;i..^ -j'Al hr.d hincr:
.•'Jd -i'.lj 'to i»J..'o;;: ; ^)i/' ]' --.ir-v' • "to • 7r;-:;7 oynl:! sli'p .', .;i' ■ ' '
fi;,;. . »1 OVj 7':'. ;':^::■i^!'.;l;)'^•i rK>:> c./i b-lj
I)
r ^.f.v/
<.l4'i> C.4i^<~>M • xy
,136 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. '>''■■"
About 1S85 he spent a year in Arizona and New jMex- ico, engaged in testing an invention for the more speedy separation of gold dust than the old methods, which gave him an opportunity of seeing and studying those curious countries and the strange people that inhabit them. This invention he had patented while living in Denver a few years ago, and at some future time he may put it on the market. It is said to be a marvel of inge- nuity and to perform its work well.
He has traveled nearly all over Colorado, New Mexi- co, Arizona, and a great portion of the Pacific coast. While in New Mexico he visited the old Spanish churches at Santa Fe and Albuquerque, stood upon the walls of the old ruin of Casa Grande, in the Gila River Valley, examined many of the ancient ruins of the Az- tecs and sun worshipers, traveled among the Navajoe and Pueblo Indians, rode the lonely mountain trail along the continental divide with that wonderful Indian maid- en, a Navajoe chief's daughter, wdio is so loved and worshiped by all the wild tribes living along that rug- ged chain of mountains. In fact, he has visited all places in both those territories of any interest to travel- ers; has traveled through the famed Painted Desert, where the wild Indian dare not go, and the Petrified Forest, where everything is stone. All ancient ruins in that region of any note have been visited by him, and he has examined the Indian hieroglyphics and carv- ings on the rocks, dug around the buried walls and foundations of the sun temples of the pre-historic peo-* pie who once dwelt in this strange land; watched the Navajoe and Peublo Indians weave blankets on their simple looms a thousand years old, and went with them over and through mountains where white men, perhaps, never trod I
''. ■'. ■»>■; '■•■■;; ,:;<■;.!;/• f-^ ';';'^7 j; K]^»q3 3rf ?8<^ ' ■ ■ ■ * '
;•: f-^i:;,.. iir^fT] ''i' jrll .C'-ri:^ Vjjb if;-.;:, '^^> :i;i' ; ';;^;; (/?';;.:■•' ;:_ ;■/;!--■.- 'o ■• ' ;n;,j Jrw ;; ; • -^ i;. ;:'. '. j'.' ■^l'.^•■■J:^; ■■i.y . '\< :■:: i>::,' ;>; ■ i., ,;;;\ v
::' ?:■ -' .'■' .'.■ 'iruy '■;.:■:::' , ■-■,,:. :■:':':■.' ■//:;'i >^ ; ■"■>•• . . j^:.i r;, i' ^;r- -7 ^:-.■ -i : ' '■. ' ' ■'..:.: jilj u
•' ''ly ,0. .:■'.'/„-■]■•. ■■ .:;■ / u.^'' !j:,i'.;> /;.,-rj r:r>?"f ■.:;Ii ■:^ -jiii .;:'! ..'li; i ('■■•i* ».; '.•■Vi-:'_ ... f ■ ;: ^.enoxnA / '
' I }■?::.',: ''i: '■:wi [<'■;. :-if[j
- . ;il >(■■ "•;(;■. if! h: 'f " -f.a:-^ "> . .
. ..:r; ,.^:"^^ ul^.u>vv ,:t<J-. !>/!£ <i33i
: ':•' ? !' ^iliji ,5c!>;:;F.al i/d^aSi has
;:, : ,:;,: abi/^L ' ' ■ ■ ■-
i('- :.:,*.. :"v :•-"■■: Vji:\ nl .-1 . 'lo iwr.
'•: ■■■■'■'■i ■■.'- ; .J ^•fB[v vii ;:./!! .;: ..
: - ;:;, ', .j.-fwir- .•■■' ^!:it\i-r::>7
hii'i .rnirl /d b::'nycv rty;it(l 9vr;:! ijjrn^ vnr.'lo
■■,1:,- ^f. , * .., ...ni - -q vrf'
•■■r.r;;Mq ,n3irr ^jfilv/ 3i3i]<'' --aiuJjnrjoin i(;4f;-o'!fh !
'7 1 '.■■-' ;•
T 1 . ,',..■ :
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I37
After living in Denver for two years, for the benefit of his wife's health, he disposed of his farm in Iowa in 1889, and emigrated to California for the pnrpose of seeking a new location in a more congenial climate. After looking around for a short time he settled in a new place called Summerland, on the beach of the Pacific ocean, not many miles from Santa Barbara, and engaged in the grocery and provision business. The town has grown rapidly, and as natural gas has been struck at a depth of one hundred feet on his own lot, the prospects for a boom and increased business are good. ■:,.,,
He is now (1891) Post Commander of Summerland Post,. No. 158, G. A. R., Department of California, and takes an active interest in military affairs. For several months he served as local editor of the village paper, but when business became brisk he resigned his position. Issue :
i. Inez, b. April 21, 1862; d. August 23, 1862. it. Grant Hastings, b. August 22, 1866; m. Lulu White at San Jose, (who was born there February 23, 1868) October 10, i8Sg. They have one son, Wil- liam Archie, b. August 31, 1890. The father of Mrs. Meginness — Archibald Watson White — was born in Scotland, and his wife — Carolina Amelia Hervey — was born in the State of New York, and is a descendant of Noah Webster. Grant and his wife now reside in Oakland, California.
No. 15
JOHNSTON MEGINNESS, « (Benjamin, ^ James, ^ Samuel,^ James, 2 John Brian, i) b. December 10, 1836, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa. In the sum- mer of 1843 he moved to Illinois with his parents, where
R
- ■"'- - ■ ■•a: :/( Jr ■ ' ■ - li
:9U2«I
,f/„ y;i;5!r:v:3''{ ■j'.odi ;nod >;.■//• o Jv/ ,
rf.'ji .It
.31 .oH
A
■* i. •*■-■-'
k lu .:'U!
138 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ,^
they remained a few years, and then crossed Iowa in the tide of emigration which was setting westward. They stopped for one winter at Florence, in what is now Ne- , braska; then recrossed the Missouri River and located in Council Bluffs, near the site now occupied by the great Union railroad station.
On the I2th of May, 1852, he started across the plains with his brother-in-law, George Laub, and arrived in Salt Lake that summer. There he remained until the following spring, when he joined a wagon train and pro- ceeded to California, arriving there in the summer of 1853. He was then only about seventeen years old. Gold mining being all the rage at that time, he engaged in placer mining, which he followed for two years. He then joined a company of mounted rangers, and for three years they were engaged in fighting Indians. Their du- ties were arduous and dangerous, and they were subjected to many privations, and more than once barely escaped capture and massacre. The company ranged all over northern California and the greater portion of what is now the state of Oregon. In the spring of 1857 they visited Victoria in British Columbia, where they re- mained a short time. Early in the spring of 1S58 the company returned to San Francisco and disbanded.
After spending a short time at San Jose with a broth- er, he again returned to the mines and resumed the search for gold. This occupation he followed till the spring of 1862. Not meeting with much success, and tiring of the rough life experienced in mining, he left California and returned to Utah. He soon afterwards engaged in quartz mining and smelting ores, so largely followed in that territory at that time. This occupation he followed for sixteen or seventeen years, devoting a portion of his time to "prospecting" in the mountains.
:.■[•. ■Av.ni^ hit. '10 Y4IMAH mvv \l
■:-^^-i! ,!:r^; ,vnl/: V, ''
.;■;'■: ;-::«^{ ;■.)':'•:■,'.),_: ll.iy\v. j'wv •A-j'ill rjyri -jH JpSi
•■rii ;-,:;!!'J.' .^u, ./'..:; '.'i;'d;^j; ;^; :.-;'i^f:;:.;i :> ^)i^;w '{^-^iij e^ixiov ''■••',;.-;•-:•.;•'.:?"■., J :7:j!.':. ■;;:.::: v !G;n ].:•-;: ^iu\>i1r,\'\i'i .
-tUrnd j; fi r!jj8 is ami; 'voflr c j;{rjibn3q<> isJlA
y;fj h^KTisjiST {:n£ g-^afxtr orb 01 !.>•'.! r!:.:j:?i iiiBgji ^if ,15
ln\n ,•
noor: sli .;:/,lO
1' -'>rnb J.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 139
Reports of rich findings in Arizona having reached him from time to time, he determined to visit that hot, arid region and try his luck in a new field. Accordingly he departed for that territory in 1865. He found it an exceedingly rough and dangerous country, where life was scarcely respected by the adventurers who made their way there. Not liking the country or the climate, he returned to Beaver County, Utah, in 1869, and then on July 1 2th, of that year, he married Mary Ann Adare.
Soon afterwards he went to Nevada and engaged in milling ores. But owing to the failing health of his wife he removed to Iron County, Utah, and settled in Cedar City, located on the rim of the Great Basin, 24 miles southwest of Parowan. Here his wife died Au- gust 12, 1870, leaving a daughter aged about one year.' After this misfortune he returned to Beaver County, Utah, and built a furnace for smelting the base ores which abound in that country. This business he fol- lowed with varying success until 1877, when he returned to Iowa to visit his brothers, bringing his motherless daughter with him. Here he remained until 1880, when he made a trip to Leadville, but not liking the place, re- turned to Iowa the same year and engaged in farm work. In 1878, September 13th, he married, second, Melissa J. Cafferty, of Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
In the month of December, 1886, he had another at- tack of the gold fever, when, in company with his broth- er William Harvey, they made a journey to Arizona and went to work in the placer mines. The object of their visit was more particularly for the purpose of experiment- ing with and testing a "cold, dry washing machine," which he had invented. It was so arranged as to separate the particles of gold from the dirt without the use of
h>T{r I :v': ':.;;;','i;d fiffOMtf. nt ;^^;fi[;r!rl rlori to r"'- - .*.';(!' :r;i:' y:<\7 oi ix/v; ';^r^>I'U.• .»'! ,:=■?;!;:) i/i jini^ .rl
^-lontf^Ti/)-.!-/- • .Lltv/1 v/'^'f )-. i;: ,>:•'( grii /:ij bin;, norj^^i bhfi r;i. •; iJrnM.ri ^H .-de; (;• v ;.,;.:;rf ; >: 'tri; 'm'! f'- 6\ll •JTsd'ri' ,v";*r!f:i:'0 -;'•:. ■;'!■: :? ssj ll'^UJ-''! '■'
■:■:..■■'- •■' v-iinr/aj 'i^:!? m!;:';! !oZ .-^-r-jri.? v;.w TtSffJ
..-:.; ., ; _ , . -: f . ; jL'r ] /^- ■•);■; J T'•7^•.;^^] o;i iv?;! lii jf)! :>ri
:■.;.'• .■■ I.:; -i! ^i!; .:: - ' •: J ;r;;7'''- ^r/'l .;^')7() ^w'^iin:
.- " ■.;•{ '::^'tT,> '_-'!; L- :v:!- ■>■■■ 'jn ly^U.-:<\ ,/JfD lisb^D ;■/ !' '.■/■;/ -. OIL- 'I I .rjivr'-io\^ ''■:> J;^:;/;fi:!ifo^, iollm
,VJr' •;'•>■) -i:JVf;;:>r( OJ f-i'tiM:; -rl -iff i;1^0t^i;TI «iHj l^jlA
-•lo't ■; i i:-..tf-i'fj'i :i"''l^ . ,• ilr.rn'-j li.d' n: h:iuoJ;j ffofrfw b.:a"rrj;t.>: ■;;; non?/ ,-' 's 'lUn' f.-'.-M'Mi^. giilviiiy rfi-w b5'/?oI
(iJrtfi b:j:i ;,•.;:!? ' 'm' :>tl.F .ri;!,: ib:A^ -'?• rl^ijijb •-■•' r?;;:!q 3^7 ■^;; ::iil Xm: 'ttf' M\::\)y\[ o3 qizj b ohrrn ^rf
:-f .(f::_ __. . . 'fl
-7i ■;'•:; ' srf ,d88i ,ior;m?0'3Q "to njnon.
• ;!■■ ^ ■
hi,
Ti:;ri:l to Joo[do -^fiT ..:-.->rnr;f 'nor.lq t>rl.t ai >Ijtov/ (
I ,. ov;! ?)iij Jtibflifw nib ^Hi moil blo-g lo ?-:ihiUi.s^ si
140 THE FAMILY OF MAGKXNIS. • : H
water, and it is pronounced a successful machine. But not meeting with the success in mining which they antici- pated, they soon returned to Iowa, and again resumed farming. And for the last few years he has lived in the town of Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he is engaged in a boiler shop.
Like his five brothers? his career has been a check- ered one, and he has had many rough experiences in the mountainous regions of Colorado, Utah, California and Arizona. He spent nearly the half of his life in the gold mines of those states and territories, but for- tune never smiled upon him. Such has been the luck of many others, and he cannot claim to be alone in the fruitless search for the precious metal. His life and ad- ventures, if written out in full, would make a story more thrilling in its details than any dime novel yet published. He has issue as follows:
i. Sarah L,, by first marriage, b. July 6, 1867. Resides with her father at Missouri Valley, Iowa.
By second marriage:
z. Eliza J., b. June 12, 1879.
it. James A. G., b. October 19, 1880.
m. William H., b. March 23, 1882.
iv. John F., b. January 2, 1884; d. in infancy.
V. Rosebell, b. September 10, 1885.
No. 16.
JOSEPH BREAD V MEGIXNESS,*^ (Benjamin, 5 James,"* Samuel, ^ James, -John Brian, ^)b. in Bart Town- ship, Lancaster County, Pa., April 21, 1838; m. Mary J. Debolt, in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, June 22, 1858. She is a native of Fayette County, Pa.
.HJxrvTHOAJ/: ''{o 7.111/- /.-I -^in c^k
30U is'/d .tMUv\:-}::i: U^\''r'.o:)OU' i^ -rjonijoiuyia m Ji bv ■ "■■■ ■
h-ffH'i:::;-: :nr;y/, bfifi ,iiv/<''T o; L/a:nnl';?"i not', vi^rfj ,bo3£q
■:jr::t r;i b^vU f<Kii ad -vT::-;v -.vjli '</;i m;?j "0\ >:;;/: "*
OCT • '. .
..■ ..■.j>i...; , .1 • >-.:^ l!p!!,n /fii.r* Li^il ^/:if -if! L';!;. ,?irO h'^T'>
-],■/: f;M.!^ yti: -;;i:i .^.".Mi; r.i:y-i.yyvi -jryj ^oi li'jiy.'i? :~oiy: ■■ ■>> .\:i r'ij:-?' ,'.'■, i\ tii J;!'.' rj-a^'iTvy li ,c
.■pfiL'Uii rii b -,1.88! ^i vieunt?{. .o' .\jj
.£881 ,oi ladmsjq^S .d ,ii.i .jcwl .u
.81 .o>l
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 141
He emigrated to Illinois with his parents in 1S43, ^"^ afterwards accompanied them to Council Bluffs and Flor- ence, a small town on the western bank of the Missouri. His boyhood days, therefore, were spent west of the Mis- sissippi and on the plains. In 1855 or 1856, he returned east and remained about a year with his relatives, and attended school one winter in Jersey Shore, Pa., while staying with an elder brother. The next year he re- turned to the west and located in Iowa. He learned the trade of a plasterer and became an expert workman.
Soon after the breaking out of the civil war he en- listed in Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, and served principally in the Southwest. He was se- verely wounded in the left thigh and leg at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River, Arkansas, April 30, 1864, left on the field and fell into the hands of the enemy. He was confined in the rebel prisons at Princeton and Camden. Leaving the latter place on the ist of Octo- ber, 1864, he reached Shreveport, La., on the 7th, and Tyler on the 14th. Here he was held a prisoner in camp until the 14th of February, 1865, when he was paroled and sent to the mouth of Red River. The Union mili- tary authorities here received him and sent him to New Orleans. On the 20th of March, 1865, he was fur- loughed and started for home, where he arrived the lat- ter part of the same month. In a short time he was ordered to Camp Benton, St. Louis, and then to Daven- port, Iowa, where he was discharged as a paroled pris- oner May 25, 1865, on account of the war having closed.
While wounded and in the hands of the rebels he suffered much. He was compelled to march 360 miles when hardly able to do so, which greatly aggravated his wound and prevented it from healing as soon as it other- wise would have done.
U.l .Y/lOTaiiJ a/: A 'A\:.)lil<-> r:Tl
■*:•: " ' ' ' : d\ ;!■■..( •
•o.;-y > ... A ^^'h ^^, . _ .._..,
liifrj ,<ij^ 'jff) ,'io , ;.„[ ,1 ;o<:.f •:>•/■ yTf{R h'jrfofirt •>;{ ,fc.?>8i .fad
(■:>:(;:rq >h'j/ 3.(f i;i::>riv. ,p_d3i ,7ii>r,, . , ... ,. . .....j
-rlirt! fioin' J 'j.'.'T ..'"7vi/i b'^M to rfrijofi' ^f^t «* ■f'f'>^ ^hr 'U'AA o:J rtnii in'j?: bt;/. rniri bu>vbrj.'n ^i^rl
U5V/ '^ii -araiJ Jiorifi « itI .d:fnom umss srlj io iJBq t3J
d ^i: i 9tU ai b
.iiaoi) -;vi-ii UiJO'/v :^_:i=-
142 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. *'•'■
When he reached home he resumed farming, having previously purchased a large and fine body of land on Mosquito Creek, near the village of Weston. On this farm he has been very successful in raising corn, the yield some seasons being very heavy and of a fine quali- ty. A few years ago he acquired another fine tract of land in Northern Nebraska, by remaining on it and cul- tivating it a sufficient length of time to receive a title from the government.
Joseph Bready ]\Ieginness and wife have issue as fol- lows:
i. Alice Celinda, b. April i8, 1859, in Gamer Town: ship, Pottawattamie County, Iowa; m. James H. Shields, of New York, April 19. 1881, and resides at Weston, Iowa, where Mr. Shields is engaged in the grocery business. They have issue:
1. Pearl Shields, b. October 6, 1884; d. Au-
gust 4, 1886.
2. Hazel Shields, b. July i, 1889.
ii. Eliza, b. January 22, 1861, in Garner Township; m. Samuel Roberts, of Hazel Dell Township, Janua- ry 11, 1885, and resides on a farm. They have is- sue: , .^, , ;, ;,^ •,:,',
I. Mary Roberts, b. January 7, 1890.
Hi. Frank, b. in Garner Towmship, March 30, 1863. Single, and lives with his parents.
iv. Irene, b. December 12, 1865, in Hazel Dell Town- ship; m. J. T. Farrell, of Illinois, January 21, 1881. They live in Gordon, Nebraska, engaged in the restaurant business.
V. Charles, b. April 22, 1869; d. September 23, 1870.
.giVLv:.riOAK '-fo 'yMitaah hut s:|.r
i • ... '^iiH brifi '3^^:>J .■.; i ' • ■• r; ■• .' ■ j/.;^ viy-: n
I
-^o": r.c "Hvig;^! ■jv/?:' ::^icv '"(jj- ^^::;]n:;;;:v^'' v lu,'^..' 1 Hqij'^o'f^ .11 .-iv !{>[ .fa ;r--;;or /.::'i;;.;0 J :M.inr..j;fr,v',alioT .qirfd
-;iwc'; ■' ' .'si
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. l/[%
No. 17. :
BENJAMIN MEGINNESS, Jr.,^ (Benjamin, ^ James,'* Samuel,^ James, - John Brian, ^) b. October 13, 1840, in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. Han- nah Braden, a native of Fayette County, Pa., in Iowa, • Se^ptemher 7, 1861, and died of cancer of the lower lip ' December 9, 1888. His sufferings were long and severe, but he bore up under his affliction with wonderful calm- ness and resignation, and died peacefully a few minutes after the arrival of a favorite brother from Denver. For days he had anxiously awaited his coming, and fre- quently enquired after him, although so enfeebled that he could scarcely make his wishes known. When he 1 arrived and greeted him on his bed, he recognized him, . rose up greatly pleased, then fell back exhausted and f soon expired. ' l;: . x •..:' .'-ipir. ■•'■
As he was less than five years old when his parents • moved west, he was virtually raised in the western states '' and territories, and endured all the hardships and suffer- ings to which the early emigrants were subjected. When ■;■ but a small boy he drove an ox team across the plains ■■ and throug-h the burning sands of the deserts to San Ber- .1 nardino, California, and back again. On his long and weary journeys in those early days of emigration, and / roughing it on the plains, he saw some very hard times, v. and often almost despaired of getting through safely. . Various tribes of Indians were encountered, but he never i had any trouble with them as they passed to and fro. He became quite familiar with the manners and customs of the roving bands, and learned the peculiar habits of white men on the plains.
Having driven an ox team across the plains in the very beginning of that mode of transportation, he be- •
■;i;l!..') ln'rrjbnij-'f: s\i:-'/ rr,n:nh']F. fUti isb.'nr .tu .nod 5>rt 7UQ
,!inr[ hosinyo^'jt 3fl ,b-->a air' H'-i (iinf byJ^Trsi has bavhifi biri: Loinr' i:\iY.3 :Joi^i II'jl rtarii ,h'^«iii>Iq
•if 3ffJ ^rto-; ji; m;;i>-l xo ni; ■yroi'o 3ff vod ilcraa fi iud
jtir (:
.(•:j bfJi- #%'l^ SB
no iii>j
(;.,.' --.' J' I
144 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. - 4,'
came inured to the hardships that white men were called upon to endure, and was soon as tough and bronzed as an Arab of the desert. He was only about twelve years old when his mother died at Council Bluffs in 1849. -^^' ter returning from his long and weary journey to San Bernardino, California, he settled in Hazel Dell Town- ship, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and there he married his wife. He soon after purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming, an occupation which he followed to the close of his life.
Soon after the breaking out of the war he enlisted, December 21, 1S63, in Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, under Captain Gardner, and straightway en- tered the service in the Southwest. At the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River, Arkansas, April 30, 1864, he received a wound in the left side, but soon recovered and entered upon duty again. In the attack on Spanish Fort, near Mobile, he received another slight wound. He participated in the campaigns of the Southwest and saw much severe service.
At the close of the war he was mustered out at New Orleans, August 10, 1865, and immediately returned to his home and family in Iowa, and resumed agricultural pursuits.
Benjamin ^leginness was a good citizen, and greatly respected in the Township where he lived. Until he was attacked by disease, he was a strong, robust man, and able to endure great fatigue. His ailment, which was similar to that which caused the death of his grand- father, November i, 1839, soon sapped his vitality and rapidly undermined his constitution. He was stricken in the full vigor of manhood, and died at the compara- tively early age of forty-eight. During his illness he had the warm sympathy of all who knew him, and nothing
s---
.PAWAR^yAU K) WMV.Al. HUT ^^I
ii .';.tio aiow ii-jiit '.iihhf/ i^tlj >(]rd«hi/;rl ailJoi brruni •ymno
!H c] 03 yycrrwof yi/-'.:»v,' htw; -j.^iT'-.' 2ir{ i\ioii ,;r.'An'.!i^:n isi
"j b3v/oiio'l sil.ji:;irfw nonr>qjiOj<'» ni; ,j}'
,|.d8i ,fj>; fiiaA .Hcyuhih/. .lavi^l 3fth'ii>8 ,vM5H '^■
03 -ivr.v bun ,^d8i ,01 Jt-.n-o?'/-. ,fnii3hO
u-ji.\iui-:'j'i brri. ,.!jwoI fir 7!'
-c
wjj . .' . , to
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I45
was left undone that would better his condition or ad- minister to his comfort. His death was deeply and sin- cerely mourned, for all felt that one of the best and most useful men in the township had fallen.
His widow and unmarried children occupy the home- stead, and their only son, John C., carries on the farm.
Benjamin Meginness and wife had issue: " •• ; i"5:->i.':, '
i. Eliza N. Meginness, b. August 5, 1862, in Hazel Dell Township; ra. William J. Hutchison, of the same township, Nov. 29, 1885. He is a farmer by occupation. They have children :
1. John Benjamin, b. February 21, 1887.
2. Ruby, b. June 2, 1888: d. the same day.
3. Raymond, b. May 11, 1890.
n. Sarah, b. March 30, 1864; m. Freeman W. Mene- ray, of Crescent, Iowa, March 20, 1883. He is a nurseryman by occupation. They have issue:
1. Luemma Adelia, b. January i, 1886.
2. Albert Oscar, b. Nov. 2;^, 1887,
m. John C, b. December 14, 1867. Farmer by occupa- tion and lives with his mother. Single.
iv. David, b. February 3, 1868; d. February 4, 1868. V. Dora, b. June 26, 1870. Lives with her mother. Single. '^■^''"'
vi. Luemma, b. May 26, 1872. Lives with her mother. Single.
No. 18.
MORRIS McGINNESS, -5 (James, -^Samuel, 3 James, 2 John Brian, ^) b. January 9, 1828, in Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. Miss Sarah A. Swinehart, of Quarry- ville, Lancaster County, February 28, 1854. She was born July i, 1832.
-his TO noUihnoo ■r'.rA y^U'y^ fifj'ow imU *»«r»5ftti •aif. hm.. viq-job c.r. .v
.ij.
, • '.ct ti(I.i no p.^nTc:") ,.0 /f'ic*| ,r'\."^, yiijo jfofli L
f..,.,.r7 ,.: . ■; .fj ^^^.., . '•' , vi:;.! .T
■.:^ . W .in I
: U'.i-tbluio ^^VBfl vyr(T ,. j'*
I
...;*. .;; c Jiw aavij .s^8i ,di xhM .d .ivr
»
146 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. "..j/
Morris was only about eleven years old when his father died and Junius Marshall was appointed his guar- dian and took him to live with him. The farm of the latter adjoined that of Morris' father. Before reaching his majority he was apprenticed to James P. Russell, of Georgetown, to learn the trade of a saddle and harness maker, but as his tastes inclined him to farming, he never followed it.
Soon after marriage he engaged in farming, and he has followed that occupation to the present time. He has re- sided in York County, Pennsylvania, as well as Har- ford and Baltimore Counties, Maryland. He is now the owner of a farm of 286 acres in the latter county, and he carries on farming on a large scale. His farm is located about three and one-half miles northeast of Parkton, a station on the Northern Central Railroad. Postoffice, Shane. Issue:
i. Martha Rebecca, b. April 9, 1S55 ; d. August 23, 1864.
ii. William Franklin, b. August 12, 1856; married Miss Ellen Virginia Grove, of York County, Pa., Jan. 4, 1 88 1. They have issue:
1. Cynthia Odell, b. November 7, 1886.
2. Nellie Sarah Jane, b. December i, 1S90.
They live in Baltimore County, Mar>'- land, and he follows the occupation of a farmer.
in. Howard B., b. November 12, 1858. Unmarried. Re- sides in Baltimore County, Md. Occupation, farmer.
iv. George W., b. February 19, 1861. Unm. Resides in Baltimore County, Md. Occupation, farmer.
V. Morris Elmer, b. June 16, 1864; d. August 12, 1865.
;lff ,,, • . . . >::. . . .-! i^.^l'^.t^l kill .:.i. ,-^..kI
;:r;f :>fl bjiL ,;^nri;-;/:t f^ J.^o'^o^n':; ofi -.^-.i-hmni :i>fiJi ifooS -OT <f;ii oil .^cr. ' .'r. ■3^-:- .'<■.; ojIt o:! iroiK^qi.r •:■ J~!ij bsv/oliol -u\'. rn I'vv; -.:■ ,r;r:i;7J7^un^*l , /Jr;j;oO >!-;Y fri babra :?4ij ^^''i^ :' :-*ii .'inriv',/'''." ,<L>:Jri;jo'^ ■jionn !:t;^I i'nij biol
.,:;.'J;r<:^o-i .hftoiIifjJT I/:-T^r;>0 r; JOii; !-/Vl ffiJ no notlBiz
«^il/„ ['jiTTraii ,t>;;'' J .ii S>ir^,nA ,0 ,i!ii>!nr.T'I iCbill'V/ .u
•■•i>--i .!v;>^i „f.
x<u':-i 1 ladoiaoaQ .d ,i)t!t»I de-rt-R iHBZ s
T
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 147
vi. Mary Catharine, b. July 26. I S66. Unm. Lives with her aunt, Mrs. Martha S. Day, at Prospect, Har- ford County, Md.
vii. Hannah Ehzabeth, b. August 3, 1868. Married Benjamin F. Koler Nov. 26, 188S. By occupa- tion he is a coachmaker and blacksmith. Resides at Shrewsbur>-, York County, Pa. They have issue:
I. Grace Day, b. November 7, 1S89.
viii. Tidings Miller, b. August 2, 1S71. Lives with his parents and is employed on the farm.
ix. Sarah Luella, b. April 16, 1S76. Lives with her parents.
No. 19.
WILLL-VM WILTSHIRE .McGINNESS/' (James,-* Samuel,^ James,- John Brian, M b. March 31, 1830, in Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. Sarah Emily Dre- non, of Georgia, at "Yankey Hill," Butte County, Cali- fornia, August 29, 1861, and d. April 10, 1873.
He was the second son of James McGinness and Han- nah Miller, his third wife, and was raised in Lancaster County. As soon as he was old enough he learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he followed for a livelihood. A few years before i860 he emigrated to California, where, as stated above, he married his wife in 1861. The country being new at that time, there was much building going on and he found ready employment, but he died at a comparatively early age, leaving issue as follows:
i. Hannah Ann, b. April 11, 1865; d. October 12, 1865.
lib', rlr'ri'j b^6i
'■> ..:.' ; ^^^HX^^ia'.!' ""^ ■■TJIV/ l-(/JJJIW ;! ; : ,.i rio-ijfil'': .';f ■' i]_ - ,;-m::.i - ,f-3f;ni£8
-yrC /l;;':,'i ihv- -.-^ .ni ; .tSl ,yjniJo'J iiosrori/ij ,riifii3ioD •IIb'J .YJnr.'oJ -jj;.'.;:! ''.ffiH 'n-Anp/i in ,crT.p •■>0 "io ,non
-.■r':H bcB er-i'^nniAjoV >.:5r!jii(_lc .'to-* f/ruo-J^ =!f.'] iuiw aH
;. .- . • ■- ..-. , , ,. . . . , !£•> •' " ■-•' '^.li
•eld?! ,ri -ztKfoioO .h ;?dfci ,ir IhqA .d ,afiA dsncfiH .
148 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. : i .
//. Ellen Agnes, b. September 16, 1S66; m. Andrew Hamilton Canterbun- June 29, 18S4. They have children:
1. Florence Irene, b. September 22, 1885.
2. Frankie May, b. July 18,1887.
3. Ina Lena, b. March i, 1889.
4. LawTence Andrew, b. February- 28, 1891.
They reside near Copay, Yolo County, California. By occupation Mr. Canter- bury is an orchardist. Hi. Alice Irene, b. Feb. 23, 1S69; m. John E. Zumalt, of Solano County, Cal., Ma}' 6, 1889. They have one child, Daniel Edward, b. Aug. 8, 1890. They reside near Oroville, Butte County, Cal. By oc- cupation Mr. Zumalt is a miner. iv. Willie Newton, b. Dec. 8, 1872; d. March 9, 1873.
Mrs. Sarah Emily McGinness m., second, Thomas Francis Malgin, September 21, 1S73, of Cherokee, Butte County, California. They have issue:
1. Mar>' Frances, b. January 13. 1877.
2. Ruby Belle, b. November 13, 1879. Mr. Mal-
gin is a farmer by occupation.
No. 20.
MARTHA SWIFT McGINNESS,^ (James,* Sam- uel,^ James,- John Brian, ^) b. February 20, 1833, in Colerain, Lancaster County, Pa. ; m. John R. Day, of Harford County, Md., December 10, 1868, and settled at Prospect, in that county.
Mr. Day was b. January 30, 1829. He was a carpen- ter and farmer by occupation, and lost his life in the great flood at Johnstown, May 31, 1889. The circum- stances of the sad aSair were as follows:
.;>!>! ;iH,) AM HO VJIKA''! HRT 8|!,T
//Jimo'J oJoY ,vr>qoQ if-;:; t,ii.>;^.ri YadT
■'■•.'Hfju £ ^i :frx::jr.tr;S ;-jff»ai ovcrf (an'T .Birno'lilfiD ,xsnuoO
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I49
Toward the latter part of May, ]\Ir. Day, in company with his daughter Grace, left home for the purpose of visiting Mr. Henry Robinson and family, at Saltsburg, Indiana County, Pa., they being old friends of the fam- ily. They reached their destination in safety, and after a pleasant visit, started to return on the 31st of May. It had been raining incessantly for twenty-four hours, and the streams were all greatly swollen. They boarded the Day Express at Blairsville Intersection and pro- ceeded as far as Johnstown. Here the streams were found to be so high and rapidly rising that the train was brought to a halt a short distance east of the Johnstown station. Washouts were reported ahead, and it was not deemed safe to proceed. Here the train stood on the track from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m., when the mighty volume of water from the broken dam came rushing down the valley with irresistible force and overwhelmed them in the twinkling of an eye. Before the avalanche of wa- ters came, the passengers had manifested great uneasi- ness, and many left the train and clambered up the side of the mountain and escaped. Mr. Day is reported by the survivors to have shown great calmness while they were l}'ing on the track, and comforted them with the assurance that there was no danger. Mrs. Towne, of Washington, D. C. , was on the illfated train, and was in conversation with Mr. Day while they were waiting at East Conemaugh. She afterwards wrote of the affair as follows: " I talked much with them. Grace looked pale and nervous, not with fear, but with anxiety about her mother, knowing she would expect them that day. Mr. Day was calm and feared nothing except delay. We were some hours there together. The bursting of the dam was talked about by the passengers. Mr. Day said the Pennsylvania Railroad would not leave them there if there was danger. I proposed that they should
(J|.I .YH()T31H a'AK V5K)IHO ?.TI
: ,;,;;yv/ ... . .b'tJtJC,.
v3xFj i.M'irfv/ >>^^;/ir;,'' -^ ''.uv^ nwo'W'' jj-zj.;! o:J ?TOviv7ua driJ
^riv/ I'm;/, jiiinl ' rf? no afiv/ ..D .Q
iX .ivili^noi sigrfi K'liJOfl on
b.!noxIc. V
150 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS. .I.-.:
join me and we would go to some house on the hill till next day; he said no, but that he would assist me if I so desired to go. Grace thought they had better go, yet if there was a possibility of getting on home she would like so much not to disappoint her mother. Just then the shrill shriek of a steam whistle startled me, and I sprang to my feet exclaiming: 'What does that mean ?' ' It means, ' replied Mr. Day, 'that we shall move on.' But seeing people running as if in danger, I sprang out of the car alone and ran towards the hill with the crowd. The first time I looked back the place was swallowed up, and I very likely heard his last words, ' It means we shall move on.' Poor man, he little thought it meant to eternity!" --.'i ':■■•;:,'...;'•• > .: : .:' ■•'- ■■■■■ •^--< ••
Others say that when the whistle blew the danger signal, ]\Ir. Day came out on the platform of the car, and seeing the mighty torrent bearing down on them, turned back for his daus^hter. She divined the danger, and exclaiming, "Oh Pa!" rushed after him. He seized her in his arms and tried to cross to the hillside, but she fainted and fell in the torrent. He quickly threw his coat off and tried to save her, but in a moment they were engulfed and lost!
The body of Grace was found next day near the rail- road station, but as there was no one there to identify her, it was soon buried and the grave marked. In the meantime Mr. Robinson came from Saltsburg and had the grave opened, when he identified Grace, and had her remains sent to his home. Mrs. Day, the wife and moth- er, had supper waiting for them that night, but they came not. The table sat as "it had been prepared, all night, and as time passed her anxiety increased. Still no tidings. Rumors of a great disaster flew thick and fast. Finally hope fled and she resolved on sending
il'ij [fiii -jrii) jro 0'U;o:! .u'^o;. o1 op MiiO"// jv/ JiiiL jui tifoj : -il; t;-;i.i[ .igritofit lOJl l^iiuactji.'-ib o! Jon JinMr o^: 9>(il
•^♦•T.iv,' v-j/ij Jir..irLfO:/i >- ;;■ jtio' ,-T:>r! -.-^v/^'-; oi bai^iJ L -a
■v::ni ^•'nr.isVvN ^rb /.gG j'j'I/! .gmocl ^ifl nj jr? •];;;fbr;3?. ao ba/Io.^^n )ffg brtis haft xfori '{ffenri
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I51
some one to search for their bodies. She called for her brother Morris McGinness and begged of him to proceed to Johnstown and make a search for the lost. . He made hurried preparations for the journey,- but owing to the broken condition of the Pennsylvania Railroad he was compelled to take the Baltimore and Ohio, and go via Washington and Cumberland, which made the journey much longer. He reached Johnstown in due season, when he soon learned that the body of his niece had been found and taken to Saltsburg, whither he proceeded with all possible dispatch. Here he had the remains placed in .a casket and shipped home by express via New York and Philadelphia. The sad affair caused a great excitement, and it is estimated that fully one thousand persons attended her funeral. Miss Day was a young lady of excellent standing in the community, and num- bered her friends by the hundred. She was a favorite among her associates, an active worker in the Church and Sunday School, and possessed a lovely Christian character that shone with a resplendent lustre wherever sire appeared. Cut off in the purity and bloom of her young womanhood, under the most distressing and ap- palling circumstances, it is no wonder that her sad fate has been the cause of so much sorrow, and that her memory is so fondly cherished by her friends.
The following poetic tribute by Caroline L. Love, a friend and associate, is as touching as it is beautiful and appropriate :
My.sterious Death ! Thy ways are dark,
No human eye can pierce thy gloom ; Thy shaft has struck a shinin<x mark
In womanhood's full and vigorous bloom.
Whf' death should strike this dreadful blow
Is not to us made clear and plain ; Save Death, she had no other foe, —
God's acts, we know, are not in vain.
Tj'A "rot b..ili.0 -.ni^ .r-jfood iljil) i:)\ ivyrr.-:.?. o.1 oco omo?.
■'•:inij) ■ -ill :ion!'A' .[,ri/,;T'i':ifiii J birL r
LTi.-';; -(J Mto ■-'Ms! .!i;jjj :•:>:.• -nii '-•> -; ■■•I;-r.^vf;l r; ... ._ : .ir/^"'- ;; r' m j v.
152 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. .
Her womanly form and pleasant foce
On earth we cannot meet atrain ; Who, let us ask. will fill the place
She nobly tilled without a stain.
'Twa.s not in sprincrtime's joyous hours.
Nor when the winter winds were high, , . • •^
But in the summer month of flowers,
'T was then the hand of Death too soon
Conveyed this loved one to the tomb. Prosyect, Md.
Her watch, chain and ring were found, identified and returned, and are now preserved by her mother as sacred souvenirs of an only daughter who perished in the great- est calamity of the age.
While at Johnstown ]\Ir. Morris McGinness made dili- gent search for the body of Mr. Day, but finding no trace, he was compelled to return home without it. Months passed away, and all hopes of finding the re- mains were about abandoned, when, in November fol- lowing, another rise occurred in the river and a number of bodies were washed out of the sand near the Compa- ny store. ^Ir. Robinson was called on again and assisted in identifying the remains of Mr. Day. His shirt, on being shown to his wife, was identified as her work, on account of the peculiarity of the stitching. And the clothier who had sold him a suit also identified the goods, so that there could be no mistake about the re- mains being those of Mr. Day. From the location of the place where the November flood disinterred the body, Mr. McGinness thinks that he must have walked over the spot many times when he was searching for it in June, five months before it was found. The body was buried under a great sand and gravel bar, and when found the coat was missing, showing that he had thrown it oflf in his desperate efibrts to save his daughter. The
. : /' !i-ii,j VI K^n ^inr.
■ ' /;?!!■;!>; '■•;:!. i'! ^jT'.v •-!:.■ ':.ir. o
.'.>;..).. r.ni.,i . U.i- '/.j'iut
■'. ■; 't: M .i-^Miv/ J'3;. _ , .
. .-. ..J:; bnj* .:.; .:.. . i ^j v/ i;^. ^ . , ; .
••fb ^' .'dJ "Jo
-■J^ ortJ Ji.'L<t£ on ad binoo 9i3ri<
ji-i j:
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, I53
remains were taken home to Prospect, Md,, and buried by the side of his daughter. The widow, bereft of hus- band and children, has caused a beautiful monument to be erected over their graves as a last tribute of her love and affection, and the memories of her loved and lost will always remain green in her heart.
" There is no death, 't is but a change,
From life to life more bright, - ;
And through eternity's vast range ■ .. ^■. ,; > ' ■, ■ We soar to higher light."
It is truly said that misfortunes scarcely ever come singly. Mrs. Day, the sorrowing wife and mother, met with a remarkable accident on the 12th of May, 1891, at her home at Prospect, Maryland. She was pumping water from a well at the barn. An insecure board gave way beneath her feet and she was precipitated to the bottom of the well, a distance of fifty-eight feet! Fortunately she was not stunned by the fall, and immediately realiz- ing that no one knew of her plight, she at once began to climb upward, and succeeded in reaching the top of the well with the aid of the pump stock as a brace to rest her back against. At this point her cries were heard, and help appeared at once, when she was rescued from her perilous position. She was found not seriously injured, with the exception of some severe bruises and a deep gash on one of her limbs. Her escape from death was a narrow one; and few persons, under the same con- ditions, would have succeeded in reaching the top of the well, when its great depth is considered, as quickly as she did.
Mr. and Mrs. Day had the following children:
t. Hannah Grace, b. October 4, iS6g; d. May 31, 1889. it. Cora May, b. April 18, 1871; d. May 14, 1873.
r"-T .Y^OTaiH civTA '^loi^co art
, , , -1 n'ts;! «?ni no J.
•oi 3rii y^{?!.''oji')i m hab^QrjiH bna
154 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ' ' ' -•
NO. 21.
WILLIAM McCrINNESS,5 (John/ Samuel,'' James, 2 John Brian/) b. March 24, 1804; m. Catharine Marshall, of Lycoming County, Pa., August 11, 1835; d. January 7, 1877, at Lock Haven, Pa. His wife was b. December 31, 1806; d. July 25, 1883, at Lock Haven.
William IMcGinness, the first son and fourth child of John McGinness and his wife Elizabeth Horn, was born and raised in what is now White Deer Township, Union County, Pa. His mother's maiden name was Conley. She m., first, a man named Horn, a miller by trade. He died in the latter part of the last century at White Deer Mills, leaving her a young widow with four chil- dren. Her father, James Conley, lived for many years on the ''Long Reach" of the river just west of Wil- liamsport. She married John :\IcGinness in 1798, who was several years her junior. . ...,_. ,..; ,,.. 1 ,,:
William was raised on the farm in White Deer. In those early times the farmers were obliged to send their wheat to market in arks, which were floated down the river to Columbia, and William made many voyages of this kind to dispose of the crop.
When he married ]\Iiss Catharine Marshall, in 1835, they settled on a farm in what is now Limestone, Mon- tour County. In 1844 he purchased a larger farm lying on the river, in Northumberland County, near what is now Montandon, in Chillisquaque Township. In 1847 he sold this farm and purchased what was known as the " Crownover farm," in Level Corner, Lycoming Coun- ty, Pa. Here he lived and carried on farming on an extensive scale for several years. About 1858 he retired from farming, and soon after settled in Lock Haven with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Prieson. Both he and his wife,
.1^ .OH
r-jr// aliv/ ^rli .b*1 ,ri"*;ji:i :iooj Ji5 ^^^'n;*?! ,\ viRuan}^ .b
\\ Ui ,f;,8Si .7-^i. -flr.'^ .h ;do8i ,17. ; ' ~ ,d
~i, , ..--.. ' - i- ,.,.-■■--.
rjofjjij ,([iii--f!wo'l' T')':;'. 1 3U1I/J voir gi Jisav/ ni nsrfjf.i diib
fcii^^v'^ 2;>;a/;.l^ .., - ,. jib
... , .97 ' -■ ' - ^-BW
.qoiQ 3fU io 3£oq^.;D
•niJoO ^riirtjoovj ,i5fno!J bvsJ ni /%imct 1
,g1iwai; l.,^i. jjl dJoS .i.
ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. . 155
and a daughter, died at the house of Mrs. Prieson, and they are all buried in Highland Cemetery. William McGinness and wife had issue as/ollows:
i. James, b. Januarj- 2=), 1837; ™- Miss Sarah Cowden, of L3'Coming County, Pa., November 28, 1S61. She was b. September 28, 1842. Some years af- terwards they settled on a farm in Howard Coun- ty, Iowa. Postofl&ce, Saratoga. Children:
1. Ida, b. February- 24, 1S63; m. James Lee r^\'^ Gibbons March 25, 1886, and they have
one daughter and a son, Edith Maud, b. February 8, 1887, and James I,., b. No- vember 29, 1889.
2. Herbert Benton, b. October 13, 1864; d.
August 18, 1865. ^^ 3. Rollo C, b. May 18, 1866.
4. Lena Irene, b. March 17, 1871; d. March
10, 1S72.
5. Walter M., b. July 25, 1873; d. October 26,
1874. ii. Sarah, b. October 7, 1838: m. Dr. Adolph Prieson June 21, i860. Dr. Prieson is a native of Avignon, in the South of France, where he was born Jan- uary' 28, 1829. They reside in Lock Haven, Pa., where Dr. Prieson, in addition to practicing his profession, conducts a large drug store. They had one daughter, Kate, b. October 17, 1861. She married William H. Klapp October 24, 18S2. He was b. June 25, 1862. Their first child, Adolph Prieson, b. April 22, 1883, d; February 9, 1884. The second, Sarah Matilda, b. July 20, 1885. 23. Hi. John Shields, b. December 9, 1840. Studied medi- cine and graduated in 1S64; m. Mar>' Caroline
Esenwine, of Lock Haven, Pa., March , 1869.
She was b. September 17, 1851. Reside in Lock Haven, Pa.
.7>10T?JH aviA '/iioi>ro axi
:.'.v.'olIol 'ii, '>n.->:i b/,fi aiiv/ iur;; r'-:fjaHft)oM
1 ;
;d8i .T
156 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. 1 <%
iv. Euphemia, b. December 11, 1844; d. October 2, 1845. 24. V. William H., b. September 21. 1845. Was married
four times. See sketch. Resides at Wiuterset,
Iowa. vi. Annie Lucinda, b. April 30, 1848; d. April 17, 1S65.
No. 22.
CATHARINE McGINNESS/ Qohn,* Samuel, ^ James, 2 John Brian, i)b. March 6, 1806, in White Deer Township, Northumberland County, (now Union); m. Joseph Spotts Rank September 30, 1S30, and d. Decem- ber 31, 1879.
Joseph S. Rank was born in White Deer Township, Union County, December 18, 1807. He is a descend- ant of Philip Rank, who was a resident of Earl Town- ship, Lancaster County, Pa., early in the last century, and whose parents came from Alsace in 1728. The next in line of descent was Philip Adam Rank, who had a son named Adam. In 1790 the latter removed to a farm which he bought in what is now White Deer, Union County, and there he died. He left a son named Daniel, who was born in 1789, and died in 1854. He left five sons and two daughters. The eldest of the sons was Joseph S., the subject of this notice. When he married Catharine McGinness the ceremony was performed by Rev. David Kirkpatrick, the famous educator, who so successfully conducted a classical school at Milton for many years. In 1836 he removed to Limestone Town- ship, Columbia County, (now Montour), where he has resided up to the present (1891) time, engaged in the oc- cupation of farming. They had issue (surnamed Rank) as follows:
i). .r.iu >i£ y/ .5f.<ii ,is ; . .d ,.H .vt .^.s
-ij'iiL -ojir! /J 'i' .dot " -" ' ■ •
-:;:-.■.>■;<.! ,b hnr. (0£?-l .€!^ :-*'.' r:ijjq-jc! >I[ib>a -iijnqci rt(pf:o{,
' ' -• - -T •'^•■j('I 3iisV7J n't riiod ??kv/ iin£>I .3 dqi>Kol[
i. 'Mitl Oi'iV/ ,.;«i3i-;-i iv.bA q:i;HH ^/iv/ :<n3DB'3b 'a 3nil iii
•n-'^ _; .■;! ;;«^.-L>r:::^-i
iioi efi
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I57
James Conley, b. October 3, 1831, in White Deer, Union County, Pa. Soon after reaching his ma- jority he went West, settled in Fillmore County, Minnesota, purchased land and became an exten- sive farmer. July 18, 1856, he m. Caroline Murphy. She d. November 6, 187S. They had:
1. Mar>' Catharine, b. June 12, 1858; m. Jer-
ry E. Stevens January 10, 1883; reside at North wood. North Dakota. By occupa- tion he is a farmer. Mr. Stevens was a member of the first Senate of his State. No issue.
2. Delphia Clarissa, b. August 22, 1861; m.
Henry W. Helm October 10, 18S2. They live in Chicago. Mr. Helm is Cashier for the Northern Pacific Railroad. No issue.
3. Lucy Ann, b. February 4, 1863; m. Edward
WiUiams March 21, 1886; resides at Au- rora, Brookings County, South Dakota. ^. . They have:
I. Nettie Caroline, b. November • ,_, 24,1888. 2. Paul Stevens, b. Octo-
: ber2i, 1890. Mr. Williams is a farm-
er and insurance agent.
4. Nettie Clay, b. March 25, 1867. Is a teach-
er b}' profession, and lives at Larrimore. North Dakota. She attended the Inter- national meeting of the Educational As- sociation at Toronto, Canada, July, 1891. Her route was by rail to Duluth, where she took an English steamer on Lake Su- perior to Sarnia, thence by rail to Toron- to. After the meeting she visited Mon- treal, the Thousand Islands, and Quebec. Then passed down into Pennsylvania and
/,[<Jl, J .10 -jd ,0; 8 5 ,'f'i Vl"(_ f
■•r.
.0
158 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
, visited relatives, when she returned home
'; . . the latter part of August by the same
route she came. 5. John Joseph, b. November 6, 1869. He
lives at North wood, North Dakota.
a. John McGinness Rank, b. July 11, 1833, in White Deer. He located in Central City, Colorado, where he m. Mary Murphy July 11, 1866, and d. July 23, 1878. His wife was b. in Jersey City in 1844. He left issue:
I. John M., b. December, 1867. I 2. Ida Elizabeth, b. November 22, 1869. Re-
i sides at Limestoneville, Montour County,
j Pa. By profession a teacher.
3. Loretta Letitia, b. Feb. 16, 1872. lyives \: at Central City, Colorado.
j. 4. Margaret Louise, b. October 8, 1874. Re-
j sides at Central City, Colorado, with her
mother.
zii. Daniel Webster Rank, b. February' 16, 1835, in White Deer. He was brought up on the farm. In 1S55 he entered as a law student with Robert Hawley, Esq., of Muncy, Pa., and was admitted April 24, 1859, at Williamsport, Pa. From there he went to Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pa., where he was again admitted and practiced there until Au- gust 31, 1 86 1, when he enlisted in Company D, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. On October 9th he was made Sergeant; on November i8th he was promoted to Sergeant Major, and on June 11, 1864, by order of the Secretary of War, was mustered back to July i, 1863, as First Lieutenant of Com- pany M, same regiment. On August 31, 1864, he was made Acting Assistant Adjutant General for the detachment First Brigade, Second Cavalry Di-
:'^M--,^i fi-jf ^ii .\'U\!)kO r.
7.;;' H:
(it''/- ' ' (: .- r hc^-rtf) "^rf
8^1
Oil •'■t'}d// ..e9
)o tjIvio Ycf
fl^J
I t.<.
X ^ /^;V / ^-^ ^^ x^
-J)
..^
\- 1
I
>> '
.»-*- s,--*
• ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I59
vision, then at Columbia, Tennessee, and was sub- sequently appointed to the command of the detach- ment to guard Sherman's line of transportation. He remained in this duty for some time, and com- manded the rear guard on the retreat from Chick- amauga. December 16, 1864, he was mustered out on account of ill health, not accepting a commis- sion as Captain which had been sent him. On his return he remained at home, unable to engage in any occupation until the beginning of 1872, when he went to Scranton, Pa., and followed his profes- sion there for ten years, during which time he was commissioned by Governor Hartranft District Attorney of the Mayor's Court, the only commis- sion issued by the Governor which had to be con- firmed by the Senate. In 1882 he returned to his former home in Limestone, and in the fall of 1884 he was elected District Attorney of Montour Coun- ty for three years. May 12th, 1875, he married Marj^ Catharine, daughter of Robert H. McKune, formerly Mayor of Scranton. She was born Jan- uary II, 1846, and died July 18, 1881. To this union two children were born, both of whom died in infancy. After serving his term as District At- torney of Montour Count}', he returned to his old home, and on the 29th of May, 1889, he was ap- pointed Postmaster at Limestoneville, Pa., and at this time (1891) is performing the duties of his ofl&ce.
iv. Hiram William, b. February' 24, 1837, in Limestone, and d. March 30, 1838.
V. Henry Clay, b. August 18, 1839; d. September 13, 1863.
vi. Elizabeth Catharine, b. October 2, 1842. Lives with her father. Unmarried.
9gl .VHOTStU av^A VllOiaO BTI
-sloifl'J r. ' 3rij no biLU-^ : ti
o
itOl'-'.! IjKfl il'.Md-
-*3iCii''< i-:u: OM,7.,j;n; i>x;r, . jiM
jd
Aid) o'V .iBHi ,'61 vlnT r ,ii V7cn
--T (?
l6o THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ' ■'.:
No. 23.
JOHN SHIELDS McGINNESS, M.D.,^ (William, ^ John,^ Samuel,^ James, ^ John Brian, i) b. December 9, 1840. He was raised on his father's farm in Lycoming County, Pa., and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1859 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. Prieson, his brother-in-law, while living at Level Corner. Attended one course of lectures in the Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadel- phia, session of 1860-61. When the war broke out the collegfe was closed. He then finished his education bv attending two full courses in the University of Pennsylva- nia, sessions of 1862-63-64, graduating in March of the latter year. In the meantime his parents had removed to Lock Haven, Pa., where he finished his studies with Drs. Prieson and Lichtenthaler. After graduation he entered into partnership with them in the practice of medicine and the establishment of a drug store.
After the second battle of Bull Run he went out as a volunteer Surgeon from Williamsport with Dr. Crawford and others.
On the 29th of August, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company B, 207th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for one year, or during the war. He was promoted, after exam- ination, in September, 1864, to Hospital Steward. In October he was recommended by Dr. Burg, Surgeon of the 207th, for promotion, and ordered to Point of Rocks, Md., for examination; but owing to a battle coming on he did not get before the board.
During Warren's raid into North Carolina Lee tried to intercept his return at Nottaway River, when the 207th, with other regiments, was ordered to join Warren and cut off Fitzhugh Lee. During this campaign Surgeon
J ffj itnc^t r:'T3'ftnl ?.!'{ i!'j [>-^.in ; cv/ sH .04.81 .r'L? f.rri hr,/f-:0'Ji Iit ,.ij'I ,(inuoO
\ ./. lO iniv/ :>r- >,)
■' ^/i ■ r
J.
-. ■ ... .11
■r/iii -j:: ^luir.v , .:.'■. ,:;. . ,1 oi
-■.- .... ., , .-/-[i^fi^r:--- ■ ' ' 'f\
\ ;o .'f :(-><: 'jrf.t riO • ■' - ■ '^ -r
Hi .i)ii.w9:Jci I : nf ,norJBni
t
no jirimoo fsljlBd n o) )^nrwo Jncf , loi ,.bM
Ir:
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. l6l
Burg was home on leave of absence, and the Assistant Surgeon being taken suddenly ill, the duty fell upon Dr. IVIcGinness of taking charge of the regiment. On their return the Medical Director, for service rendered, gave him a furlough and orders to report at Harrisburg for examination for promotion. He was examined on the 26th of December, passed, received a commission, and was assigned to the 199th Regiment, P. V., and sworn in as Assistant Surgeon on the 7th of January, 1865, at Chapman's Farm, near Richmond, Va., (Twenty-Fourth Army Corps). On the 21st of March following he was detailed to take medical charge of the looth New York Regiment and look after its sanitary condition, and he remained with this regiment until after the surrender of Lee. He participated in all the battles from Hatcher's Run to Appomattox.
On the morning of the 12th of April he was relieved from duty and ordered to report to the ^Medical Director, when he received instructions to go through the Con- federate armv and gret the sick and wounded readv to ship, and to accompany them back to Burkville Junc- tion, Va. Then he joined the 199th, and arrived in Rich- mond on the 22d of April. He was then detailed and assigned to take medical charge of the 39th Illinois Regi- ment. He also had medical charge of the Freedmen's Bureau.
On the i8th of June he was relieved from duty with the 39th Illinois, and ordered to report to headquarters for examination for promotion, passed, and was offered a position to go with Custer on the frontiers to fight the Indians. But on the request of his mother, and still having his interest in the drug business, he did not ac- cept, and was mustered out with the 199th at Richmond June 28, 1865.
TJ
if'::";i^r-y. :y;i-t !;il.r. .:'.'■..>•■.:'> tc :;V.-.'%)! !ia :;>i;'0;i .w;V7 'J^TifH
3/!v;-' Jr:j'jhn^'i ■■:^:>rr~i'ji: "! ■. ■%;!:;,-■■■'(' ',:v;'Iv;"^ ,j
^fij no hijiiifiTi;./;.- .-! ' ■ ■ i i^ r - :, -.. .■,^. tr; -k,; :, , y.'MiHs^y.^ Ju.i, .iio/'xrinifi'.)') -. i/ ■ .."'; ,;.■-'■'..■', -i:.: •:•!■' '"■ rf.'ds -.■'->•',';■: hi!,.' , 7 .\' .'/■-;■; : :■; ':.,;;■; .-r* : :■■*-:- -j, r-iiw t>. r o-'.i .'•{:;Air\ ' :■ /i • ; ■^'..' :U> ;;u::;i ;,.'-. ;;! .:-■'' ^f. ni ■:n.^'yf .. / i •--;. '-.i^! ;ij.:,';5 ,;■■•. "' ;i. /;;;•; -nji"!)
,'ir'.- 0-- '1 ;: !;:.i.' ';■■ :- ! :■ ■;, ' :;!') /-!■]';'_> /i^■vA
■'Tfi ,' v^-X .!.'.-■: --'i' v> ■.;>:•.-:- !;" ■jt''"3r:i ■';■!;■• -.' ifiilni^b
'!(.) ■: ;.h(i^'r; !i - jrr:) i:j":; ; i. !iJ ;':j '/: -'/f: ;v:-- ■'•''?"' : '.v.. .■ :
^.T '.'D'.-"- Jjt'hnitow b:n\ dj ••:' t^-jj i-ar vin '-^1
->:;: ;_ Jij'/^hi^H rj >i:.;y.' '.tj'!! /■•,;•■, JK^o,;. oJ , <i
'{}
b-rf'Tti..) >;;•','/ him ,h".^;;<' , -(orJofDoiq 'u»J •wil}hinm£y.^ idi -:?n to-n [t-b t>il ,.:c:'- ■.:.,.' ;.,tJ:'.' :;i{J rfi i;^:i-!-:».i''i ?>;'! ■••i';vf;?{
l63 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
He at once returned to his home in Lock Haven, Pa., where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and has followed it to the present time.
Dr. McGinness married Miss Mary Caroline Esen- wine, of Lock Haven, March — , 1869. She was born September 17, 1S51. They have:
1. William George, b. June 23, 1S70.
2. Lillie Lucinda, b. November 17, 1S72.
3. Henry Shields, b. April 27, 1877.
4. Edward Duke, b. July 22, 1880.
5. Maggie May, b. February' 11, 18S9.
No. 24.
WILLL^M HIRST McGINNESS, ^ (William, ^ John, * Samuel, ^ James, '^ John Brian, ^) b. September 21, 1845, ^" Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, Pa.
He was raised on his father's farm in Lycoming Coun- ty, Pa., whither he removed in 1847. Attended school at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. On the break- ing out of the rebellion he entered the three months' service. February 29, 1863, he joined the Forty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, as a private for three years. He was severely wounded May 6, 1864, in the hand and the shoulder, in the battle of the W^ilder- ness. Recovering from his wounds, he joined his regi- ment at Petersburg during the winter of 1864-5, ^"^ ^^^ some time performed duty in the trenches with his arm in a sling. While engaged in this 'duty he caught cold and suffered an attack of pneumonia. The surgeon gave him a certificate relieving him from duty, but he persisted in staying with his regiment. He served for a
■ >■,■*.!: ■•d''l 'ir,':'' ,';" T3'lin:3lq53 --': '-, -.1;;: .-; ^ ^a \.,r-!.'! .t
.iH (Vinr.fc/J
'J
. . . . . r-- ■ ■ - '^^
■ ■ '■jjI -".lib -^nli Tii b > t-
;ri 'uri , ,-'jjb n;f/j''t niiri -gnivfjilai 3
, [ ^:'~> :::■■ .i;:i.'-' M-r'. \\
■•i -il
t *;.
11/. H. McGINNESS.
\ ^'
\,
V
aaWVWua^A H Ml
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 163
while as Hospital Steward of the Forty-fifth Regiment. His regiment with the balance of the corps, (9th), guard- ed the railroad from Petersburg to Burkville Junction, but he followed up the army and was at the surrender at Appomattox. He returned to Richmond with his com- mand, and was mustered out June 17, 1865.
Soon after his return from the army he went to Illi- nois and engaged in farming. He married, first, Sarah M. Clark, of Ogle County, Illinois, at Rockford, Sep- tember 21, 1871. She was born in Trumble County, Ohio, in 1844, and d. September, 1S75. Married, .sec- ond, Eliza M Ray, of Ogle County, Illinois, on the i8th of October, 1877. She was born in 1847, and died in April, 1878. He married, third, Fannie Rank, of Lew- isburg, Pa., in February, 1S80, and she died in February, 1881, having been a wife but one year and one week. His fourth and last wife is Jennie Carroll, whom he mar- ried December i, 1885. She was b. February 20, 1852, in Pennsylvania. No issue. They reside at Winterset, Iowa, where Mr. McGiuness is engaged in farming and stock raising.
Issue, by his first wife:
i. Herbert, b. February 4, 1873. II. A daughter b. November, 1874; d. in infancy.
jdl .YHOTr'AH aw A VSIOIKO 8TI
■ -' ■ -^M H/ln-vJ'jo'l srfj 'Jo bTK"ws>jE 'f'" -: TT • . •>'■)''/ ;(5p) .<-:aTo:> 3f{.t "to 3on/ilfid -jiU i
; 3J;I
r Hi ■ title .i\'<ii fii. ladiiiai
;l-3:)'.v -^no Jitii Tr.'jv iMio jn'i oM'wf tfrxJ ^rrcvisn ,i88x
lalJY/ J-nIi c'lil yd .suael
JOHNSTON FAMILY OF COLERAIN. ^ •'_-
fp^HIS branch of the Johnston family came from Ireland near the close of the eighteenth cen- tury. I have not been able 'to gather much of the history of the head of the family, but thg,t his name was William there is not much doubt. On the fly leaf of an Irish almanac, printed in Dublin in 1757, and now owned by Mrs. Sarah Jack, of Colerain Town- ship, Lancaster County, Pa., I find this entry:
January 10, 1787. Received from William Johnston 13^, 13s. 4d. half pen- ny in full of all accounts and arrears of rent due by him the first day of May last.
[Signed.] Daniel McKinley.
Another entry in this curious old book reads:
Received from William Johnston the sum of six pounds, fifteen shillings and eight pence sterling in full of all rents and arrears of rent due for his holding in Ballylalor, until the ist of May, 1791. Given under my hand the 15th of May, 1792.
[Signed.] Daniel McKinley.
That these settlements were made preparatory to em- igrating to America is evident, for on another leaf of the same book is found this memorandum:
'u. ■ '..''An
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. . 165
Mark Johnston came to America in 1794, from County Antrim, Ireland.
It is believed that he was a brother of William, and died a few years after his arrival in this country, in Lan- caster County. He was a plain, unassuming man, and little of his history is now remembered. His wife was named Elizabeth Crawford, and she came of an old and respectable family in Ireland. Both are buried in the cemetery of Octoraro Presbyterian Church, as the Scotch Irish settlers of that period were nearly all Presbyterians, ■and many of them found a resting place in this old bury- ing ground after death.
William Johnston died about 1837 or 1838, and his wife Nancy, who survived him many years, about i860. They had several sons and daughters, and their descend- ants now live in Lancaster and Chester Counties. One of their daughters became the wife of James Sproul, an extensive iron manufacturer of that day. He owned one or two forges on Octorara Creek, besides several farms in Lancaster County. One of his sons, Charles M. Sproul, is a member of the bar of Lancaster, and resides in that city.
Mark Johnston and his wife Elizabeth had the follow- ing children:
1. i. Mary Ann, b. , 1793, in Ireland; ra. David March-
bank in 1816; d. March 31, 1837, in the 44th year of her age. Buried in the cemetery of the Union Presbyterian Church.
2. a. William, b. November 4, 1794, in Colerain, Lancas-
ter County, Pa.; d. November 2, 1877, aged 82 years, 1 1 months and 29 days. He m. Rebecca Griffith, and they emigrated to Wayne County, Indiana, about 1837. She died March 13, 1874, aged 76 years and 2 days.
^i:r'.,l xp ./"Micuo ^'tf:f ni ':.."■•'"; :•;(/; ■.'■':ifiB k'Myj'/ ',vt)t £ hoib b;ji; lA'i r!j;.:C' 'inr'.: t)?;-- iro: .h^.-lv/i;,!!,' .i!'
li.r ;.i!;. -^n:*-: ir;7::?v . -.MM,,) .:,;•:' iJ,ii:0 ■;3-'^ •!'-■ .'j''J^ ":i'^]-.i..:. ru,\_r nrDV'.l vron zltiR
!..! ;!:;-:ni ir.^-^ -?••<•- ;''^!':'^i.i .>'-.ii'i3 .(r';iioJi-0 no ;>.M^70i owl 10
:fT-)-fbIid.') ^fii
V,--— ' -i .1
.^£'JIJB.J .Mteit^foD J!! ;.C"! .♦- T. '^'^ ••'* •*
) ,}\-8) .fi rioij.lv; biiih anri .^f,8i tiiodB .Eniiibnl
1 66 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. i'- 7 •
Hi. Mark, b. , 179S; d. about i860.
iv. Sarah, b. , 1801; m. Benjamin McGinness; d.
, November, 1849, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
3. V. Elizabeth, b. , 1S03; m. Robert Beyer February'
20, 1834; d. February 26, 1873, in the 69th year of her age. z;i.' James, b. , 1805; d. young. '''''
4. vii. Susannah, b. April 9, 1807; m. Joseph Bready ,
1830; d. February 8, 1862.
SkKTCH No. 1.
MARY ANN JOHNSTON,'^ (Mark,Mb. , 1793,
in Ireland; m. David Marchbank , 1816; d. March
3^ 1837.
David Marchbank, the projenitor of this family, was born near Russell ville, Chester County, Pa., in 1792. He received his education in the common schools of the day, and being apt at learning, fitted himself to become a teacher, which calling he followed for some time. He also learned the trade of a blacksmith. When quite a young man he served in the war of 1812-14, and saw some service. He died August 7, 1849, i" ^^^ 57^^ Y^^^ of his age, having survived his wife twelve years. They had issue as follows (surname, Marchbank):
5. z. Samuel, b. December 7, 1817; d. July 14, 1846. Un-
married.
6. a. Robert, b. February 25, 1821; d. March 25, 1881. h't. Eliza Jane, b. , d. January 18, 1845, in the 24th
year of her age. She married Charles Long, and died leaving an infant daughter, which was named after her mother. The daughter grew to woman- hood and married Taylor Thompson, of Philadel-
.0681 iir:<<fjG .b .'H^*;^! , -• \\ ..ifir.l''. ."iVj
' ' --vjft^^ ru'^'cS ..1: ;r,0'-. , a'. ^iU\:'.Ks\':i .<; ,^ •
\-jiVV .C'lii'^y ♦jvf'iwj -ulirvv siri h'.ivivTr;?. ^jnj/p.f
.5&8i ,^t ifo-x^l.'t Ji ,11?? ,r> yisuiHo'I .d .iiMoSi .u .d
•: ,b-3L'T .I'D
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 167
phia, about 1873. She is now the mother of a daughter named Mabel. Mr. Long afterwards married Mary Mullin, and died about i860, leav- ing two sons and two daughters. 7. iv. William J., b. Julj' 19, 1822; d. August 5, 1871. V. Mary Ann, b. Januar^^ 24, 1S24; m. Joseph Ecklin May 4, 1847. ^^ "^^'^s of English origin, his grandfather having come from England. Mr. Ecklin was born at White Rock, May 15, 1814, and died December 15, 1890, at the homestead on the W«st Branch of Octoraro Creek, Colerain. His father, W,hose name was John, died January- 16, 1 85 1, nedr Penn Hill. By occupation Mr. Joseph Ecklin was a farmer. He left issue as fol- lows:
I. Eliza Jane, b. February' 22, 1848; d Au- gust 14, 1 85 1. ••''• 2. Samuel Howard, b. March 22, 1S50; mar- ried Kate St. John Richaman in 1885. They have two sons.
3. Laura Ann, b. Julj^ 11, 1853; d. December
13. 1S55.
4. Anna Mary, b. May 14, 1856; m. Eli Mil-
ler in 1883. She is the mother of one son and two daughters. Mr. Miller is engaged in farming, and resides on the farm which was owned by James McGin- ness, Esq., (grandfather of the writer), where he died in 1839.
5. William James Wellington, b. July 8, 1858.
Resides at home and conducts the farm. Single.
6. Joseph Calvin, b. August 4, 1864. Fol-
lows farming. Single. vi. John Yates, b. July 3, 1825. Resides with his sister. Mrs. Ecklin. Single.
\'di .■^s\o-::-'.iH a /I A >:;;); wo cVn
i^V.- .
■■:': \:-\'y~\.c''-t . L.I'; .,f. t>;c,<: i'.>n .ri~',':i-^uf:') iiv.':* onr; ;::'r
'JdJO./f I
l68 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. if\
vii. Joseph D., b. April lo, 1827; d. March 31, 1883, in the 56th year of his age. Married Sarah Hall, of Old Chester. She died June iS, 1890, aged 55 years, 3 months and 20 da^-s. They had six chil- dren, two sons and four daughters, one of which, a son, is deceased. Mr. Marchbank" followed ho- tel keeping for several years, and at one time kept the Henr\' House, Danville. i\fter leaving
there in , he removed to Ottowa County, near
Delphos, Kansas, and purchased a farm, and there they both died, as already stated. viii. Rachel Jemima, b. March 17, 1829. Never married. Makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Ecklin. ix. Nancy Bell, b. December 25, 1831; m. Ivan Gilbert; d. June 6, 1863, at Christiana, Lancaster County, • leaving an infant daughter named Hannah Ger- trude. Mr. Gilbert married again, and still lives near Christiana. His daughter, by his first wife, who never married, lives with him. X. David James, b. March 29, 1833; d. September 24, 1859. Never married.
No. 2.
WILIvIAM JOHNSTON,'^ (Mark,i) b. November 4, 1794; m. Rebecca Griffith April i, 1824; d. November 2, 1877. His wife was b. IMarch 11, 1798; d, March 13, 1874-
The parents of William Johnston* came to America the same year that he was born, probably about the mid- dle of the year. Soon after landing, they made their
* According to entries in old books which belonged to his parents, the name was spelled "Jonn.ston." His son Samuel, however, has dropped the letter t, spelling it simply "Johnson."
,iijl:fv/ ^i"! .,■ •■■ ■ ■ •;^f;;M;;;, ',;•'■'; f^iu: ?:(;•'..-; owl ,;jy;]
"■•:■■ .'I lO-t'l /', ,^>!'' > .': >'-:^n V7lr:3H '^rft jqi;:!
1.;^;] ■[■:-..v -i-'/!; ,h3i-v,.M:T ri7i?;M^'r(\v
^ I , I i ^ : r:^ ,11 i^ . , - .-
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 169
way to Colerain Township, Lancaster County, where they settled. Just when they died is now unknown, but it was probably some time between 1820 and 1S30.
William, their eldest son and second child, was reared in Lancaster County, and he devoted much of his time to agricultural pursuits. He did not marry early, being almost thirty years of age when he married Rebecca Griffith, of Chester County. Their only child, a son, was born in 1825, ^° Lancaster County, where they then resided.
In the spring of 1837 they emigrated to Indiana, trav- eling overland by wagon, and settled in Wayne County, a few miles south of the little town of Milton. The settlements were sparse at that time, and as the land was generally heavily timbered with beech, maple and other hard woods, it required much labor to open up farms. William Johnston purchased a tract of forty acres for $700, and went to work to found a homiC. In a short time he bought twenty acres more, which adjoined, for $400. Some years afterwards his son purchased one hun- dred acres adjoining, for which he paid $3,000. That made a full quarter section. A few years after this he purchased forty acres more, which adjoined on the west, paying at the rate of $52.50 per acre. His last purchase, some years later, consisted of a farm of ninety acres ly- ing about one mile south of the town of Milton, for which he paid $6,000. He now owns 290 acres in all, and the homestead farm consists of 200 acres. The prices paid for each tract are given to show how the land has appre- ciated in value since the first purchase was made in 1S37. All of this land was originally owned by the govern- ment, and was sold for $1.25 per acre. To-day it will range in price from $75 to $100 per acre.
When William Johnston and family settled here in
i>!3rl7/ ,''U'iU/J tisjVftone.I ,qii'I<;ir/>y'r r/rriitAoO oi '{Bw
,i!7/oit;-<';ri.' '?/oa >:• f>Lnb v'jrlj uorf// I ■.;] :>->!li9e ysrfJ
.o;-8i Luc ocBi nf)-;»7;-H(5 'JMii; 5;T.ii':> -.^id'xif.iTr-t ;:f
■.;;i'.;rl ,7[';f;'^ 7r!;'- ';•;: i)H> ^ll .-.;ni.- i;-<r i;-n;;Jlm!"{;3R oj
.no "iJ:>i'fT ./Jr;ij(ilJ lu/'-Mf > :• '.:'.' AihO iiariJ V'>ri' -ii-jjfi .'/ ,'.'^'j-:r.,.'.) t::)<: ■!"->/ ai r^s.oi .-.i ixvr.i PX'/r
-v;l.t5 ,a!iK:hr;I or Li;;-';.,:: .:n'o vor.! "^oj lovnr'q^ OiiJ nl jUr.i'.Ci ■■:.'. ■':.:' mi irAjT:.'. J-n^. no-:;: '-' '•'<' ^>f'i[T:>-/o 'ifrib
} :'^<iU- ,t •: \- .oiVyi'd s. bill V <:»t ' •
;oi ,b-? 'i-o ;;:,■>.> r' ■:;[•■■'/ ,^i'ji!i g^iioi; {jir*"' ,'il>'M(>d i?rf ami.!
-i':!.m' v!':' '.'••■; :K>tjL;(( ;toc ^n'
-Ki ?.nli isf-'f, -''iLav v/v. /. iioi'Citjf- 7i;:Jir,up ili/l ji sb/jfu
-'H .yr)i.. 'oq -'■ ^"■■' '■ • "■*•'• nnrl £ lo \\i\\\'^r ■; rrwoJ -aril to n.
Hi// jr /t;h-wT ,^!3£ Jj(! ?s..i<; lol bio^ r^i^v/ buii ^ns^fit
y
lyo THE FAMILY OE MAGENNIS. ,-,
1837 the country was regarded as comparatively new and unimproved. But by dint of hard work and economy they prospered, and in course of time they were enabled to put up better buildings in a more eligible location on their farm.
William Johnston and wife were quiet and unobtru- sive in their manners, excellent citizens, always com- manding the highest respect and esteem of their neigh- bors. After settling in the beech woods they never re- turned to the places of their nativity in Pennsylvania, but resided where they settled until they died, a period of about forty years. They maintained their frugal hab- its throughout life, and died surrounded with all the blessings and comforts they could desire. From a com- paratively new country they lived long enough to see it thickly settled, and where heavy forests once covered the ground, they beheld fine and well cultivated farms. The original farm, which they virtually carved out of the forest — with the additions made by their son — is now one of the best and most productive in the County of Wayne. Their son resides upon the patrimonial part of the estate and keeps it in fine condition.
William Johnston and his wife are buried in the little cemetery of a rural church not far from where they lived so long, and plain marble tablets, bearing suitable in- scriptions, mark their last resting places.
"The willow hangs with sheltering grace
And benediction o'er their sod, And Nature, hushed, assures the soul
They rest in God."
* They left an only son as follows: . *
i. Samuel, b. February 16, 1825, in Lancaster County, Pa.; m. Miss Hester Hoover March 8, 1849. Her parents belonged to one of the oldest and most
ycj:-(jr!<v>'i f.ria .how l-i!.'.-. U; i';;b /d lu'd .b'y/<nqf\iUiu
' ■:;U<rt '\" ;v';;iOJ -.'. bi:r, , ,-fj
■ :--;.-r- I. ..; ^^ji:\-''.i[-'' -. ^ oJ
i;j^ry ^:7r.v/M: ,;r; ■;!;•,) !;,;• J'r/-ij;>'. ,-;-;:;■.::: ■•r^i'j fi 3via
-d^i'}-. .:■,':); i'^ ni^.'N.: .^ Sr.;.. ]:.■■(:-[■■;-■ '^v)-';.;;'' .yiM -n;!ia£«t
V? ■;:;•/■;': /•• ■' i • : . .m--/ fi->-AV'u j::.i >! : "SJ: : ' i * t-:^ ■::J*:/. .?!'loJ
',;,'.,v' ';:■:'!;■;■' ^^ -'>'■;'];■.!; i-.;'!; 'to - , -:.^' -j!' i>^ S-:>rur;i
{■,; ,' W -;,■:-.■; !■' i VJK J-JrMiiir" V^f?'J' .f''M>S7 VJ'iv'l JffOfi£ )o
ii;;'.'"' '. : ;•;■"' .-■''/.']■■ ;!ir;'">o v^i;; f<J';"Olfr:' ■■
iv nr'r ;.;':;*.) ■;I^ .;.!M\' /'.t^j ;i-!iii7/ .inii:! lj;ni):i~K> 3ffT
■or. '•: ■ - 'j^ Til :,.;.>; ■':.! ■sM": .:^ ^ , ^ r! i ; i;;i; o o J f !l i ■//--*;:: TlOt 9flj
'•.., riA.h'j .7:; 1.: n/iJ'irboiq ii-'oiii buL ^r.'^d 3rl^ •...••■.
...ivji:ri r:.f-- ^nii ni j; ctpti^i nnB-^JiiJ^a suiJ
';., . , :-']i t;/i jcn - . ..lao
■'i Mkii^Jrr;;-: jjnr-r.^d ,?;39l(i;J ■jIuilv: :irrJq bns ,72noI 02
■/*h;?!>D '/'jJ-^podr ^ '^f - f '• ' ["11 /Tin: f. ■!«»"} ff f-^rMiiiS .^ /
... ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 171
prominent families in Wayne County, Indiana. They settled on the paternal estate, and still re- side there. They have issue as follows;
I. William Albert, b. July 18, 1852; m. Lulu Collis, October 4, .1876, and had a son and daughter. The latter, named Mary, b. September 22, 1879; d. March 8, 1888. The son, Samuel, was b. June i, 1881. , j^^ ^ 2. Emily Ann, b. December 4, 1854; m. Em- .j. ,, . - ^O" Manlove October 17, 1876; have chil- dren: Walter Earl, b. July 26, 1877, in Fayette County; Maud, b. July 20, 1880; Grace, b. November 2, 1886.
3. Amos Lawrence, b. March 10, 1858, m.
Molly Alison September 9, 1879, and re- \ sides in Fayette County, Indiana. They
had one son, Ernest, b. May 19, 1880; d. '■■ '■ "' September 12, 1881.
4. Levi Elmer, b. November 14, i86o.
5. Mary Elizabeth, b. March 14, 1863; m. KJ <!: Lewis Leffingwell Dec. 21, 1883. Resides
in Fayette County, Indiana. Have one daughter. Myrtle, b. July 2, 1885.
6. Dessie Alma, b. June i, 1866.
7. Dora Rebecca, b. June 4, 1869; m. Elmer
Lefl&ngwell June II, i8gi. Heisa broth- er of the husband of No. 5.
8. Charles Homer, b. October 16, 1871.
9. Maud, b. March 3, 1874; d. Aug. 5, 1874.
No. 3.
ELIZABETH JOHNSTON, 2 (Mark,i)b. , 1803;
m. Robert Beyer February 20, 1834; d. February 26, 1873. Her husband was b. February 24, 1801; d. De-
.trt/)fbi;I .-.'Jnisr/) ifV/rV/ n'l aoifhrifil JfiynJmoiq
.f:r .ir'-.''.! .'■.'.• 'Jt^fI' v . vv o iv; v< f . .1 ^OfriA .?"
-J ■■ ■ '
.8 .OM
172 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. , j
cember 30, 1873. Mrs. Beyer was noted for her sweet and amiable disposition and ability to make others hap- py by her cheerful smile. Her lovely character is beau- tifully portrayed in the words of the poet:
"True worth is found witliin the breast That bears a heart both warm and true ;
A heart that makes its owner blest, And sheds its beams on others too."
The Beyer family is one of the oldest in southern Pennsylvania, their ancestors having emigrated from Germany in the early part of the last century. Daniel Beyer, father of Robert, was born November 6, 1765, in . Berks County, and when a small boy, frequently visited Valley Forge at the time Washington and his army laid there. He married Rebecca Woodward, who was born August 8, 1765, on the i6th of May, 17S5. Soon after marriage they settled in Colerain, where Mr. Beyer long followed his trade of a millwright. He built a mill which is still standing. They raised a large family of sons and daughters. His wife died August 30, 1839, aged 74 years and 22 days, and he followed her August 2, 1852, aged 86 years, 8 months and 27 days,
Robert, the subject of this notice, learned the trade of a fuller, but after his marriage, purchased a farm and de- voted the balance of his life to agriculture. He was a representative man in his township, an excellent citizen, and noted for his kindness of heart and strict moral in- tegrity. He survived his wife less than a year. Both are buried in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church at the Union, Colerain. They left issue as follows (sur- name, Beyer):
i. Susan, b. January 21, 1835; m. Joseph B. Carhart Februan," 19, 1857. Mr. Carhart is a native of Clinton, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Their
.^.r/ivraoAu. ••^o ymkim mi it ^.i^r
.rt (i:;) 72 \::u\ <■ ifirrorn ^ ,?ifi5{ 0^''> .'rfj-gn ,sg,<:{i ,S
;ov pi
1(0 yvit/iii {
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I73
place of residence is EUvood, New Jersey, on the line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad to Atlantic City. Mr. Carhart is a dentist by profes- sion, and keeps an office in Philadelphia. They have two daughters:
1. Lavinia, b. December 3, 1857. Is a teach-
er by profession. Lives with her parents.
2. Carrie, b. October 26, I S65. Was a teacher
by profession; m. Oliver Gee December 5, 1889. Mr. Gee wash, at Elwood, New Jersey, and is a stenographer by profes- sion. They reside at Haddonfield. Have one daughter, Selina Lillian, b. Decem- ber 31, 1S90. a, Henry, b. March 10, 1836; d. December 26, 187 1.
Married Mar>- E. Hastings Aug. 25, 1859. They
had issue:
1. Theodore Evans, b. October 16, i860; m. -^...;^,, January 20, 1891. Miss Celissa McCrery,
of Hopewell, Chester County, Pa.
2. Hannah Elizabeth, b. October 11, 1S64; d.
January- 4, 1875.
♦ ■i"' 1:1.;
3. John, b. March i, 1867.
4. Henr>' Nelson, b. Dec. 24, 1868. Hen-
ry, the father, enlisted in 1862 for nine
months, and served in Company G, i22d
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He
was wounded May 3, 1863, at Chancel-
^- lorsville. His widow and children, with
' . ^- the exception of the eldest son, reside
near the Union, Colerain.
Hi. Ann Elizabeth, b. December 6, 1838; m. Matthew
Duulap March, 1876, and d. in Philadelphia May
5, 1879, leaving one son, William, b. Januarys 21,
1877. The son lives at Conshohocken with his
uncle, his father having married again.
l\l .7>iOTr'iU a v. A 'AltMHO STl
-. >,-:>-; ((i ' •' '■ '} ,■!]/: --.;;;:
VjflT .1./ ; > ilft r(V^;:i
:•'■ ' ■' .';?•'. r ,:_, •yudrn'.'-'OCl ,d .fiitriv;; J .1 : ••;-:•• ',■ • :>') TOVrlU - '
-m ;oo'-;: ■•■ ■ ' ' O .'.} .wj^sr -'T .i
■J ''.•' y I •t_, 1 '■' • .■•
H .■
174 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. •; ,. :
iv. Rebecca, b. July lo, 1840; d. August 17, 1887. Mar- ried Matthew D. Williams, located in Conslio- hocken and engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Williams died December i, 1S81. They left issue:
1. J. George, b. March 19, 1S69.
2. Rowland Brown, b. May 29, 1872.
3. Ida May, b. May 30, 1874.
4. Mary Elizabeth, b. October 19, 1877.
5. Maud, b. December 16, 1879; d. June 8, J ;•..!: 1883. The two youngest daughters live
. I , with their aunt, Mrs. Carhart, at Elwood, N. J., and the two sons are employed as clerks in Philadelphia.
V. John, b. February 12, 1842. He enlisted in the 90th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after seeing much hard service was mustered out. Re- enlisted, and was captured at the battle on the Weldon Railroad. He was carried to the rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C, where he died of neg- lect and starvation, January 19, 1865, in his 23d year.
z*/.* Sarah, b. July 28, 1843. She became a teacher and followed that profession six years. Married Wil- liam Jack , 1 87 1. Mr. Jack was born near
Chester, Delaware County, Pa., January 18, 1848. They reside on the patrimonial estate, in Colerain, and have issue:
1. Elizabeth Jane, b. November 20, 1872.
2. John, b. December 21, 1873.
3. Ella Lavinia, b. December 5, 1876.
4. William Frank, b. July 14, 1879.
5. Robert Norman, b. January 30, 1883.
,:-v!y:'/?io/i/: -w 7.11 w a 'i aiir ^i^i
.•>C>bwlJ-l ji, ,:)ir!i! :j:1; .-;■:(/. ,;;:;!£, i;:,>;" iljiv^
'A-ji-l .z]/.. .1\^;J , y^'jBl mini
i^uaei ovna dob
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 75
No. 4:.
SUSANNAH JOHNSTON,-^ (Mark,i) b. April 9, 1807; m. Joseph Bready in 1830; d. February 8, 1862. Her husband, who was b. , 1812, d. October 25, 1862.
The father of Joseph Bready was a native of Ireland, but the date of his birth, when he came to America, and died, are unknown. His name was Alexander, and he married Jane Walker. They located in Chester Coun- ty, near Octoraro Creek, and had issue:
1. John, who died at the age of 82.
2. Joseph, the subject of this notice.
3. William. Died unmarried.
4. Mary.
5. Jane. Never married.
Joseph was brought up on a farm, and followed agri- culture for a livelihood. In May, 1843, ^^^ emigrated with his family to Illinois. There were several families in the company. They traveled overland in a large cov- ered wagon, and encamped by the roadside at night near a spring or stream of water. At that time it was largely the custom for emigrants to travel in that way. Their route was by the way of Lancaster, Columbia, Gettys- burg, Bedford, Brownsville, Washington and Wheeling. At the latter place they crossed the Ohio River by ferry- boat. The National Road was followed through Ohio and Indiana, to Indianapolis. At this point the caravan, which was composed, in addition to his own family, of the families of Benjamin McGinness, the Misses Tweed, William McGuire and Samuel Brooke, bore off to the Northwest and passed through Springfield, Illinois. They crossed the Illinois River at Bardstown and slowly made their way across the virgin prairies, and on the
.;:(5yr .f^s 7 .('
.'-c'. 'io ^j^.^:. ; '■' j(, ''Xb C)li// Jlilol .5 .lj-;j !"iiUiii;); 'will .irT-;i!liW .f,
-r m'-i;'? >'. no
' •' ■10
-VGO '3^'icl i. til nnc;T;vn h'tbv.PiT? voriT .vnfiqrnoo srij ni
■oi .7-; r[j lA
Io
176 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. '77
28th of July, 1843, they halted within a few miles of Naiivoo, having been on the road nearly three months.
Soon after reaching his destination, Mr. Bready be- came dissatisfied with the land sharks who swarmed around him, and suspicioning that there was a scheme on foot to rob the emigrants, he determined to leave the place and retrace his steps to Pennsylvania. Not hav- ing unloaded his household goods, he was ready at a mo- ment's notice to start. The greatest drawback, however, was for Mrs. Bready to leave her sister, Mrs. Sarah Mc- Ginness, but her first duty was to her husband and fam- ily, and she signified her willingness to return. The parting was a sad one for the sisters, and it turned out that they never saw each other again.
Some time in August, 1S43, ^'^'^- Bready turned his team towards the east and escaped from the speculators that were constantly soliciting him to buy land. It turned out soon afterwards that he was lucky in leaving the place when he did, as the people of Illinois became disgusted with the head men of the settlement at Nau- voo, and rising in their might, shot several of them in the jail at Carthage, where they had been incarcerated by the civil authorities on the charge of fraud, and then drove their followers and sympathizers across the Missis- sippi River. Many of the emigrants were forced by the mob to abandon their property, and as a result of this harsh treatment, much suffering was caused among the innocent and helpless.
Joseph Bready and his family, fortunately, were far enough advanced on their journey eastward to be out of danger, and they slowly made their way across the broad prairies and over the roads they had traversed but a few weeks before. When the news of what had occurred at Carthage overtook them they thanked God that they had escaped.
'\o >5nrr; v/ol *. md'fv,- ;-./iii:f! v.'f'l ■}.l''''' /'[lr1/\o ilJ8£
■ :■ -:;-.r/- vii." .J^ilflfi' i-':^^;' .;.!: -';?/ :•/-.:, ;'':.::fj 9!nn0
Mi't f'/r Ml o'} hjr'.-'- ■ ''-^•^' -''J -'I'-i. ;';,!.•. ■■';.! d:-i oi lool no -,/:;!l Jo/I . J. :::>'.■!•.;•-).';, /^ ^7 <":;.- -:- •■:^'\-- iu.-r^fAQ -o'it .; "r. "■fi;'..;.T .-,..7 -vfi ,',^^'^:-; ^•-;^ . !,mj[ ^.m" ir; '■-,<.; !r-M -j^It: ,^i;-.':;>w.;.r? ,,;Ionf:".,T;"i'' jv ;.;.;•!' . ''J' .vt;', ' ■.;.;''>" ;:'';;;:jm
.i:.:^ '"-n". i'!i';^ci;n -t:.:' rij cw,/.' .'t:;;' :.■•.. •:■.,? j;it! ,?:.jnii\xj -inT ■!:",' -T •; ■ • ■■'i.^tOJlrj;' ■■•' '':-;•-: - >''•, (>.!■; //Ir
'•V,':, ;; .: ;.■' ^'U cu.yil i; "•'•■-■'■.- '.'i;'- .-.i-'. '.nij - 'vr;.-.V:;'-) iiijisJ
ir: ucviii !:;■ 1 ••jov i:-' Jvm ': 7;i'-;;.rrr' ^!'^^I:J nr -^'.'.f-ft luE .oov
•ii-r-ri'' --on ■t'-^.\-is:dh-'--]i'r'.:: P' LIU cvyf/olUj' -''■■" "■ ^'
01)1 {f' '?7: Sjrir.Tgiiiij .Mh lio •{f;^j!/'.
,b;/:;Tff .,. ..> viiv,
.v.'l e; ?[?<•' h^j<!t*:tvtr;j 'vf.f; vsrfj <^I?r,o-r •■jrij lavi.f i>j7t;
h^Tiiio:,.-.) : to f.v7r:>n V .^t
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 77
As autumn began to wane the journey became more toilsome, but the family kept up good spirits, and were hopeful of reaching their friends in Colerain before win- ter fairly set in. They finally reached Springfield, Ohio, but here misfortune overtook them. William, their third child, sickened and died, and was buried among strang- ers. Mr. Bready also fell sick, and they were unable to proceed; and as misfortunes never come singly, one of his horses died. This broke up his team, and the out- look was gloomy indeed. Continued sickness, and the expense it entailed, was very discouraging. But ]Mr. Bready managed to get a letter dispatched to his brother- in-law, Mr. Robert Beyer, of Colerain, apprising him of the helpless condition of himself and family. Immedi- ately on its receipt, Mr. Beyer, who was noted for his warm, sympathetic heart, dispatched a man with a fresh horse and ample means to see the returning emigrants through. He hurried on his journey of mercy, met the stricken family encamped by the roadside, cheered them by his presence and started them on their journey again rejoicing. xA-bout the holidays they arrived at the hos- pitable home of ]\Ir. Beyer, and although much wearied by travel and suffering, they were greatly cheered by the warm reception which was accorded them by their rela- tives and friends. It was, indeed, an ovation.
Mr. Bready, as soon as he got fairly rested from the fatigues of his journey of over two thousand miles by wagon, went to work with a vim to retrieve his broken fortune, and as every one lent him a helping hand, he rapidly recovered. His friends assisted him to purchase a threshing machine, and he followed that business for several years. Hardy, strong and industrious, and noted for his promptness, he recovered rapidly. He purchased a small farm, and through great industry and economy
W
-in .
-iiio :);ii r tid qri \^^^ .h-^nh
■3i[.} i:ii:£ ,r:.- ,. :v;;;::!no'J ..... {itlOv>l^.
,•3,1.'' :<j'd .';^n:[.::U'v,-;<-:ib /■::>',' ri£V/ ,b?Ai£.iri'j ji ij
rial lol fyjU^r, ■ f.// ^.''i // ,7ov:);: /rl/l jqiOaoT >1, no vlaJfi
jn'j I'Mii. ,7:n^:ii lu vijin .;.-•./[ ?'!?' no b^'iTtinl ■^.K .ri
'3X14 xnoi'i i>^i<ui7 v" oa as ,ybB*>ili .tM
.3fi fi mid -3 a£ brii: ,
178 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
was able, in a few years, to discharge every obligation and stand forth a free, independent man. No man in the community was more respected than Joseph Bready. But the hard work which he had followed for several years finally undermined his rugged constitution, and he went into decline and died, as already stated, at the early age of fifty years. He had the proud satisfaction, however, of retrieving the broken fortune of his early manhood, and died leaving a handsome little compe- tence. He sleeps by the side of his wife in the old cem- etery at Octoraro Church, and plain marble tablets mark their graves. They had issue as follows (surname, Bready):
i. Alexander, b. July 15, 1831; d. October 9, 1835.
ii. Elizabeth, b. November 25, 1832. Married John Sampson March 26, 1S91. Rev. Mr. Easton per- formed the marriage ceremony. Mr. Sampson is a native of Colerain. His ancestors, who came from County Deny, Ireland, were among the earl}- settlers in the township. He is a farmer by occu- pation, an active, industrious man, and the owner of a fine farm, with good buildings, and well stocked. They have issue:
1. William N., b. April 1862.
2. Susan Jane, b. March 17, 1866. Both are
single and live with their parents.
iii. William, b. November 22, 1836; d. October 8, 1843, near Springfield, Ohio.
iv. Sarah Ann, b. November 12, 1838. Married Fran- cis M. Scott; d. Februan,' 23, 1869. Had one daughter. Deceased.
V. John, b. November 23, 1839. Single.
vi. Joseph Walker, b. March 15, 1846; d. Aug. 16, 1851.
.^iV'tZ'Ki/',!/' •'■'■) '"'.ui'.iM '•■pr; ^V7
f , ." '- -.' ■■■! ,•-'■ -,'•,*' . ! f ■•-.?.'
■if tfnnr o'-. .;V,.:;'t ;!i':i''i::vi; ;' j:' Oj'', <■-. il^l^:\ ,!./!i:l.^ 'vn/;
, ■: ':, j-M r!(i".:oI^ fn;:!" S", ).;',-:■■ -,;>.; ■-. .•■' {:iu\:iM iC-'^-j ivilj
;r:r'j'/v^ -'Of ^-^v'olkr '.r-'f -'' '[j':'.. r)^./; ;','il j('7 InM ;■;; .itr>! + ti j itoirjoo l^f;-^r:''- ■■■■■'. ;■'.' :-i^-;f:i;r- ^ ^jviiM rrrnny
■_>)!; J-: ?•■■•';:!:• ''■;.•):;>, :-.:: .r^'' [■ ;. J-iiiirvb nit!' JiiL^v/ -vn ■.,■;')) -^■^- ^-i'':'!:; •;'■:■ .;: T ,-..' .''.'^'o }>:;. vi-!£9
'i:f/:. ■■'' '*- - ■; ,. i!:ja- . ■■.:' -j;-;'. ..;:.:.■■: ";■„< /'"'■■' jV/Off ■-jftffj ■>';'•! ::;v. ■•.,■! ;' , ■- :^! !,':^[:. I'tu .iyO'-iJfi/^nt
i-otr - ;■■' ,' :;;:;■;..,. ,.• ,,■■•' /• ■ ■ 'j oT/,-;.'.j(i U- vr-isjo
id8i InqA .o ,.'^ xuijilliW .i .3!^nr8 .v'(%\ j.s T^diuovo/. .d .arfo], .-J
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 79
vii. Mary Jane, b. August 19, 1848. Married Samuel Wright. She died June 10. 1881. Left issue;
1. E. Lrinville, b. December 6, 1873.
2. Walter T., b. November 18, 1875.
3. Clarence D., b. November 30, 1S79.
4. J. Marion, b. May 20, 188 1.
No. 5.
SAMUEL MARCHBANK,-^ (David/) b. December 7, 1817; d. July 14, 1846. Unmarried.
He received a good education and became a teacher by profession. Being a fine penman and a young man of winning manners and pleasing address, he made him- self popular wherever he taught, and his services were constantly in demand. In 1846 he was teaching in Del- aware, at Cantwell's Bridge. On the 12th of July, of that year, he took passage on the schooner William Polk, Captain Hamilton, for Boston, with three other young men, for the benefit of a sea voyage during his vacation. The vessel was loaded with corn and passed out into the bay safely. The night of the 14th, at midnight, when thirty miles from Cape May, and twelve from land, they were struck suddenly by a squall, which threw the schooner on her beam ends. As she did not right and was driven violently before the gale, she soon filled and went down in twelve fathoms of water. Captain Ham- ilton and Marchbank seized the caboose and were buf- feted by the waves. As the latter was about to let go, the Captain begged him to hold on till daylight, when he felt certain they would be picked up by another ves- sel. He did so for some time, and struggled manhilly against fate, but becoming very sick and greatly dis- couraged, he loosened his hold during a sudden lurch of
.YHO'i'HT}] Ci^A '/^lu>I>iO ^TI
.1 U .•' - .
::i\:T; -Qnii',,.'' :: l^nn r:/;i:!rr;." ^;<:!'] h i:'i: ■[■''. .no; '^
-rnri! :,'.'■ !.; m; . /^ rrbon ■;.,:; r^^i^-^f] hr.a .-- UHr/;.:. ;,^ . ... c> -Jij/V ,-■;;.:;•!■.■ ijr .-:;;' brrr; ;'':;);:;■ .,',1 -:r/y'-:>:\j/ jc'r^qon W^ti
ill- 'I ■■•,;!!i!7/ -t-';iooib^ och f!<:; i.';^;;^ii.iq :-io';.j vi: /uiyv IfirlJ ;jrii!.'V' :_5;I:v o:n'/j .I?:.',- ,rfuJ';o<I T")! ,fioJ!:;fJi5H r?rr>}qBD
' • ' rt
r
iisffw Jff-pi:;b:i:! *;: ,n fJ or'/ ":•; j:rlT^in jiiT .{I^iJ^ {nd
^■j'^yifi b;li. ,v.:!^ '; -'J
. . .:V/ ,ilt:r?pr; n {d .; ... . .,n
:u:y. i\\\''v, Jon hrb ^rfg r:/ ,pf:nj i/ic^d vorf no i^rrooffDZ
be: ' n^vhb ?..BW
■rj.. ,. . ■ '" '■ jn3w
tiMJ MT nolli
.'''ijji.in ib:3l^;j^-j7le bn£ ,9nnJ 5iiio<? 7ol o« bib s>H .i9<^
l8o THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. IC.: '
the caboose, and sunk out of sight. The captain being more robust and used to water, held on and was picked up in the morning. Of the ten souls on board, all were drowned but Captain Hamilton. The three companions of Mr. Marchbank were named as follows: Theodore Wait, George Craft and Mr. Thomas. Thus perished this promising young teacher at the early age of 29 years, 7 months and 7 days. His death was deeply and sincerely mourned by his large circle of relatives and friends.
No. 6.
ROBERT :\IARCHBANK,2 (David, i) b. February 25, 1821; d. March 25, iSSi.
He became a teacher like his brother Samuel, and followed that profession for many years until his health broke down. He located in Petersburg, Virginia, wdiere he married Miss Jane Heath. On the breaking out of the rebellion he was forced into the Confederate service, and for some time he was obliged to take part against the government. Finally an -opportunity offered to es- cape, by getting among a lot of prisoners, and he was taken North, when he communicated with his brothers, and they succeeded in effecting his release. He then remained with his relatives in Colerain until the close of the war, when he rejoined his wife at Petersburg, who had remained there and endured all the horrors of the siege. Thinking that the climate of Kansas might ben- efit his health, he made a visit to his brother Joseph, who resided on a farm near Delphos, Ottowa County. While staying there he was stricken with paralysis and died in 1881, aged 60 years and one month. His widow died at
3Tf!W J^ii £<ll{r
e>iiOfiv/ .iilnwiV ,
/IB vliKniHi
3i.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. l8l
her home in Petersburg in 1SS9. Their only child and daughter, Laura, resides there, and it is said of her that she is without a single relative in that city.
No. 7.
WILLIAM J. MARCHBANK,- (David, i)b. July 19, 1822; d. August 5, 1871; m. Hettie Donohue, and had five daughters, all of whom but two, including the moth- er, are deceased. William was a man of great business activity. He learned the trade of carriage making, and carried on that business very successfully. After his marriage he engaged in hotel keeping, and kept a hotel in Oxford several years very successfully. He then re- moved to the "Hill Tavern," in Little Britain, which he conducted for some time Being desirous of enlarg- ing his business he removed to Seafort, Delaware, and rented a large house. One day he started by rail for Wilmington. The train had not proceeded far when a freight was noticed ahead and a collision was feared. Mr, Marchbank at once became excited, and not waiting to ascertain the true situation, suddenly jumped from the platform. His head came in contact with a pile of railroad ties, causing concussion of the brain. He never regained consciousness, and died in that condition. Physicians were summoned from Wilmington, but they found his case beyond their skill.
i8i .T'Aor'fUU a VIA v-ioijto ^.ji
Uun Mfj':; virrci J-jii'i," .(:'r^Bi ni '>'ijJcf^To1">^] rii yft'-"^ -^^ j;;il:; 7'-i ':o [-ii..; -^; u f/ii.: .st-ji^j 'jiu^Mr ,fiTi;/iJ ,■
-'.'.■■■: ■ ';■ !',h.(;iOni ,i. .'•■ ;.:.■'! !'f}rl>'- ':o f^
b;ih ,-:::. h.:.i '^rnityj lo '^b/T; ■.;(] b-tnx^af /^H .vjiviJjfi
;•:'( 7'i:iA .■/ii:;t-->:-)':ori<. v ',:>■/ ^r':in!>*nd . Ir.rH .i^'^
<i.'i!^-r :i,.-nii -Aj.ll r.i '■,/:i'y../r [i\li " ^<U
: vlv ■■;£! !'-. ■ ' - Jon L; ' ' ' ■ '""
, - .- . . . . i:t V i!..-, --- _
■,"itij .l;jd .aoJ'ivnhufiV/ r^ " ^ ■
THE BRANCH OF THE FAMILY THAT SET- TLED IN PERRY COUNTY, PA.
I. James McGixnes^ was born in 1739, and came to America from County Down, Ireland, in 1790. After settling for a short time in Philadelphia, he purchased a tract of land, containing 322 acres, in Greenwood Town-- ship, Cumberland County, (now Buffalo Township, Per- ry County). Here he lived the remainder of his days. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred January 7, 1804. He is buried at the Hill Church, Watt's Township, Perry County. His wife's surname was Cochran, b. 1743, d. August 25, 1805. They had issue: .> :
2. i. Richard.
3. ii. James.
4. ni. John, b. 1772; d. Januarj^ 14, 1838.
5. iv. George, b. 1775; d. August 6, 1853.
II. Richard McGinnes' (James^)was a farmer by occupation. He also took great delight in hunting the wolf and the deer. He married ]\Iiss Jane McKelvey and moved to Illinois, where they raised three or four children, the oldest of whom was named William.
III. James McGinnes'^ (James^) was also a farmer by occupation. He owned a property in what is now
iJ'-l i:! yrni} .tiorf*: fi lo'i
: ♦rv>l - •/
.bJ^;^':v'fW A «:
•f.
// ti'jaihLi f;CW K' ^ 311J ,
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 183
Howe Township, Perry County, Pa. He married a Miss Mary Martin. After his death his wife moved to Lewis- town, Pa.
IV. John McGinnes, ^ (James, ^)b. 1772 in north- ern part of Ireland; d. January 14, 1838. Came with his father to America in 1790. Farming was also his occu- pation. Upon the death of his father he became owner of a portion of the farm in Buffalo Township, Perry County. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He married Sarah Baskin, b. May 7, 1776; d. May 21, 1853. They had issue:
i. Mary, b. September 12, 1794; d. ; ra. James Gard- ner. They lived for a number of years in Alillers- burg, Dauphin Count}-, where they raised the fol- lowing children: Sarah Jane, (Zeigler), Eliza, (Tobias), Margaret, (Masoner), Martha, (Ram- sey), Mary Ann, John and Joseph.
zV. Jane, b. February' 18, 1796; d. January 10, 1S64; m. John Callin, a farmer. They lived in Buffalo . Township, Perr>' County. Their children were Sarah, (Haas), Eliza, Mary, John and James.
Hi. Sarah, b. March 18, 1798; m. Robert Baskin, a fuller. A remarkable coincidence occurred in this famih-. The father, mother, and a little child all died on the same night, December 13, 1832. One grave at the Hill Church, in Watt's Township, Perry County, contains the remains of these three per- * sons. Three of their children lived to woman-
hood and manhood: Eliza, (Bair), Sarah Ann, (Lodge), and Oliver.
h'. Anne, b. March 18, 1801; d. July 29, 1859. Taught school a number of years; m. George Beard, a teacher by profession also. They had no issue.
6. V. James, b. February 18, 1804; d. January 26, 1856.
'•^j .d ( ' ,<3iTift|^) - , ■•'■■;;.■:•■ ' ' '
-1)11,0 ■' ■..:j:-"-"{, .Hi :-•- - • . o . .{..iVT r 1 '•.jo'.n-jjqjc! d .vilJA. }.
/[''tydol fx.:.; i::,'l-it, ,nnA v.j.iy' ,(7*iK
yi -riBtJidaH .d ,jnf. (. .Vt
•>iyv/ iv'r:;>.ifn.' -i' :'.n i
184 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
vi. Eliza, b. October 22, 1S06; d. November 23, 1838. A teacher for several years.
7. vii. George, b. August 30, 1808; d. 1848.
8. vm. John Cochran,, b. June 27, 1812; d. March 5, 1887.
ix. Catharine. Died while quite young.
V. George,- (James, ^) b. 1775 in northern Ireland. He came with his parents to America when he was 15 years of age. His early manhood was spent in Buffalo Township, Perry County. He lived a few years in Sher- man's Valley, in the same county, after which he moved to Shippensburg, Cumberland County, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was for a number of years a Justice of the Peace, and took an active and leading in- terest in the welfare of the town of his adoption. While yet comparatively young he was made a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. This position he occupied at the time of his death, which occurred August 6, 1853. He is buried at Shippensburg, Pa. He was twice mar- ried; m., first, July 20, 1805, Mary Linton. They had issue:
z. Margaret, b. September 20, 180S; d. April 20, 1889; m. J. Wilson Hays. Their children were James Wilson, b. June 25, 1839; Edward Stuart, b. No- vember 25, 1844; Mary Ellen, b. October 6, 1846; Anna Catharine, b. June 29, 1848; Elizabeth Jane, b. October 11, 1852, and two sons, who died in childhood.
George,- (James, ^)m., secondly, Mrs. Catharine Rej'- nolds. They had issue:
9. z. Rev. James Y., b. December 18, 1814; d. August 31, 1851. ii. Anna Cochran, b. January 18, 1820; d. April 28, 188S; m. Rev. Alexander C. Hillman, of the Re-
.::'|.;- .' ;?:.-■ i .or, tr :•,;[' A .d ' .^
.'■:u.hnl ir: :ii70f* xri ;-:\! .d ;' , .•.■;::;;! ! - ,-Tri..i.'rit ) //
;- >-ir;-'; '■ r> 7'^^<':nji i: ;:.. lO: oi.'r'. .^H .^J:;;','-."; :-. .. . .- ■ — ... -.1,: ";■ '. :-:' !..uj-.-,u!V?^:>i:i ^!i.' >i'X)j hfir: />j';:jS jiIj lo aohei/l,
.1! -••..' ' -;: :..:.// -'i' '*:i ■,'. ; ' v -;■;■[;■ - ' "
• 'u'lil , ^: A' ; ;'):■'/!• ■; /:, £'i .".j i '
-ji'T .SV/,I-{ II'.: ^ " ' 1
... - . . ,, ^ . Y
1 .bootibiirio
■ s>>I :,M\7 i'.. ,sxxiwlUH ,0 lybncx^v'A .veil .m ;88Si
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 185
formed Church. They had issue: James, who is now a pastor of a church in New York State; An- na G., Margaret and William H. lo.iii. Wilson, b. October 3, 1825; d. February- 2, 1853.
VI. James, ^ (John, 2 James, ^)b. February iS, 1804; d. January 26, 1856. Much of his life was devoted to teach- ing school. He taught 26 terms, a portion of which was in Liverpool, Pa. His boyhood days w^ere spent on his father's farm in Perry County. He afterwards moved to Montour County, Pa., where he raised his family. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and lies interred in the Chillisquaque Presbyterian burial ground in Northumberland County; m. Anna, daughter of Samuel and Phoebe Bond, of Liberty Township, Montour County. They had issue:
i. Samuel, d. March 28, 1835, in childhood.
ii. Sarah Ann, b. August 28, 1834.
in. Phoebe, b. September 8, 1S36; d. 1861. Taught school a number of terms.
iv. Eliza Jane, b. October 24, 1839. A teacher in the public schools. Her time and attention have been given to this work for the last 28 years.
11. V. John C, b. January 18, 1841; d. May 30, 1890.
12. vi. James Y., b. November 25, 1844.
Vn. George,^ (John,'^ James, ^)b. August 30, 1808; m. Mary Castle, of Juniata County, Pa., in 1838. They lived for a short time in Perry County. They then moved to Juniata County. Not many years thereafter they engaged in farming in the West where they both died in 1848. They had issue:
i. George W.
ii. William.
iii. Sarah Jane.
iv. John.
X
b:^o8i ,;•:'! 7! -mii--i .A ■ '■ ,^:a{il,/ ,:^\\'j\J" ^^^u^■\ .IV ;•:;'' iio ,;;j3ri.> v^^-tijv/ ;-:','j.b h.o. ; ;-/i .■' .fjl .;/! ,!■
Ou'.': .c;^. '-xdA .b :i4-tfi ,r 1 -. ;j-''!-J^l -*^' ,.0 rtffot .'i .11'
.ni
ii
."xn mioi .vfs
Z
l86 THE FAMILY OF MAGFNNIS. t^
VIII. John Cochran,^ (John,- James/) b. June 27, 1S12; d. March 5, 1S87. His life, with the exception of a few months in which he attended school in Millers- burg, Dauphin County, was spent in Buck's Valley, Per- ry County. He taught school 9 years, and served as Justice of the Peace for 6 consecutive terms. His com- missions bear the signatures of the following governors of the state: Shunk, Johnston, Pollock, Packer, Curtinand Geary. He was an inveterate reader, which habit, coupled with a discriminating judgment, and a retentive memory, made him reliable authority in local and general history. His interest in popular education was always great. His theory was that the best legacy that any father can be- stow upon his children. is a good education. For a num- ber of years he was an earnest and active member of the School Board of his district. Married Sarah Ann, daughter of Simon and Mary Ditty, of Buffalo Town- ship, Perry County. They had issue:
13. i. Lemuel E., b. May 15, 1853.
ii. Anna M., b. August 29, 1854; m. John G. Zeigler. They have but one child, Walter E.
14. in. John Cochran, b. December 11, 1855.
15. iv. George W., b. February 9, 1857.
16. V. James Wilson, b. June 27, 1859.
vi. Ada Adora, b. February 17, 1861; m. George Baskin. They have one son, Raymond. ■ vii. Infant daughter, b. November 19, 1862; d. Decem- ber 7, 1862. via. Tirza Rebecca, b. March i, 1864. ix. Sarah Catharine^ b. August 12, 1866; d. Oct. 26, 1876. X. Ulysses Grant, b. April 20, 1868; d. Sept. 25, 1871.
IX. Rev. James Y., 2 (George, ^ James, i)b. Decem- ber 18, 1814; d. August 31, 1851. An able, devoted
.f'j/./:H:v;/vi.^ iO 7j::.:j..H hht
'/: bvv7-:'^ I>:rf, ,>:';g'3V w ir.o;!-:*;? .;:;oi;i-T ^M .^Jiif;oJ '^T
r,' /i r.'.tir/j ,T->;iD)/T ,;Jo'-'!fr.'i .. . : .: '._'i .:^;r.-:'r! ;3-f/^)?3ffj1o
: ri'.v "'■..i.'i.-y m; i ■.■!■;■ -vv I! ; !:
.'■'■rrj^..' ' i::"v -J ; ijp •■-i _,:;[ r:; ■/ : ; :^;,; jjij; M'dr'f-n u • :/i'jn L I-''-! ,fi':M-h':-'^:'',. / '.irjo;^ f; i;. r: V ' !ji ' i' ■) :< -ii'.vo't ' .' , /J:" /'J VI
.?.?8i .11 iviiiu^otiQ. .cf J .Vis .px
.hi
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 187
minister of the gospel.* He graduated at Jefferson Col- lege, Canonsburg, Pa., in the class of '35. After grad- uation he took charge of the department of languages in an Academy at Steubenville, Ohio. His health failing, he gave up his professorship before the close of the first year. During the following summer his health became much improved, and in the spring of 1S37 he entered the South Hanover, Indiana Theological Seminary. He completed his course in this institution in 1S40, and was soon afterwards installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lewistown, 111. The climate at this place not agreeing with him, he reluctantly gave up his charge after three years' faithful service, and returned to the mountains of his native state. In 1844 he accepted a unanimous call to the church at Shade Gap, Hunting- don County, Pa. Here the remainder of his days were spent in unremitting toil for the great cause that he so much loved. Though a man of weak physical powers, he possessed indomitable energy, a brilliant mind and an intense love for God and humanity. These qualities led him to be a power in the church, a leader in the community, and a benediction to his family.
Through his zeal in the cause of education, Miln- wood Academy, at Shade Gap, was established. This institution was in his time one of the most flourishing of its kind in the state. He married Elizabeth Cris- well, of Scotland, Franklin County, Pa., October 22, 1840. They had issue.
• 17. i. George Harold Criswell, b. September 21, 1841; d. June I, 1863. ii. Catharine Elizabeth, b. May 2, 1843; d. May 11,
* Rev. D. L. Hughes published his biography in 18->4, in a neat vol- ume of 352 pages. Besides a full history of his life and character, it contains a number of his tinest sermons and addresses.
;'8l .Vr^'.'V'iV.Iit aZA riOtHO ?,TI
■:4--, !^' :;;.-.
v., •;},"•: If" "I". 'r'lT J't .1' .. ■:>]?:v;"j^l ')
.. , , .- ., r
l^•:(:■ ! ■;w"' jru,H!;7c! ' , .;:,'i:i;;-:^ '^h'il^Ui- li
.vlrrn;,'i ;;:i; ■:■-' r;o!.;.;ibj.;:>'. i: bnr, ,7:!cn;;n!:noD
.;;i'. ... . .ov/ ,qx fr
-;-..•■!'.) ) ;a
,1! vj;'M .b ;;,|.8i A- v*Vr^' .d ./iJsdK.-.
l88 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. • ■'
1888; m. Rev. J. V. Hughes, a Presbyterian min- ister, located at present in Wisconsin.
iii. Mary Jane, b. February 23, 1845; m. Rev. H. W. Brown.* They now reside at Wooster, Ohio.
iv. Amanda Blair, b. February 25, 1847; m. Rev. J. M. Goheen. Both husband and wife are at present missionaries to India under the direction of the Presbyterian Church.
V. Anna Margaret, b. March 19, 1849; m. Rev. J.J. Hull, a missionary from the same denomination to Kol- hapin, India. Rev. Hull returned to this country in 1880 on account of ill health. A year after his return he died. In October, 18S1, Mrs. Hull, with her two little boys, returned to the missionary field in India.
vi. Corola Alice Y., b. October 6, 1851.
X. Wilson, 2 (George, ^ James, ^) b. October 3, 1825, d. February 2, 1853; a young man possessed of much natural ability and a fine education. He received his education at Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa., from which institution he graduated at an early age. A prom- inent feature in his character was his reserved and digni- fied manner. He assisted his brother, Rev. James Y. , in establishing Milnwood Academy, and during its early ^history was one of its professors. After the death of his brother he took sole charge of the institution. He was a member of the church of his ancestors. Married Cath- arine Laughlin, of Newville, Pa.
* Rev. Horatio W. Brown was pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, William.sport, Pa., from 1871 to 1884, a period of thirteen years. When he resigned, which was on account of his health, there was much sorrow in his con<rregation, and the members parted from him with deep regret. He is not now actively eniraged in the minis- trj'.
.^.r/:y.:roAi/ -lo yjik/.*4 hht 88i
■■■"'■■ ' :■ ;i!ji.jii-j0 v)J'lj/if: viH ir-^^.v. ■.• ■:,;-i.:^itiiT' a '^'.Uiij:- . ■ ■'■,. ^... !:;=}fn ;;;■■•-! Ht;!! -/tj'T .t^'c^^nl ,nic(?rf
.- , ...'■ vi\1 :■: . .... ,?-<;otj :7.; >d
■■ ' ..:..-.■, -, ■ ■•• •■ • ■-. -(jw,.,
-ino7f{ A .^r^/; ,.'..:; ii:: Jji i:i'):fK;ir>in;;; -ail rioij/rjlj-
• K r:<> i-;.fi.j,' if->i(lw .;
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 189
XI. John C.,"* (James, '^ John, '^ James, ^) b. January 18, 1841; d. !May 30, 1S90. He moved with his family from Pennsylvania to Parsons, Kansas, in 1872, where he eno^aged in the leather trade. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion; at the time of his death, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and an active work- er in" the Presbyterian Church. Married Clarinda W., daughter of William and Sarah Fegley, of Lewisburg, Union County, Pa. They had issue:
i. Sarah Ann, b. June 18. 1868. ii. Minnie Jane, b. xVpril 13, 1870; d. April 2, 1876. Hi. Phebe Adella, b. July 5, 1872.
iv. Charles Harrison, b. Aug. 21, 1874; d. June 19, 1876. V. James Allen, b. November 23, 1877. vi. John Bond, b. December 12. 1879. vii. Elmer Guy, b. December 17, 1881. via. Infant Daughter, b. Aug. 21, 1884; d. Aug. 25, 1884. ix. Clarence Myron, b. July 3, 1S86.
XII. James Y. , ^ (James, ^ John, - James, ^ ) b. Novem- ber 25, 1844. At present a resident of Pottsgrove, Pa. A carpenter by trade; has also been engaged in teaching school for 15 successive terms. Married Jennie Stout, of Pottsgrove. They have no children.
XIII. Lemuel E.,"* (John C.,^ John, 2 James, i) b. May 15, 1853. Began the work of teaching at the age of 19. At an early period in his life he determined to make this his life work, and accordingly has always made it a subject of special study and preparation. He has occupied the following positions in the public schools of the central part of the state: Three terms in the un- graded schools of his native county. Perry; Principal of the Lower Duncannon High School from 1875 to 1878; Principal of the Duncannon Borough Schools from 1878 to 1881; Principal of the Steelton Schools from 1881 to
U'l
V '1 1 .'Ti" i 1 1 '.i /' A ''a T r> j ii.(> H 'J I
■;-<;,!'i;iii. .c ( '...:-K,';;j- ,f.::oT ■•,>;>n!..l.) ',.0 zivoL .IZ
.;■;;;■■ •;. ,,. i.-^!'/, '1 ,-.;c.'^i.'.4 ■.'J ni'^L'/' _„na:j*:u /noil
.;;.-.'V/ y/h'j;; f;j: biiii ./,. .iv'i V'! ■■^■'-'fi.'' !>;':? iu -ij(;ni-^in ,.\7 ;.):':.■ (■.!". b::'-i";J/ .il-jiu'l'') ru.: ,:.^!--'-i '■' "^{'Val 73
"X]
j:^/' ;
i:>n •.'.-.■ ■-'■-j ;ii iy -_•;:<;(::? n-T'ji^ u-'a:. '■•r .^ :-jhE-^1 yd :; A
;.■ .tiioli ')in !■;:.!_ '^:\;,^'.' .'/rnsJ i^vic^"j:.'jiir ;• i rot !»:>oii:>2
c (t,w.: ' ' ' .ni
jtl ^ ra
"lo Inqi-,);!;-:'-! , vn-/-; .vJ'HJoo ovhi,rr ?(,,
IQO THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS. '
1888. In June, 1888, he was elected to the Superin- tendency of the Steelton Schools, which position he now occupies. He was also at one time a teacher in the Ju- niata Valley Normal School. He has for several years taken an active part in the work of the Presbyterian Church. Married Ida Clark, daughter of Hugh K. and Ellen S. Wilson, of Perry County. They have but one child: Sarah Ellen, b. September 21, 1884.
XIV. John Cochran, ^ (John C.,^ John, 2 James, i) b. December 11, 1855. He is at present serving his sec- ond term as Justice of the Peace in Buffalo Township, Perry County, the same township in which his father served in the same capacity for 30 years. Married Mag- gie Jane, daughter of Robert and Sarah Baskin. They had issue:
i. Vera May, b. November 17, 1882. ^,j j^.^, ; j^
ii. Percy Robert, b. September 20, 1884. Hi. Frank Bruce, b. April 24, 1890.
XV. George Washington,* (John C.,^ John, 2 James, ^) b. February 9, 1857. In his youth he mani- fested considerable talent with pen and crayon. He is now (1891) profitably employed as a crayon artist. Mar- ried Fannie E., daughter of Joseph and Catharine Castle, of Juniata County, Pa. They had issue:
i. Maude Vernon, b. May 19, 1883, ii. Katie Eva, b. November 9, 1885. »
Hi. Anna Delia, b. September 22, 1887. iv. Wayne, b. January 18, 1890.
XVI. James Wilson,* (John C.,^ John,^ James,i) b. June 27, 1859. At present engaged as a clerk in a lumbering establishment at Sparrowspoint, Maryland. Married Mary Ella (daughter of Joseph M. and Eliza- beth H. Cook), of Williamsport, Pa. They had issue:
.zrAv::iohir. no yjika'i hht opi
mo i&
.ii38i ,3.
,£88i ,01 vftM .d .rromaV dbuul/ .$
.YW.. ...
.0^81 ,«i .fietjaAt .d ,-3avfcW .'u
j-kl
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. I9I
z. Walter Owen. b. April 14, 1888. :
a. Infant son, b, May 23, 1891.
XVIL George Harold Criswell,'* (Rev. James Y.,^ George,"' James/) b. September 21, 1S41; d. June I, 1863. Graduated at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pa,, in the class of i860. It was his intention to follow the footsteps of his father and prepare for the Christian ministry. As he was but 19 years of age at graduation it was thought well by his friends that he engage in teaching for a time before entering upon the active du- ties of the ministry. After acting as tutor in a private family for a short time he began teaching in an Acade- my at Sewickley, Pa. In 1862, after obtaining the con- sent of his mother, he responded to the call of his coun- try by enlisting in Company G, 140th Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, under Captain John Frazer, of Jef- ferson College, now General Frazer. Soon after the bat- tle of Chancellorsville he contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and terminated his short and promising life June i, 1863, at Falmouth, Va. He was one among the many talented young men of our state who gave up their lives that our nation might live.
lb
vi(.>Tr::i' iVAA VlKn^^o RTI
S*?!*.:
/^J^ ) ' ,,:,; '^"'/^ij'-l,^ vijv::^/, H :?];
>•■'■(>/
" ■ ' I
,:\v.l'''i-Mi-^iif\J .••'&-''■: -■ ■:'> '■■:^!'''-'» fi^ 'ri?in.u\-i:-0 ■(Of'*'!: ,1
' ■ ' '^i'- :'_••; •:i;i.'_|j-;;j hrrfi 7viiJ)^'l -:'fi to -^q:;:: ■ ■ ■'* ■ J'. ■•■'; ! > .'jivG ,; pi 7';d .-kv/ -jr! • /•.
■ ' ; 'ii:;; :;,'.' '■■■'\^^ yiv. ■■.:>■ rj .I'^-^x! :)!::iJ c ! ;. !;' "'j.'iiJ ' x:. -^j . i / ! ■' • ..; 't';)'!/, .rn^ni'
:.';:rh'j:y] nc-;^-;(f ^al '//nil hi.';!;, c YvTt yi:':;;;.1
'Wi/i r""'''."!.' >, n f'\5K!!i [LIT:;, ri'ii. ::::r':ir5i/j:'i7 • Jni I;-
: : i X'' A'
•3>vi! U;;;'fn .5o;.'Er: -^-jo i»;ib ^j't! t/sdi qj; -r/zig or
^ . . , f;; r^ ~
JAMES McGINNES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
James McGinnes, b. near Jenkintown, Pa.; m. Pris- cilla Dalby March 6, 1806. She was born at North Wales, Pa., July -I, 1785. They lived at Quakertown, Pa., af- ter their marriage, until the spring of 1814, when they moved to Berwick, Pa., where he died in the fall of the same year. She died November 6, 1847. Issue:
z. Ann, b. February' 6, 1807; d. August 13, 1823. ii. Enoch Walton (of whom presently). in. Joseph Webster, b. October 17, 1810; d. 1S47. iv. James, b. Januar>' 8, 18 13; m. Rebecca Poulton, 1839; she died 1850. Issue:
I. Ann, m. William F. Price. Their issue: I. Rebecca, m. Harvey Lear; issue, one child, Edna. ' 2. Ida, m. Sylvester B. Phillips; issue, one child, Mabel.
3. Caroline, m. Jacob S. Mood.
4. Susan, m. Wm. Kinsey.
5. James, m. Belle Wilton. Issue: i.
Ethel. 2. Cornelius.
6. Jennie.
7. Lizzie.
8. William.
i
. . , ^ /J
■x r ; j,:; >■..,;: t;;! .:ii :£.3ai ,8 yir;;.!j:f-]_ .d ,?i9fDf5|^ .vri :;'i;fir'j i}s>xiT .son''! .H utrfcHIrW .m ,nnA .i
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 193
9. Enoch.
10. Annie.
11. Melvin.
2. Rocilla, d. aged 3 years.
3. Henr>', m. Lizzie B. Andrews. Issue:
1. J. Frederick.
2. William, m. Mar\' Wychoflf. 3- Ida.
4. Lizzie.
5. Henr>'.
4. Caroline, m. Jacob Swartz. Issue:
1. Flora.
2. Henry.
3. Emily.
5. Enoch, m. Emma L. Stout. Issue:
1. Jennie.
2. Enoch.
In 1857 he married Jane Hellyer. They reside in Trenton, N. J. Issue:
1. Anson B., deceased.
2. Charles, deceased. . ^-, , '•
3. James, deceased.
4. Lizzie, m. :Marshall C. Holmes Januar>',
1890, living in Trenton, N. J.
V. Marietta, b. December 14, 1814, m. Pettit, issue
known by writer:
1. Samuel Petit, reported killed in Battle of
Bull Run.
2. Mrs. Elwood Dudbridge. Aftenvards rri.
Colton. At present living in Bucks.
Enoch Walton McGinnes, son of James, b. August
II, 1808, in Alontgomery County; d. at Pottsville ,
1867, suddenly, of diabetes.
He learned the trade of a blacksmith in Philadelphia;
^(jl .YJiOTSTH a VI A MIOlflO 3TI
I 1
.:: ' ■ 1 .1
:o:j'-r'.i \I:i;v/^ d.>orf !,t ,'>uUozi/J .f
■ ;'! .-. ^' ■ Al s
.1 .Z . f)U?A ,Jrt.t3*I .m ,|.i«i ,1-1 I
'to j:tj£a nl hoUfi fa^-
M .c
194 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. '-■':
came to Schuylkill County in 1833 and set up a shop at Port Carbon. He afterwards moved to Pottsville and started a machine shop, which he conducted on an ex- tensive scale for several years. '.:'•.•• >■ ■• ■' ■••■
He became interested in coal mining in early times, but did not meet with the success he expected. Busi- ness misfortunes overtook him, but being a man of great activity and pluck, he was not wholly discouraged, but soon started in again and succeeded.
He had long entertained a theory that the mammoth vein of coal could be reached by a shaft, because he believed that on account of the anticlinal axis it was thrown upward. His "theory," as it was called, was scouted by the geologists and practical operators, but he was cpnfident of its correctness.
Soon after the sale of his property he determined to seek assistance and sink a shaft. He had but $4.50 in money, a sleigh and pair of horses, but this slender cap- ital did not deter him from making the experiment.
Through the aid of friends he commenced sinking the shaft at St. Clair. It w^as 450 feet deep and iS feet wide, and cost $100,000. The vein was found and the coal trade revolutionized. His ''theory" was demon- strated. And after he had taken out 100 tons of coal, those who had scoffed and sneered at him accepted his theory and manfully acknowledged his superior sagacity, and he took a foremost position among the coal men of the country. Henry C. Carey, the political economist, gave him the title of "The Columbus of Schuylkill County." Carey & Hart owned a tract near St. Clair, and the value of their property was greatly enhanced by the discovery of the Mammoth Vein.
So greatly were the coal men gratified over the suc- cess of McGinnes that they made up a purse and pur-
.ai •/>::'! OAT/ ''lo YvIikah mht ^qj
y-j !::■ no hainubrroo -jff ri ' " ;>
-J
.'.''i .rrjj'jtKjy.^ 5f! S'-^'-Oii? 'mIj riiiv/ jfj.^Kt jo'i hib issd
K.!' •:;'.: iriii v;;) '';.ri; /;j;>fb i: [vjcikIt'^Jii'? '.ri^W i
- v.; I : ;;
,:1^ iir i; v'-.; h-ji\-ji:-ji -j'.l ?•>.'■ :/ !ix.-.
. -311 ..I'iKjfr: I, " ' ■^.
.:!r?'ii7i:isv7/.'^ -^rLf ;f,;{r';!i;(r' ntcaT/rtif! -i3j'3b ^f;
:}f[i britj br: ],;</* rs.-i: .' .oocj,o<:>i^. i.-^vj .
-ftOiirtjb atw " {tojii: Kui .btr:iiioi?r'Inv^".! ■;
,(iio/.-^£;^' loasqjja «ifl i>t:. :Iob "^lUhti&m ban {lo^tii
.11 ; J / i:
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 195
chased a fine silver service, which was expressly manu- factured for the occasion, and presented it to him as a testimonial of the esteem in which he was held. On the different pieces there are emblems of coal mining in relief, such as the miner with pick, and shovel, &c.
The presentation took place on the evening of Octo- ber 13, 1854, at the Mount Carmel Hotel. The celebra- tion of this event was extremely interesting. From a pamphlet printed soon afterwards, giving an account of the affair, we learn that among the most prominent guests were Frederick Fraley, president of the Schuyl- kill Navigation; John C. Cresson, president of the Mine Hill Railroad; Henry C. Carey, one of the well known pioneers- of the coal trade, and author of several works on Political Economy; Abraham Hart, the esteemed publisher; Pierce Butler; Hon. Francis W. Hughes, At- torney General of the Commonwealth; Hon. William Donaldson, an extensive coal land proprietor; Hon. James H. Campbell, representative in Congress; Hon. Charles W. Pitman; M. C. Ford, presiderrt of the North American Coal Company; Gen. John M. Bickel, State Treasurer; Col. J. Macomb Wetherill; J. Henry xA-dams; Decatur E. Nice, and many others.
The supper was one of the finest ever served in the county, and amidst the clatter of plate and cutlery were mingled the inspiring staves of a band of musicians. Frederick Fraley presided, and the service of silver for Mr. McGinnes was placed in a conspicuous position at the head of the table. The presentation address was made by the Hon. F. W. Hughes, in the following words:
Mr. McGinnes: In behalf of a number of your friends — gentlemen interested in the Schuylkill Coal Basin — I have the honor to present you with this service of plate, "as a me-
?,pl
1 , f -y •-■» '^ «^ ',»* r ' '^ f rf ■•/?"
>;ii oi r
riJrw 1
II.'
.0 rtffol
2 J
;i: Jir:H
.-> ti
• L;
•-'liJ', ■<: _'J; ■• ^ V'
196 THE FAMILY OF :\rACrENNIS. '-'^
morial of their appreciation of the energy- and intelligence that, surmounting all obstacles, whether of prejudice or the- OTy, have demonstrated the accessibility for practical work- ing, of the great White Ash Coal Measures throughout the entire basin." Considerations connected with the circum- stances under which this highly important truth was made manifest, give a double gratification in this presentation, as the}' prove how eminently it is deserved. If he is entitled to commendation for contributing useful labor who causes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before, how much is that one deserving of our gratitude who, under circum- stances the most trying and adverse, encountering the opposi- tion of scientific professors, the alleged experience of the prac- tical man, and the want of pecuniar}' means, aggravated by a heavy load of indebtedness incurred in previous enterprise, has the genius, energ}-, and courage to battle with these ob- stacles, and engage in a work that has added millions to the wealth of this county, and that must contribute largely to afford employment and wealth to millions that in this and future centuries will people this country; a work that re- quired years, a;id the expenditure of enough for a large for- tune, before its success or its folly could be demonstrated. And yet, sir, you undertook and accomplished this great work — not clothed with corporate rights and special privi- leges, but alone — with no capital but a name, integrity, saga- city, and untiring energy. For pecuniary aid you looked to the confidence and sympathy which unceasing argument, illustration, and the exhibition of a determined, bold, but honest spirit might inspire in others. By these means you vanquished difficulties, and have demonstrated the inex- haustibility of this coal basin as a resource for anthracite coal, and have shown the vast and munificent provisions of Providence for a supply of fuel for all the purposes of the thronging myriads that in future generations will inhabit this continent.
This is your work, sir; this your proud monument — more lasting than brass — enough for the just ambition of any one.
) hr.r. ,-/jn-j)i\ *
)UI-fii •>.'! f>lr;00 Vrio") >li to e'rlOO^Utr' .'1'.
.... . -.J
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 1 97
Its importance can be but feebly displayed by the presenta- • tion of this plate, or by anything that I may say on this oc- casion. Still, whatever departure it may be from the brevity which should characterize my remarks at this time, allow me to refer to some of the history of the development of the great fact by which so important benefits will be conferred on so many of your fellow men. As one who has most anxiously watched the progress of your enterprise — who was of the ear- liest of 5'our converts, and who has, to some inconsiderable extent, shared the ridicule which the wisdom of the multi- tude always so liberally bestows upon the genius who has the boldness to attack old theories and prejudices, and of which you received a very lavish portion — I claim this indulgence.
A few years since I learned, in the course of my practice in this county, of your failure in an uncertain enterprise, that left you with a considerable amount of indebtedness, and with no property but a name for strict integrity, great energy, and an unconquerable, hopeful spirit. The generosity of friends purchased at sheriff's sale a few articles that were deemed necessarj' for your personal comfort. Immediately after being thus bereft of pecuniary means, you commenced the sinking of a shaft through rock where our professional and practical men generally said it was madness to look for coal at any ac- cessible distance. Even upon your own estimate it was the work of three years, and at a cost of probably one hundred thousand dollars. You, I believe, sir, according to your own confession at the time, had a cash capital of four dollars and fifty cents ! together with the aforementioned articles pur- chased at Sheriff's sale, which included an old sleigh and a pair of horses !
What became of your cash capital of four dollars and fifty cents I never learned : but I do know that the old sleigh and the horses were soon turned into dollars, and that your work- men were promptly paid. I also know that the confidence of your friends soon began to strengthen, and as there was the promise of vast benefit to us all by your success, the doubt-
;pl
7 >i oral I! a 'A A vjioi^io sti
lf.-'7; JilJ lo rrv r:f{v..i'>v-!:' -^ir: 1" .-K';>:lfl :=irij jo ^xtaoc' o'
:/ "if': ''? .;; , v,
[.■.•■ft ,'/>;;.:>■!:? Jr':''.v ,-.•.; ;iv>)rTi loj-ij''. IQI j.'JOi.'i C il.'d v1i
>i,i?i'/d -f:?!!:!: .■tf;x.:l";n/iu:j .r ■i.'^i.'.'j li.i'O'.v.'iq ino •
-'sf; -(tf^ :?£ f^';3 ;vit ;^':'ri' ;,: r'Svn' :;ni r-'iv/ jj bij;^ v-
ir/?o
uoV
£i bnr 1 n;i b*>buio>
■Jdijoh ^ii
198 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. J^y)
ing, and even those who still ridiculed, surmised that a trifle might be risked. You pushed forward with your work. Pay day came, and along with it came the cash for the hardy miner and laborer. Even a capitalist offers to invest the "needful" in the enterprise, provided he is taken in as a partner! You, however, were too strong then, and you declined the oflfer. The work continued to prosper, and on this day, from the great shaft at St. Clair,' four hundred and fifty feet deep, ten by eighteen feet wide, cost exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, still but partially opened, over one hundred tons of coal have been mined from the great White Ash Mammoth coal vein, thirty feet in thickness, passed over your new and greatly improved Martz Coal Breaker, deposited in the cars, and now on the way to the Atlantic seaboard!
This great experiment, confirmed b}- that on the lands of the North American Coal Company, and others less perfect, proves that the great White Ash Coal Measures, instead of being reachable only at the northern rim of our coal basin, as formerh' supposed, are so at all desirable points through- out its entire area, and that therefore, ever\' acre of the land' can be made to yield a product of from sixty to one hundred thousand tons of coal! To estimate the value of a single acre of coal land in this basin, when measured by its pro- ductiveness, far outstrips any idea that has heretofore been entertained; and yet, sir, you demonstrated the truth of this real intrinsic value.
All idea of exhausting this coal basin will now be dis- pelled; and although the Schuylkill coal trade has increased more than a hundred fold in the last twenty-seven years, and although the same regular annual percentage of increase may continue for many years to come, yet the subject of ex- haustibility for centuries cannot be seriously apprehended, I will not enlarge on the importance of the great fact we now commemorate to the vast industrial population that will throng these mountains, nor of its value in the generation of steam, as well as for domestic use, to those of our Atlantic cities, and even throughout the world. Future generations
.'riv/iznoj.u 'io •(•jiy./M ;.iHT 891
." ■■ i> lr,ih lyii-Aunjir' .b-ilr-jibrs [th-i od// %oi).' navy bnh ,gni
vn'l ;-!ii.>7/ -.'jV>7 dir,/ \.-)ii-.7rio) ij'>:j' -•.(;«; uoY .i>-j:jf«i-i -:•<} Jjgixn
■.nil : ' 1: < ij-. ;i,i:; ^ ;'Mt^(;-q . ,; p.
:';;,. J,'^il'■ ■rr.i'iv 'i.yjn ;i-^.-:.'.,'| .-r.-ic .' -aij ;;,: .)~)'j'* ■,■'■••■''
Mi' r-trfifK! '-.ifrfi-;! f;--if.! 'It, Jr. fv. yir, ,b-j-;( ','<"uj;-' v ;
- a ';u 'i ; '■" '.';'t ■.tJ^;rfT?tJ>'? oT ' Tfjoo lo giioJ
-y5 ('•^ J'j-vidf,''3 tij-f? iov .^rrro:^ cJ enridv yrrBfri 7ol
J ii-n)-;;!:.);; .V./.7 r?ff'
r-.tlVAai-J'^.-g ■'■'.'JUl'-i. Dni;Vf .-JflJ 7l fl973
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 199
will note these things, while we, this evening, shall contrib- ute to make up the record that will inform them of their ben- efactor!
Upon the conclusion of these spirited remarks, which were listened to with deep interest, IMr. McGinnes arose to reply. The reporter thus described him: "He is a man somewhat after the fashion of ]Mark Anthony — 'plain and blunt, and no orator like Brutus,' — of the average height. He is very strongly built, and, uniting delicacy of feeling with the stamina of a giant, is capa- ble of great physical endurance; while his deeply set eye and thoughtful countenance show a man of mind — a man of study and observation — of sagacity, industry and in- tegrity. His appearance at the table was greeted with the most enthusiastic applause, the heartiness of which evidently moved his strong heart." He said :
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: Some twenty -five years ago I left my native place in Montgomery Count}', in this State, and settled here, with not the most distant idea, I can assure you, of ever becoming the recipient of such a splendid present as this. As you have seen proper to confer it upon me, I cannot but deeply thank you for it as a mani- festation of your regard. If I have been instrumental in benefitting others while endeavoring, to the best of my abili- ty, to promote my own financial ends — for, gentlemen, like other business transactions, it was a matter of dollars and cents "unth me, by which I expected to be enabled to pay a hea\'y debt which I had the fortune or misfortune to con- tract— I am exceedingly rejoiced. I owe, however, a lasting debt of gratitude to the noble friends who have stood by me in this enterprise, through good or evil report; and to them, I feel, belongs the credit of my success; and to them, and not to me alone, should much of whatever merit may at- tach to it, be bestowed. I have no doubt myself, gentle- men, that I shall be able hereafter to mine and send to mar-
' '• ■•-' •■■_', L-t; •,;(!-. Mr: i] Ion''; ;;!:!r;'-)0 ■""
■:;^ii! Trjjn'iu CI. il;n ,] . . J". / ;•:(■.':.• !j -in 'ni j1 .'/ , '-^ ;•./':■ ' :'• ■ ■ •:' ■j'.di-.: -^fii :♦;; -r^.-^iTi'^' i;. .^lil
/,: , •!:;!■ ■ .' _:v!ri..'-jii;:'v;.' ■■■■ ' ' ■•■' f'.>' I
■; .: < ,; -^ , j:^ ■ : ■.:.:•■'>• . - . • . .c.ii[l >>: In
-■■■rsui 1 ';I
- -J ,j;ni":ovf'jJ. ...
.)>;il .i .lol — fihii" Iri.'.nr.iift nv/o vra -..
be:.
i- ■•'^' .
rr..:<jvn liv-j Tc b-
iniir.j''^ .IvK'-'iLLi Idifob on svr.a I
200 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
ket from the St. Clair shaft one thousand tons of coal 'per da)', of the very best White Ash variet}*, and, in that event, it affords me pleasure to obser\-e, some of my kind friends will receive their reward. Let me say again, I claim no praise. I have, indeed, with some diligence and industry, endeavored to promote my own interests, and to take care of my family; and, while I hope to overcome every obstacle that may present itself in the path of my success — if perseverance can do it — I feel the highest sense of obligation to those friends who have assisted me in this undertaking, some of whom I have the pleasure of recognizing here, and to whom I desire to express my wannest gratitude. Mr. Chairman, I shall hand over to Mrs. McGinnes this beautiful testimonial as the first fruit, and as the evidence of the final and success- ful completion of the St. Clair shaft.
Many toasts were proposed and addresses made during the evening, which contributed to make the event one of unusual pleasure and good feeling, and those who participated in the ceremonies long remembered the oc- casion as one of the most pleasant events iu their lives.
The service of plate is very elaborate and consists of
many pieces, ornamented with emblems representative
of the coal trade. One piece bears this inscription neatly
engraved :
To
Enoch W. McGixxes,
from
Gentlemen interested in the Schuylkill Coal Basin,
as a testimonial of their high appreciation of the intelligence and energy that, surmounting all obstacles, whether of prejudice or of theory, have established the fact of the acces- sibility for practical working of the White Ash Coal measures throughout the entire Basin.
The plate is now in the possession of his son, Theo- dore F. McGinnes, Danville, and is as bright and beau-
/H- '■ .y. ~iO 7.:.. i// -I r?HT
00£
y:::^-: iltitiri
|
! ■;;/'. J -.oiv: |
■■J /■ ". |
||
|
! ■,> :. .';■..'.; |
'.' J :-.' [ ' " |
■': '• 11 ii |
|
|
ji^-ri.' ■ |
'-''•■■'■'J |
i.:: v:J |
i J |
■it:' j.i..'! '
,■ .:■■■>';'-•: •■■.31/
... : cj: .r,'!;.:/"" ■• ; ■ . ,'- ;-.> ' ■:,: .■■■..:.".! mi: '-.■ ■^..■j <:. noigfio ■::;■'■■.;• -- : - ■ii:-i (fjiv/ b-^U' ■::i)J^\': ,^i;'i3:q yncri-
u:;'.:-.'! m'liyvi s.iJ
1 1
AXV«
•1 \
/,.v. v., a
fr *v'-
4 ST'
ENOCH LU. McGlNNES.
0y'r
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 20.I
tiful as it was wheu presented to his father thirty-seven years ago.
Enoch W. McGinnes married, first, Eliza Patton, at Pottsville in the fall of 1833. She was born March 4, 1813, in Green County, N. Y., and died ]\Iarch 16, 1848,
at Pottsville. Issue bv the first marriao^e:
* I, , •, ■ : ■ ■■■■
i. James Patton, b. Pottsville, August 21, 1834; d. De- cember 17, 1883, at Trevorton, Pa.; m. jNIarj' Jones . . at Pottsville, September 14, 1S53. He went out
to the Rebellion with the First Defenders from Pottsville, and afterward was Lieutenant of Com- pany A, g6th Regiment. Issue:
1. Enoch Walton, b. Nov. 19, 1854, living in
Idaho.
2. John Jones, b. March 9, 1857; m.; two -- children, b. in Idaho.
3. Florence Lydia, b. June 27, 1859; m. Wil-
liam H. Weaver; four children; resides at
Shamokin. .4. James Patton, b. March 29, 1861; m.; four
children. ' ■ 5. Maggie, b. August 11, 1863; rn. Steven J.
. •; Baker; two children, b. in Shamokin.
6. Mary, b. Aug. 31, 1868; m. Wm. R. Burk-
heiser; one child, b. in Sunbury.
7. Esther Jones, b. June 27, 1870; m. Steven ■ -^ H. Reen; one child, b. in Trevorton.
8. Burd Pott, b. January 17, 1873.
9. Charles Atwood, b. October 11, 1874.
10. Eliza Jane, b. April 19, 1877.
11. Daniel Dalby, b. August 28, 1881.
ii. Daniel Dalby, b. June 13, 1837; °^- Emma R. Tay- lor, of Pottsville, May 3, 1865, and d. Februar}' 9, 1888. He was First Sergeant of Company H, 48th Regiment, and afterwards Adjutant. In a
lot
VMOT^IH a'^A V.lOiaO 8TI
.<
.,ijr.8i to II tA oiii
..'..',. .. <;> ,.,V .Z /.'■'Mjro3 ri^
s-j-K.'X ■:;.'!■ 5' 'i f'i ,.o'"f ,n'.'.JT0V5"iT Jr. ,f^?,8: .';;i i^dnisD
.::^f':r-']-.'.l 1>il'i '.u!t fHr-r. ..,-., [j-jomM arfj rtj
yj.i^-A ..... .-;,. nJ:dp ..A. ya£q
rfi •j'.'.; /ii .,':.rc.i .(ji .-/oZ" .<' ftrvjf/r/r' JjimjII 3
.;■ ru .d ..': i-iblixi:; OWJ ;7:»yii;a
A'6^1 ,r?s }air>:r;A .d ,v
y. ni jOfilntJjA j-.DiiivriaJiB bnu
202 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. . ' -
letter to his widow his Colonel pays the following handsome tribute to his memory.
Mrs. Danikl D. McGinnes,
Dear Frienti : It atlbrds ui(> .ureat pleasure to say a few words in regard to the military record of your late husband. When he was mustered into the service of the United States he was attached to the 48th lieji't Penn'a Vols., of which I was theu Major, and subsequently pro- moted to Colonel, and in command of the same until ISGo, when I was placed in command of the Post in Lex- ington, Kv.,and afterward to take command of a Brigade. During all this time I was on intimate terms with your ;■. husband. He was promoted from 1st Sergeant to Lieu-
tenant, and during a long time was Adjutant of the llegi- ment. While I was in command (for over six months) (jf the Post in Lexington, Ky., he was my Assistant Adjutant General. After we left this place to go to East Tennes- see, he was detailed to come north in charge of a recruit- ing party, in whicli capacity he served until the expira- tion of his term of service, when he was uuistered out by reason of his health having failed. I can truthfully say, that in all the varied service through which he passed, I know of no one in the command that served with more credit to him.self and the Regiment than did Lieutenant . ' Daniel D. McGinnes. He was always at his post of duty,
-'(even when sick, and when most men would have been in the hospital) whether in battle, on the march, in camp, and while performing the arduous duties of Post Adju- tant at Lexington, Ky. In a word, he was a true, patri- otic, intelligent, brave, manly soldier, firm and decided, but always a true gentleman.
Very respectfully, '■ •
J. K. SIGFRIED, Late Col. 48th Regt. Pa. Vols. & Brev. Brig. Gen'l. POTTSVILLE, Pa., Aug 2;'). 1891.
Adjutant D. D. McGinnes left six children as follows:
1. Elizabeth Taylor, b. may 9, 1866.
2. Taylor Patton, deceased.
rn.i:
SOS
i;firt-.'{ jV',>/i i!i-;| mM .-!.■(/[ ..•'.';; ,.i;// •■:! •.■.d.:1>^ f, ,,)ij['J lilfii: '■(iifn 'jc'i I:' iiiiLiiiiii' ■ ) ■;; . ) . : f -/j-iiii
-yo.t 111 U..,M -til!: I,. ;.fri.i;.,;t --..'i ] irj" >'''■■<!
•i ;t.. ■-!. ■' T v./il;) 'i.'.' -■yui .-; iiii.'«i'C"'. j'.i ii'-.-j' ; ■•• .;i.'-( I ,),-// -■> 1 1
i ..i ■' !; ••.! 1m: 1::.;../ •■^e V ••!;: ..i!i..!.j.; \,.i: :..;■. !■ ';o ;-,!•<;. ■■Ml ■ I' ■■> i.s 'o\ : iHi..i:h.:)', i r.[- <u'/i I M, :•'■// .;;'vri; 'iHi'! ,; /; 'p ■•'.;r- -7. vic! .-IJ/.' ''i! , V >'. ,i:m1-_..; .' > ; ,;; ,'n,;'l „.(■!.!
' ■•-'■'•■; 'i' '.■'ill/.' fi'jU.'ni' •' l.-v-.r I.-.inr/ i;: [',.. .'I !i;iiJ
' -ft'I :tt|
.ddSi ^ YfiiiJ .d
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 203
3. Benjamin Taylor, b. July 8, 1S74.
4. Paul Taylor, deceased.
5. Wesley Taylor, deceased.
6. Gerda Taylor, b. September 7, 1878.
///. Priscilla, b. February 14, 1840; m. J. G. Frick, of Pottsville, November 15, 1865; d. at Pottsville May 25, 1 89 1. Issue:
1. Henry Carey.
2. Mason Mitchell.
3. Annie Elizabeth.
4. Jacob Gilbert.
iv. Theodore F., b. March 2, 1842; m. Kate Berryman, of Pottsville, November 11, 1863. He went out to the Rebellion with Company F, 2d Regiment of the emergency men. In 1880 he moved to Dan- ville, Pa., where he is General Superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Company: Issue."
I. Jane Berryman, b. June 10, 1866.
V. John Patton, b. February 2, 1845; m. Ella Hunt- zinger, of Pottsville, September 4, 1873. Served in Company F, 2d Regiment of emergency men. Living in Pottsville, in the employ of P. & R. C. & I. Co. Issue:
1. Henr}' Huntzinger.
2. Susie Ida.
He married, second, Ann SprouU October 17, 1848. She was born in New York City October 12, 1817, and died at Pottsville, Pa., January 2, 1882. Issue by this marriage:
i. Charles Nathaniel, b. October 7, 1849; m. Mary Gressang, of Pottsville, November 26, 1874. Re- siding in Pottsville, where he is Teller of the Safe Deposit Bank. Issue;
(.,- .Y«nT?IH iVIA '.^icii:>\0 .-.'11
1 1.
'">; 'i/i i:!j:jO .'.^
.-^•f.?:! ,'^1 :9do:tDO IluoiqS riiiA .brjooos .hohiBrr sH t -in ."i8i ,si i9(foJoO yJiQ :^ioY waK nl mocf ?.bw ariS
-■':t'A ll>dlD''>7(i' ' yni .)
204 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
1. Henry Gressang.
2. Alice Foster.
3. Enoch Walton.
ii. Mary Agues, b. July 23, 1853.
Hi. Frances Sproull, b. November 6, 1856; m. Frauk H. Pollock March 4, 1880. Residiug in I,ebanon. Issue:
1. Henr>- Clay.
2. Enoch Walton. ' ■ • ■
3. William. --
iv. Ann Eliza, deceased. V • r , •
'c- •■.
.'■ -'.:. Ii
.^{yy.^A:'/ v. -i-
1 !MT
^Ot.
.9 ' /'." 4
S^Sl5U.^^H^L5^S1E^.5\SU5^■5^5l^^Lgl5^l5^5:?>:
jjJLSlSlSlSlSlgiSlS'tS'LglSlS'LE'.glE^S'.SlS Vl^' ' ^-giHlHlSlSlS ■SlEISlg.Slg lSISISISISIS ->^
A VERY OLD BRANCH OF THE FAMILY IN THE VIRGINIAS.
In a work entitled "The History of the Upper Ohio Valley," recently published by Brant & Fuller, of Mad- ison, Wisconsin, appears the following sketch of a prom- inent family of West Virginia: o, ■ !.'•;■: ...
"The McGinnis family figured prominently in the early settlement of the section composing the counties of Cabell and Wayne and contiguous territory of West Virginia. Edmund, James and Pyrrhus IMcGinnis were brothers who settled there in the beginning of the pres- ent century, and many of their lineal descendants, to the fourth generation, reside in the counties of Cabell, Wayne, Putnam, Raleigh and Wyoming at this time, and a large number in the Western states. The ancestry of this extensive connection was originally Scotch, but settled in the North of Ireland and emigrated from there to America, thus constituting what is famous in Ameri- can annals as the Scotch-Irish population.
A prominent head of this family was Edmund Mc- Ginnis, who, upon landing in this country, settled near Philadelphia, and then moved to Frederick County, Va. His son Edmund married into the Bryan family of Rock- ingham County, Va. ; subsequently settling at Little Levels in Greenbrier County during the latter part of the i8th century. In 1802 he removed with his family
a/. J la OX 17 yniT vii
;,:'';:r-j:''^ jVdV^' To v: -.^i
■,-,7' ;;-;-'r,J-r;:-.; : •'.:-[;;- ;':•••■ •'>:; ■■:■;: /;,7/ r)!ii ' ■ v.
tt^'i
■ ■ r^ , ' 1
.yniiJ ^n{: ' '- ^.;!:i;..'77 7;:;. i!^j7'i^xl ,u:>,(ijtj'l ,on'{BW jud ,i;- ' -■' ■ •* -.'J zirfJ lo
cii/l bnwmh'B cr./r \iimzi r.\i\i lo bisorl 3n. .. . ^ A
>// fV.'nr.rc'J -Ay.~i'3[*2:i''^ n! fyjvo;n rr^rli bfr/ '.':>(,* J'l '' ' J!ir."'7 f<>>ri?r^?:: hr;
•:)i;hvl i )^ vjj' r. ; .iiV ,y.
7fjni;t iirl Hliw bt^vontai 3rf so8i nl .yrnjnyt) rfjc: f?Lij
2o6 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS. :■ 7
•to Cabell County and settled on the farm which after- wards became well known as the Shelton Place, situated on the turnpike between Guyandotte and Barboursville. He raised a large family, all of whom, including him- self, with the exception of Allen A. ]\IcGinnis, moved in an early day to the west.
He was a prominent man among the early people of the Guyandotte A^alley. He was a surveyor of Cabell County when its territory included a dozen of the pres- ent counties. He al.so represented his county in the General Assembly of Virginia for seven consecutive ses- sions. His son, Allen A. McGinnis, the only one je- maining in Virginia, was also a prominent man in his day, being a magistrate under the old regime and high sheriff by reason of seniority in the magisterial office. He was a conspicuous member of the Virginia Legisla- ture in 1832 and again in 1848. When a young man he married Eliza Holderby, member of a prominent and distinguished family and a lady noted for her refinement and Christian piety. They had nine children, three of whom, Dr. A. B. McGinnis, Judge Ira J. McGinnis and Mrs. J. W. Thornburgh, still reside in Cabell Count}-. The father died in his eighty-fifth year and the mother in the eighty-second year of her age.
Judge McGinnis, who resides in the city of Hunting- ton at the present time, in his early professional life was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Cabell County, and held that office up to the beginning of the civil war, at which time he followed his state into the perils of the Southern Confederacy, and served in the army up to the closing scenes of the "lost cause." In 1872 he was elected to the State Senate from the seventh district, and served four years as a member of that body. He was a member of the board of directors of the hospital for the insane at
Jan?, '^'jf!] ?.;; rr^fowA fl'jv/ -j.
-' :o ro (:r/ rt;ci u pcv? oil vi;f!/:V
• • I :'.:U'/ :f::ll u : <:u<yii':,n\-'iiij':) r. ^i.» ^H -■ii u: ■ ^ Uj'Vli , : - ■ ■ ' ■ -' *
'io )-
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 207
Weston for a number of years. The Judge has always taken an active interest in politics, and has been promi- nent as a democratic politician and orator. In 18S0 he was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, which high office he filled acceptably for eight years. He re- mained single until at an advanced period of life, but in 1881 was happily married to Miss Kate, daughter of John W. Hite, a gentleman ofliigh standing and one of the families among the early settlers of Cabell Co. Mrs. McGinnis, unhappily, died in a few years after their mar- riage. She was a lady of culture and remarkable Chris- tian excellence. After some four years. Judge McGinnis was again married, his second wife being a Miss Frances E. Beuhring, who was also a descendant of one of the old time families, a devoted Christian and a lady of re- finement. Her death took place about four years after their marriage. Two of the Judge's children, one of each wife, died in infancy, but a son of the last wife, a healthy, handsome boy named Ira J. McGinnis, Jr., sur- vives to cheer his father during the evening of life.
Benjamin D. McGinnis, son of James, was Prosecut- ing Attorney of Cabell County at the close of the war, and is now Postmaster at Guyandotte, to which office he was appointed April 26, 1889. ,.,
James H. McGinnis, son of Pyrrhus, is a prominent lawyer of Raleigh County.
John W. McGinnis, son of Allen A., resides in Bland County, Va., and two sons of H. H, McGinnis, the youngest son of Allen A., are wealthy farmers in Burk's Garden, Tazewell County, Virginia."
James H. McGinnis, Esq., referred to above, was a son of Pyrrhus McGinnis, who was a son of James Mc-
t;oS //HOIV.IH (IMA ;.
,;j:/vio '-nn ^'ghtt'l ailT >-^r:)'' "^o T^'f• -;:; : > J «nf[ hi:/; ,?.
ni i
•3T ':o {br,[ D Imjb ^tl,l.'^r•Irl^ I>i>.io73b £ ,?3U\fiiiii aiuii bio
■lii> ,.t[ ,^ir
5(!;?rjifli07q B ?:l .SL/rflTV
. iu a r j^ n V ,
-■•I '- --J'---
208 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
Giunis, of Virginia, who was a son of John McGinnis, who emigrated to this country from County Antrim, Ire- land, just before, or about the time of, the Revolution, and he became a soldier in the Continental army.
James H. ]\IcGinnis was born July 30, 1830, in Logan County, near the line between the States of Virginia (now West Virginia) and Kentucky. He was educated in the common schools of the country, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1858. Soon afterwards he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Ra- leigh, Virginia, (now West Virginia,) which oflGce he filled for several successive terms; and he has since acted in the same capacity for the Counties of Logan, Wyoming and Mercer. He ran for the Judgeship of the IXth. District of West Virginia in the year 1880, but on account of political reasons was defeated. In 1888 — although not a candidate — he was nominated for Con- gress by the Republicans of the Illd. District of West Virginia, and was elected by 25 majority. But a dispute arising as to the correctness of the returns from the city of Charleston, his competitor petitioned and obtained from the Circuit Court of Kanawha County a writ of certiorari^ which tied up the vote of that county in a lawsuit; and before it was decided the Governor, who was a strong partisan, proceeded to examine and count the returns, leaving Kanawha out, (a county that gave him over 1,300 majority!)
This resulted in a contest before Congress, with a re- port by the election committee in his favor; but the lack of an independent Republican quorum until eight or ten days before the expiration of the session, and the anxiety of the Republicans to pass the appropriation bills and thus avoid the necessity of an extra session, pre- vented the report from being acted on. His case, there-
■ AOfiU no yJlMA'? 3HT
ar^o.I rii ,0f8i ,r,.r vfwT rrfod ?.cv/ -^^
'yiC!?. -f f! 'h( Hfif. ,.i:,i'.;-ji '^^; .r '■}'. ^\l:■'■ 'lUTi•■•^^? ?i
) -;o'i tun j'i I
lO I'TfO')
'JVK'i^ JjBfft x^"^oo k) ,iuo i.
ii;nn mi.
ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. 209
fore, suddenly resolved itself simply into a question of the passage of great public measures, and what was er- roneously conceived to be the rights of a private indi- vidual. The former was thought to be of paramount consideration, and hence his case was not considered, but was turned over to the tender mercies of the Demo- cratic majority in the subsequent House of Representa- tives. This, of course, ended the case against him.
The Illd. District of West Virginia, before Mr. Mc- Ginnis' nomination, in 18SS, had always been strongly Democratic, and it was claimed and confidently believed by the Democrats during the campaign that their party would carry the district by 2,cxdo majority.
Mr. McGinnis resides at Raleigh Court House, West Virginia, where he is engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.
Rev. David Allen McGinnis was born October i, 1822, near the town of Guyandotte, Cabell County, Va. He spent the most of his boyhood days on a farm and in a store as clerk for his father. In his 13th year he joined the M. E. Church, and has been true to her ever since. When 17 years of age he assisted in teaching a school in Wayne County, Va., and has taught since then, in dif- ferent places, in all about seventeen terms. On the 17th of August, 1844, he received license to preach the Gos- pel. He traveled as an itinerant preacher seven years, and lost his health by cold, wet and exposure. In 1852 the West Virginia Annual Conference of the M. E. Church, granted him a supernumerary relation. After a few years he was superannuated, which relation he still holds. In July, 1852, he moved to a farm near the head of the north fork of Hughes' River, in Ritchie County,
A^
_ _ .:■>■ jffl ('^ ^:. , -,
.v";noi_;.ii; .«->'.,■, :.-.-.- ' .■-■^i -•;(• Ti':
-"lib ni ,n 3rl;;u£J r-.i:.'-? briij ,.cV
t^8i ill
\\h?. ■:. by '
2IO THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS.
Va., and has lived there ever since. Postoffice, Mole Hill. He married Sarah Jane ]\Iarsh on the Sth of Octo- ber, 1849. ^^ ^'^^^ t)y her twelve children, namely:
1. Parmenas Mathias, b. May 21, 1851; m. Re-
becca Victoria Hill, January i, 1S72.
2. Asbury Haniline, b. July 19, 1854; m. Sarah
Bradford January 28, 1S75. Married for his second wife a Miss Davis.
3. Samantha Beuhring. b. February 21, 1856; m.
Warner Coplin June 27, 1875. Has m. sec- ond husband, Aaron Young.
4. Mary Ann, b. March 9, 1S53; ™- Isaac Lam-
bert.
5. Enoch Marsh, b. November 18, 1S57; m. Addie
S. Lawson December 30, 1883.
6. Melcena Jane, b. January' 25, i860; m. Alva
Grimm March 18, 1886.
7. Clarinda Ellen, b. July 28, 1861; m. Francis
McCollough September 18, 1887.
8. Sarah Margaret, b. November 29, 1862; m.
William Lenard Doak October 1883.
9. Armeda Elizabeth, b. November 29, 1862; m.
John D. Britton. Died June, 1886.
10. Eliza Florence, b. November 28, 1864; unm.
Died January 23, 1885.
11. Eina Helen, b. October 9, 1866; d. November
4, 1886.
12. John Houghland, b. September 12, 1870; unm.
He lives in the State of Washington.
Rev. Edmund McGinnis, father of Rev. David A. McGinuis, was born November 25, 1798, in Hampshire County, Va. He emigrated with his parents in 18 11 to Cabell County, and settled on Guyandotte River. He
-3.H i,-; ,r?8i .1'- isd/'. a' ' .j*i .•.
' r,'6 ; .'. >' ■)■■•'' f:';.ov{] c^
.:'■' '.■: 1 ,'r', ! ii'jM.^/. ;;irni'\0
■ ' ' ' ' ' . ! ~ ' ' " • - 1 ' i
T^;v;<n^jvo'^ .b :dd8l ,q i»doJD< ) .0 .11
f r...r^ . ..- (Tt -i. ^^.flr.-*
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 211
was convicted of sin when about six years of age; and was made to weep when first he heard his father pray. He was converted at a camp meeting held on Guyan- dotte River in the year 1815, and ever afterward chose the Lord for his portion. He was married to Polly Houghland, in Washington County, Ohio, June 12, 1S21; was licensed to exhort in 1822; to preach in 1827 — done at Adam Black's, August 11, at a quarterly meeting, and the next year he traveled Logan circuit in Virginia. He traveled during his life seven circuits and preached on many more. Many persons were converted and brought into the church under his labors. He was an active member of the M. E. Church, and did much in various ways to forward the cause of God. He was in the habit of praying in his family twice every day, and he attended regularly to secret prayer. He preached his last sermon the 5th day of March, 1865, five miles from home, and returned home sick, and so continued till the 9th day of the following June, when he died in the triumphs of faith. He said he was dying happy, and gave his hand to all present, and said to them, "Be good and serve God and meet me in heav^en." He died in the State of Texas, leaving his wife and four sons be- hind. Six of his children had passed on before him. His wife died July 6th, 1876. His four sons are still living. David A. McGinnis, his oldest son, has been married twice. His first wife, Sarah Jane, died Novem- ber 22, 1876. He married for his second wife Nancy E. Hammat January 26, 1887. She is a daughter of George Hammat, and was born in Wood County, Va., February 10, 1840. Milville, the next oldest, married Elizabeth Gould, of Washington County, Ohio, about the year 1848. Oliver Asbury married Helen Reckord, of Law- rence County, Ohio. Fletcher, the youngest son, mar- ried a Miss Hager, of Cabell County, Va. Mary, the
IIS .v'worRni a 'Ah moimo ?:n
•/{[■:'^] 0.1 h'jrni;n7 .'-r.v/ -iJ] .(io[l-:.f\ ?.]d lo'i fnoj sAi
■nil vh^njij.f!.-. s. ;:. .11 'y>iir<^.i!h .h'>: -riM r
ar» eew fair'. r ;';.-.',,: ffi .:oI>:hj fir/Tnn'j' '^ffj o:tn}
'.I '
b£i£ ,vr,f; ritjv'.t c-iOiv;: vfirnc't '•{;{ /:; ' r-'vr.iq lo 1
,;::odi .. . ' '■ . -. .
::\]iui3 ..>? ijfii,, ,;'o;rf :i£ .omorf morii
jH ■ ' .rf^JVL-jii ru yfTi j^vuf r riG DOt > 9V
llhft 91/j ?ric>2 Tuoi ziH .dv^i ,
.a V
I
3HJ ,V ,yinnoO fl^cfcO lo
212 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. . i ; 3
oldest daughter, married William Johnston, of Wayne County, Va. Melcena married Frederick Beuhriug. Eliza married Henry Paine. Edmund AIcGinnis' grand- father McGinnis, and his grandmother, both lived to be about 99 years of age. They died in Cabell County, Va., about 1832.
"Thus fares it still in our decay, ' ■"■ ' '' '' ' ; ,; \ -, And yet the wiser mind !■-■".
Mourns less for what ajjje takes away | ' , -•
Than what it leaves behind." .,
Polly McGinnis, wife of Rev. Edmund McGinnis, was born 1797, at Williamsport, Va. Her father, Corne- lius Houghland, left Hampshire County, Va. , in 1796, having married Anna Halcup in 1795. He lived in or near Williamsport, Va., from 1796 till 1801, when he moved to Ohio and settled in Washington County. Some years afterwards, his daughter Polly went to the woods where he was at work, took him by the arm and assisted him to the house, as he had been mortally wounded by the falling of a tree. He suffered twenty-four hours, then ceased to live. Polly was, at an early age, relig- iously impressed, and resolved to seek the favor of God. She was sent to Marietta, Ohio, to attend school. She boarded with a Presbyterian family. One Sabbath she desired to attend the Methodist meeting, and asked the family to tell her where the place of worship was; they refused to tell her. She told them she would listen for the ringing of the bell, and she could find out the place of service. They told her she could not, in that way, find the place, for the Methodists had no bell. "Then," said she, "I will go and stand in the street and wait till some one comes along who looks like a Methodist, and
.RIVT/'iOAV *IO VJIWAH 3HT SIS
jjfihrftioH ..nV ,
V«'W
■■■Jino'J /!^-;j)0 ti;,M .j; / ,.■
,-''i_;1^^ ni ,.f:.V ,YJn;/*.!Q 3"ii.. , —
l.>:>J^r'Vx ;^f:r, rrnn oriJ -^d nihl :4c>o* ,>ho'/7 Is: ?.nv/ on
'l:ii:tJ OC JS ,t,£77 vifo'^ ovif ot .
biBod
•:>:/.'
i>«4u fj'.
- ITS ORIGIX AND HISTORY. 213
I will follow that one to the house of God." She did go out and wait till some women came along, dressed in plain style, having on very plain bonnets. "These," she said to herself, "are ]\Iethodist; I will follow them." They led her to a kitchen, where the Methodists were holding a prayer meeting. There and then she gave her heart to God and found the pearl of great price. She was 14 years of age. She went home and asked her father to have prayers in the family. He granted her request. She prayed. For some time she continued to have family prayer. But her father finally told her he thought she would better not pray any more in the house; so she for a while made it a practice to go into the gar- den after night, and there pray till she sometimes be- came exhausted and fell to the ground. Her parents missed her, and becoming alarmed on account of her absence, would go on the hunt for her. After finding her in the garden several times, and in the condition just described, her father told her to go back again into the house and pray there. She did so, and the result was, the most of her father's family became religious. She had great power with God in prayer, as the follow- ing incident will show: A man's house burned down — the neighbors built a new one for him. He promised his neighbors that they might have a house warming- in the new house. The time for it was appointed, but be- fore the time arrived, some one suggested that they have preaching. The man, finding that his neighbors were in favor of preaching, submitted to their request. A messenger was dispatched to Marietta, O. , for a preacher. He called on Rev. S. Hamilton and told him what he wanted. The preacher replied, "A Methodist preacher always has his gun loaded, primed and cocked and ready for shooting; I will be there in good time." He went and preached; and at the close of his sermon called upon
J" " .feJSifjnoJ
:>( ti o:
'3'...
ariTinnc/ y/t! .bfu/OTg -jjf: oJ 11'/; .otiB h
13/i lo JnnoODJB CIO b^rrnjilr. ^nrfnoood bin:. ,i3n
f. tnr nu-iyf; .•^uiid o^^i O.J."I:j"! ^■o* T3;iJ/:;^ Tjff ,!)::<! no?
- - Ci i
-y ■ ■ c^
A J;- q io i
A" .
214 THE FA.AIILY OF MAGEXXIS.
Polly Hoiigliland to pray. She commenced in a low, feeble tone of voice, but soon her prayer began to go up and up till it reached the throne of God, and power from on high came down upon the people; sinners fell to the floor and cried for mercy, and many found peace with God. The man of the house said to the preacher: " Do you think there is any mercy for me," "Yes," said the preacher, "but you must quit drinking whisky." " Well," said the man, "■ I am going to start for heaven this very night." He did stact, lived and died a Christ- ian. Polly Houghland, or Polly ]\IcGinnis, had a re- ligion that was convincing and overpowering. At a camp meeting she was powerfully blessed, and fell. to the ground, where she lay for some time as though dead. An infidel was present and thought she was acting the hypocrite, as her eyes were wide open. The infidel watched her, in doubt of her sincerity, till he saw a fly light on one of her eye balls without causing the eye to move. He was convinced, and said, " There is no hy- pocrisy." He sought and found peace with God, be- came a minister of the Gospel, and traveled in the Pitts- burgh Conference for several years. It would make this sketch too long to state all the good deeds of Polly's life. Sufl&ce to say, she lived a holy life and died a Christian.
"The Cross! it takes our guilt away ;
It holds the fainting spirit up ; It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
It sweetens every bitter cup ;
"It makes the coward spirit brave, And nerves the fei'ble arm for tight ;
It takes itri ternjr from the grave, And gilds the bed of death with light."
^f.jo- ,. . ,^ ....
-9- ;i . . , . . -Mo'-: T-i ,!...-.i''^,;:ri' vliuT :
.: '■ ■■■■•■,-f:; .'i; •.;;5;; -.; -..i 7ol vr' ■ ■'
i-jhM',:, ;; r .;;vq(' sbiv/ y.-yv/ ^-j/j isfi f;^ ,;:!;,x»qvri
Vj5»ro •Jji/rri •< nr. a-.-%fi,» •»; ' ^BOl' 1 «»t'T'*
; qo'j laJJirt
",it!vil
THE KENTUCKY BRANCH. ,,
Dr. Isaac William McGinxis of New Castle, '• AND Other Members.
Several members of the family settled in Kentucky at an early day, and their descendants are now very nu- merous. They are not only still found in that State, but we find them in Sangamon County, Illinois; Missouri, and as far away as San Bernardino County, California.
Thomas McGinnis, great grandfather of the subject of this notice, was born in Pennsylvania December 19, 1743. His wife, Nancy Tenly, was born January 14, 1759, but the date of their marriage is unknown. Their place of residence was probably in or about Philadelphia. Thomas had three brothers, John, William and Neal. Their father came from the North of Ireland, and his name was Thomas also. The year of his arrival is not known, but it must have been some time before 1743.
The four brothers emigrated to Mercer County, Ken- tucky, in 1778 or 1779, and settled at Harrod's Station, now Harrodsburg. All had served in the Revolutionary war. Here William was killed by the Indians. Some time after his death Simon Kenton moved his family to Ohio and gave them land in the rich valley of the ]\Ii- ami, and from this family sprang many of the McGin- nises of that state.
■;:rJ .•>;.:'R jv i; ■:; ':.■:=! ^[ii'-- /if:o Juf! -rii: V'>n i
.'■ '. ' ' ' ri.
'I ^,'or; .■ '': '' '^.: -
rl'i j ;i<)' ii, ;o .":: >y. /■ v
;.;7/
71 to
2l6 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. .? : "
Thomas McGiiinis and family remained in Harrod's Station about two years, when he moved three miles from the Station, built a cabin and cleared a farm, which still remains in the family. He had four sons — Thomas T., John, William, Erasmus Gill; and three daughters — Elizabeth, Mary and Nancy.
Thomas T. McGiunis married Elizabeth Johnston, and they had three sons and two daughters, viz. : Wil- liam J., Isaac, Thomas Johnston, Nancy and Elizabeth. Thomas J. first moved from iMercer County to Fayette County, where he married, and in 1S33 moved to Grant County, thirty-six miles from Cincinnati. Isaac and Elizabeth still live on the farm in Grant County. They never married.
William J. married Priscilla F. Wilson. Her grand- father was a major in the war of the Revolution, and was killed at the battle of Eutaw Springs. They had nine children, three sons and six daughters, viz. : John T., Isaac William, Erasmus Gill, Judith Ann, Eliza- beth, Frances G., ^MarthaJ., Priscilla and Joanna. All are living except Judith Ann and Erasmus Gill.
Thomas T. !McGinnis was born in Pennsylvania in 1778, and his wife, Elizabeth Johnston, in Maryland, in 1782. William J. father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1806, and his wife, Priscilla F. Wilson, in Montgomery County, Ken- tucky, in 1808. The dates of the births of their chil- dren are as follows: John T., 1829; Judith, 1831; Eliz- abeth, 1834; Frances, 1837; Martha J., 1840; Isaac Wil- liam, 1842; Priscilla, 1845. Erasmus Gill, 1849.
Thomas McGinnis, and his brothers William and John, served in the war of 1812. And Thomas Johns- ton, son of Thomas T. McGinnis, served in the Mexican war.
-iTXr:.:. ^.^ V "-io v.;3 (// •) j;iiT
Oil
■-.i\:'\. '/■.•:;'■ ;'''r.-'— .■: ^•■'(■' .v .-"rv.' c///; J'. '(
-.iV/ ..:.,, .;[.'.''''',■ ' ; •J J J-.' ■- ■' :
b;ll. 'n.:,ri
.-y.Vi ■:\i.
J ij.'
: . :i. .'. ' '■. . • ' -■■-A -v ,--.!;!ni-0 :■!-: f..f;2 HfiU' 3jTliJ ,::'>■! fir;; J OniB
:■■:.-■■.■-,'• 'f-p; .[■'•V - r,£ vT T
Lr.'A {jr. : .'^.;;;wr: -v..
I ,i" .'ii!r.of{T
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 217
Isaac William McGinnis, sou of William J. and Pris- cilla F. Wilson, his wife, had just fiuished his literary studies when the last war broke out. And although but twenty years of age, he entered the Confederate army as a Captain and served as such from 1S62 to 1865. On the restoration of peace, he studied medicine and entered Belvue College, New York, from whence he graduated in 187 1. He now resides at New Castle, Kentucky, en- gaged in the practice of his profession.
It will be noticed that the great grandfather of Dr. McGinnis was born in Pennsylvania December 19, 1743. This is the oldest record the author has been able to ob- tain'of the birth of any one of the name in this country. The Doctor says, furthermore, that his father could trace his ancestry back to the thirteenth century, which was long before the beginning of the troubles with the Eng- lish, which resulted in the downfall and heartless oppres- sion of the Irish people.
Jesse and Hezekiah McGinnis were brothers. They also settled in Kentucky very early. Hezekiah served in the war of 1812, and was one of the few of the United States volunteers killed at the battle of New Orleans. He left a daughter named Margaret B. McGinnis, b. in Warren County, Ky., July 21, 1809; she was about six years old when her father was killed.
Jesse McGinnis, brother of Hezekiah, had a son named James H. McGinnis, b, March 17, 1804, in Mer- cer County, Ky. ; d. February 21, 1856, at his home in Boyle County, Ky. About 1828 James H. McGinnis married Margaret B. McGinnis, his full cousin, and they had issue as follows:
t^ti ..VHOTdTTt CVxA VIIOTMO ?.TI
, ■ ■ f,.';r J icfHriY/ lo HOP
:>.'!} /K.) .f^,<:).Ht '.'"j i.O'r'i ikicji ilot;.^ ^jj i)'D/T>?; brrc i: c
i . - -
JvJLiiJ bi:''j'.; ■:>rhiL.i .;;mI 'n;!) ,0.-
•iUH :>■'' ;riV,' '";'!"iK/T* 5fiJ 'tO ), H J rlltf^^'^a 5(1..
d t''^^'.'
>cl 5ti3 Ji. l>9]Jr>l E'
.1
t\M E bad
V'niJ i^t'-.ni fiiibu^jj
2l8 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. 2!:
1. William H. McGinnis, b. October 7, 1829, in
Mercer County, Ky.
2. Prof. Hezekiah Smith McGinnis, b. March 17,
1832, in IMercer County, Ky. He is a teacher by profession, a calling which he has followed for over thirty years. He resides at Nevada, Missouri .
3. Jesse J. McGinnis, b. December 2, 1835, in Mer-
cer County, Ky.: d. February , 1852.
4. Benjamin W. McGiimis, b. May 19, 1S37, i"
Mercer County, Ky.; d. April , 1890.
5. John B. McGinnis, b. February 28, 1840, in
Mercer County, Ky.
6. Margaret T. McGinnis, b. September 9, 1S43,
in Boyle County, Ky.; d. August , 1864.
Margaret B. McGinnis, the mother of the above family, was living in July, 1891, at her home in Kentucky, at the ripe age of 89 years.
Greenbury Dawson ]\IcGinness was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, in 1800, and died in 1836. His an- cestry has not been learned. In 1828 he married Nancy Martin and engaged in farming. On the death of her husband she took charge of the farm and managed it successfully up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1869. They had issue:
i. James Logan, b. August 25, 1830, in Mercer County, Ky. He graduated from Worcester College in 1853, when he returned to the place of his nativi- ty. In 1855 he married Mary Ellen Cavan, and they had two children: i. Von Lebnitz Hume, b. November 22, 1856. 2. Susan Almeta, b. Au- gust 23, 1862. Mrs. McGinness d. in 1863. The two children then made their home with their
?:.!X'/.H ;».)/: 'io 7jr;//'H :tht Bii
: .:-.■ ^ , • :-'■ •' ■ ■ -^ T .C
_:■>! , rr'':'-.''-/-J •- '■ .'-'/A -niujoD. r.-yj
.. ',.'• - - - :::■;/. ,:, /X ,-if- 'J ^y.ii'i^
:• ; . -'.-ivyi/' J" : 7->l ,7'itrH' J yl voH i!J
.RTC'^y £j8 lo :r;^/, sqii arf)
• ' ■'>■" -- .1' ':j hrir. ,oo<^t :'i Tyrl lo fiji:"f) '.^^J a(') .yaiimEl it; .b-3>j.ysn5 biir. niJifiM
[his: ircvi'.j f . yi
• ;J J . ■■ .' ■ ■ - I - ■ ■
'Jl! I
1'0;ii l..ii«T' J(lix</ii ii^iAj ,'^^oiji i-i^iaj ii-«7 i ft>k i ii ^ OV^J
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 219
grandmother (Mrs. Nanc}- McGinness) until 1865. In the meantime the war caused so much trouble that Mr. McGinness took his son Hume to Hen- dricks County, Indiana, to live with strangers. Here the father taught school until 1869, when he married, second, Eliza Ann McCampbell. The same year of their marriage they changed their residence to Parke County, Indiana, and engaged in farming. They had two children: i. William Delano, b. August 15, 187 1. 2. Ida French, b. April 23, 1876. In 1890 they emigrated to San Bernardino County, California, and purchased a fruit ranch, and are now living at Riverside, in that County.
The son, Von Lebnitz Hume, when he grew to manhood, m. Ella Norman, of Parke County, In- diana, March 17, 18S1, and September 26th fol- lowing they emigrated to Meade County, South West Kansas, then an unbroken plain. There he engaged in the cattle business. He also entered 320 acres of land, which he still owns. He fig- ured with the Cow Boys of South West Kansas, on the Neutral Strip, (or No Man's Land,) or Pan Handle of Texas, until 1887, when the range was fenced and the Cow Boys were deprived of its use. On the 4th of November, 1887, he started for Southern California, crossed the Rocky Moun- tains and located in San Bernardino County, where he is now engaged in the ranch business. They have had four children: i. Lou Norman, b. De- cember 24, 18S1; d. April 14, 1887. 2. Ruby, b. April 30, 1884; d. April 16, 18S7. Both died of pneumonia, and both were buried in one grave in Meade County, Kansas. 3. Walter Franklin, b. September 21, 1886. 4. Warren Howard, b. Oc- tober 23, 1888.
Susan Almeta, sister to Hume, m. William
pT«- f^''-^ f' y.'^~')l9,<^
)i)trt o> J>'>-,iJf.'> ^^:}|
unr. ,r,
M; ^iii'/'ii v/oa y?i. ['rrc .d'
;'«i[ vT-Hfr .I'ir.-fir (t':);j---:(.fnij rrr. n:*;ij
'\ y-i'i'H ;i.Mj'.«8 lo RvoH v/o3 t)dJ rfliv? bsitr
mailli*^ .0
220 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. ^V. r
Hatchett Oct. 23, 1879, in Mercer County, Ken- tucky. She has two children, and the family now lives in Washington County, Kentucky.
a. William Dickson, b. , 1833; ^- Februar}-, 1879,
without issue.
ill. Nancy, b. , 1836; m. Allen Stewart in 1872.
They live in Mercer County, Kentucky. No is- sue. , . .^.. ., (, ,,r ,,■ .^ ., ^„ , . - ■• ,-.» t.r •-.. ■.■-
The following record appears in Power's Biographical History of Sangamon County, Illinois:
I. Davad IMcGinnis, b. , 1798, in Mercer County,
Kentucky; m. Elizabeth Gibson, in Boone County, De- cember 24, 1820.* She d. November , 1844, in San- gamon County, Illinois, and he married, second, Mrs. Sally M. King, of Warsaw, Kentucky, in 1S51. Her maiden name was Spencer. He died July 2, 1S67.
After marriage he settled in Boone County, Ken- tucky, and must have resided there several years, for I find that they had three children born to them in that county. In the fall of 1826 he visited Sangamon Coun- ty, Illinois, and after selecting a place to locate, re- turned to Kentucky. On the i8th of November, 1827, he brought his family to Sangamon County, Illinois, and settled in what is now Island Grove Township. He was accompanied by his brother, Greenbury "Dawson, and in a short time they were followed by two more brothers.
By dint of hard work he broke up land and opened a farm. That he was prosperous we have evidence, for the local historian says that in 183S he stall fed about si.xty head of cattle. This was the first thing of the kind done in that part of the State. He drove them to St. Louis and sold them for $18 per head. They aver-
wo(; '■I^'ii.c'l ;;iij- hire .nyibliri:) ov/i ^iul on^: v:>bi;j
sua
-•jC ,vJ:!jjoO i-i'TOoM :n ,j[to;;dix) ii'. ... ... .f.'i ;.;;lDJfirtf)^
''a.::R iii ,||.^'t. ,. u-^drruv;:'/! .1*) stfci ',or-8T ,|5. "i.'jdfnao
..';M ,I;f:o:)3> ,fjefiiuj.ni -.■»!( bnj> .^icnilil ,7JJ::j<-.J nonifi^ ■i^H .if-'";! Of ,-;>!o.'rin-jJi ,-- ' ■■'' ■ '' -- • '-
:^' ''• ' :j friG^ .;'::> 337ifJ by^:l '.;>'': ^, fi biixl
-.u'r'. I'-^Ji'^iJ 'jJ c>s.8r "to !k"l yrlJ xr). yjuijoo
?>nw s»H .qhlgnwoT svotO bnrJrd v/ori ?.i Jfiifv/ rn hslJI^e
"tor ,T-")a3brv?j vvs;{ 'jw p.Moi-jqaoiq ?j,v/
t ■ ' ■
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 221
aged 1600 pounds in weight. He brought the money home in silver, and kept it for months in an old secre- tary, without locks on it, or on the doors of the house. The doors of the desk were open so that the money could be seen, and several hired men were about, and there never was a dollar stolen.
In 1836 he erected a brick liouse in Island Grove, and a few years ago it was standing in a good state of preser- vation. It was about the first structure of the kind, built in Sangamon County, outside of Springfield.
David McGinnis and his brother William were the inventors of a device for guiding prairie plows by wheels and a lever, which they put in operation in the summer of 1829. It was adopted throughout the prairie country, aud might have made them a fortune, but it was never patented.
His death, which occurred July 2, 1867, was caused by injuries received by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse. His widow was, at last accounts, living at the old homestead, three miles southwest of Curran.
David McGinnes and his first wife had issue:
i. Mary Jane, b. October 9, 1821, in Kentucky; m. Ber- nard A. Vanderen, of Sangamon County, 111., and d. August 5, 1842. Her only living child, John D. Vanderen, is married and lives in Labeth County, Kansas. u. William, b. July 27, 1823, in Boone County, Ken- tucky. June 19, 1845, he married Lorinda Dar- neille. They had three children living, viz.: i.
Zachary T., m., November , 1871, Fannie
Wright, daughter of Dr. N. Wright. They have ' two children; live at Chatham, 111. 2. Emma;
m., December 24, 1874, Jacob Staley. 3. Charles. Ivives with his parents.
tss
.'/iiOTdin (iXA /itoiJio an
r.'o rry ni -•!i{*fio{ii x hnr. ,i'yi'li< m omod
;.::!;« ,,j').foJK 'yiov; fi'^tr? f)'.-!!]' ir:v;
J,
.n.-.-rail) "io J 'j-//;!. ;:;(,>? -.ol'.rn '^^TffJ .bjsyj^tjruorl hlo -^rf} Jb :';i;;-;^! ^lan •:i»l;;v i.-'-Tfl ?.tr{ hns, ^jynfriOoM tuvsQ
■<iau
tr-0
»>r-V r ^r
."J .1
222 TIIK FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. •, • ""^
iii. Martha A., b. September i, 1827, in Kentucky; m. Thomas J. Darneille, of Sangamon County, 111.; d. December 2, 1853.
iv. Elizabeth, b. October 25, 1S29, in Sangamon County; m. James A. Hall.
V. John J., b. February 8, 1832, in Sangamon County; m. Elizabeth Green July 16, 1S55. She was born February 5, 1S3S, in Owen County, Kentucky. They had two children — David R. and William. Mr. McGinnis d. February 15, 1856.
vi. America, b. , 1S34; d. , 1844.
vii. Margaret, b. , 1836; m. R. R. Roberts. Had
one child, and mother and child both died.
viii. David S.,b. December 15, 1S38; d. in i860.
ix. Elizabeth J., b; March 29, 1840; m. John J. Green
April 2, 1867. He was b. October , 1842, in
Owen County, Kentucky. They had two chil- dred — David M. and John M. The mother d. February 3, 1873.
There was no issue by the second marriage.
2. Greenbnry Dawson McGinnis, b. February i6th, 1800, in Mercer County, Kentucky; m. Sally Barkley, of Boone County, Kentucky, Sebtember 13, 1827. She was b. August 7, 1806, in Bracken County, Kentucky. Her husband d. June 29, 1869, of heart disea.se. She survived him several years. ii iir l . 1 e-^ '^\kw
Soon after marriage, Greenbury Dawson McGinnis and wife emigrated to Sangamon County, Illinois, arriv- ing there November 18, 1827. They accompanied their brother David McGinnis and wife, and stopped awhile in what is now Island Grove' Township, Sangamon County, but in a short time they removed to Curran Township, where they permanently located.
*(r^^"v^i ,'♦ t..^yj Lli-f .J J\^ .O
•:■{ c:
IT:' /jT ■■■In] ::■ rit) ri>>
.44..H1 , — - .b .{-{■' , . ! -voiij-unA .'.'j
,:>vib i^:'Oi! biiii'i j:f,.,Tv!l»'im-!'.r-. ,l:''![^ uno
■;i ,:>;.■' - -- ' •.;.■/• :'!! .t'-oi .^ InqA'
t;:(o '■'•■: 'i;,(: -.'/j'.iy .-.'..:■;' :r!-:i/^ •/Jr::>'»3 ivynO
gdc'/
to ,t:>d<^i ,^& Mn;{_ .t
'■ii'. /fjflT .-'^8i ,81 It
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 223
When they located at Curran he prepared logs and hauled them together to build a house. By that time his small store of money was gone, except one-quarter of a dollar. They did not like to part with their last cent, not knowing where the next was to come from, but it was the universal custom to have whiskey at house rais- ings in that country. The raising was therefore de- layed, hoping that they would find some way to obtain the whiskey and save the quarter dollar. The thought was entertained for a time of inviting their neighbors to assist without the accustomed stimulant. It was doubt- ful if they would come under such conditions; but the husband and wife held a consultation and decided that even though they responded to the call and helped them, he would always be regarded as the stingiest man in the whole country, and that it would be better to part with his money than to have such a name. The whiskey and the house raised. It stood less than one-fourth of a mile north of the Lick Creek timber. His neighbors wondered at his going so far from the timber, and as- sured him that he could never raise any but muley cat- tle, because the weather would be so cold out on the prairies that it would freeze their horns off! a-;,^; ■■'. 1 V:.
They prospered, however, and by dint of industry and economy, succeeded in founding a good home. The /as^ quarter was replaced in time by dollars; but they always remembered their straitened circumstances when their humble log house was raised. They had issue:
z. David Ervin, b. Aug. 24, 1828, in Sangamon County; m. Matilda Miller August i, 1850. They had four children: Permelia A., William J., Green- bury D., and Robert. Mrs. Matilda McGinnis d. May 3, 1858, and he married, second, Mrs. Ruth A. Forest, whose maiden name was Greenwood,
'jo I'J?
■! ?!.!■.' ,i:j'yi; ')irir. J ..>] ^i-.v/ j.-','!j -3^:; 3i-j'-.''' ;^;r:i7/nrr^ Jon -r-!.;:i .^ iforf : ^: ■' ^ '^-ff'v j/;:^! v' t^' '.;i;:j i;.-'"-v /i ;; ;;
'-Uipi.lj ;/// ;' i-!;' r(r;;Jr fr in '•.■■;:■ .-ji. j:!; j.rrifi ?fv/ j.^^:- -;.!: ]/'vJ ;::•;< ri'-'Cr ^ '! -f- r^wa;? -jijiuo h;:;vv/ ••^ilj ti [ul ■;:iiJ !•::•! li'.ol, 'h.ii: .iO ; '/;. I n;- r'Oii .i, t-'i:ni ^..l•^' J. . . :
^r'j r;; rh^rrr 1^u:;^r::J? - M' '.^ ■■^bi,.'-yi :>n ri/.vv'j; oIjJOW art
fjrfT ftp
73fi.' UiLi jaiiiiloft Yd 3xrid nr bao/dq^T ?.£v/
>d3
■r ■ ' ' ' "■
224 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. ^J^
They had six children — Scott, Thomas H., Je- rome, Caroline, Clifton, and a babe. The parents reside in Laomi Township, Sangamon Count}-. //. W. Washington, b. March 15, 1830; m. April 2, 1857, Charlotte Jacobs. They had five children: Tabitha, Tedorsiss, Ulysses Grant, Luther, and a babe. W. \V. McGinnis lives at the family home- stead where he was bom.
Hi. Elizabeth, b. September 2, 1831; d. in her eleventh year.
iv. Peyton M., b. August 9, 1833; m. Caroline Neal Oc- tober 22, 1857. She was b. April 18, 1840. They - reside in Curran Town.ship.
V. Martha A., b. March 24, 1835; m. James Brawner April 2, 1857.
vi. Greenbury Dawson, Jr., b. May 4, 1837; m. Catha- rine Jacobs and removed to Bates County, Mis- souri. They raised a family of seven children.
vii. Sarah, b. August 5, 1839; m. John E. Gibson.
via. Robert Smith, b. July 23, 1841; enlisted August 13, 1862, at Springfield, for three years, in Company B, 130th Illinois Infantry. Served his full term, and was honorably discharged at Springfield Au- gust 30, 1865. He m. Mary E. Bacon November I, 1866. They reside in Sangamon County.
ix. Mary E., b. August 12, 1849; lives at th€ family homestead.
3. WilJiam S. McGinnis, b. March 30, 18 10, in Mer- cer County, Kentucky; came to Sangamon County in 1827 with his brothers David and Greenbury Dawson. He m. Mary.M. Kelly in the latter part of 1833. They had one son, John G., b. December 4, 1834, in Sanga- mon.County. He was raised in Jasper County, Missouri; m. Sarah F. Vestal July 10, i860. She was b. February
At^ihlliK-i :/7xl f>fi:I YC^HT >d'
•oQ Iuo'/l ouUdifi'^j err ,■?/<-; J .(' j.-'iiynA <! . ]/ noJysS .\j'\ v-jiiT .oj-8i -'i ^ '"','/•
.^?,?.x ,£ IhqA
.li-jijMi.rj nyV'.'''. lo /I'uiiit >; b'^.nn '{•ariT .hiioa
' .a
•^Umift :HiJ
rfi
yiJc . ' --. i , . <,;•- .;s.."j ..,i.j'"i.L j'-.'j .^iu ;^. ;.;;•':* V i •n-;ix,c..'
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 225
24, 1843, in Harden County, Tennessee. They had two children: Laura E., d. in infancy; Delilah May. Lives at Chatham.
Mrs. Mary AL McGinnis d. August , 1835, and
her widowed husband soon afterwards m. Alta I\L Kelly, a cousin to his first wife. They had one child in San- gamon County, Illinois, when they moved, in 1837, to what was Barry, but is now Jasper Couuty, Missouri, where five children were born.
William S. AIcGinnis, d. October 20 1845, ^^^ his widow and children remained at their Missouri home.
4. Smith McGinnis, b. , 1812, in Mercer County,
Kentucky. He married in Kentucky, but the name of his wife has not been learned. They came to Sangamon County and stopped a short time with their brothers, David, Dawson and William, when they w^ent to Adams County, Missouri, and settled. Nothing further about the family has been learned; but they had one daughter, who is the wife of Dr. E. Artzman, of Springfield, Illi- nois.
,-■ }?-:iu^' -''■ ^ <!!;;:;'>'. I'' 1/' v-
,v::;r'oO ■::3:":i>l'' iw .Sid , • ,c' ^'r. T-OjI/I.riJrrr''-'
'l:j •ncri.i? Off' J-' ' . /uori^n^^-f- ni f/j'iti-m sH ,.7 rr^^f'r.^-^f'.'-. . ■.•::.•:'.;. --jlI'l .h.^r.'-^L'jf i:3od Jon i;f:il
:;::v- -'Cir; :ioji> ■:. ' ' — '
■i;" .,-, (I
Lj'j.fj' ?ac ,n;j<>?^i]-l ,/JiruoJ
.eton
Cl
' u.
t.
GENERAL GEORGE F. McGINNIS OF INDIANAPOLIS.
vv
Cn;
.. :.\r(\\
0(.;Ui
Comparatively little is known of the ancestors of George F. McGinnis. His grandparents, on his father's side, came to this country from the North of Ireland be- fore the Revolutionary war and settled in New York. His father, Alexander McGinnis, was born in Marble- town, N. Y. , February 21, 17S4, and died at Chillicothe, Ohio, January 23, 1852.
George F. McGinnis, the subject of this notice, was born in Boston, Mass., March 19, 1S26, and moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1837.
On the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted and was elected First Lieutenant of Company A, Second Regiment of Ohio \'olunteers, for one year's service. The regiment repaired to Brazos*, Santiago, and marched to Buena Vista, but it was not engaged in any of the im- portant battles on Taylor's line. While making a forced march to Buena Vista the regiment had a lively skirmish with a force of Mexicans under Gen. L'rea. at Rio Frio, and defeated them. They arrived at Buena Vista three
ctlVI7iI(,bI^ .•■ .8IJ0 .
O
.se«i ,^s
,offiO
jIj i-r:>vn«*» V jiJ'i .iiiSiij i/jijw^Ijiii
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 22;
days after the battle was won. On the expiration of their enlistment, the company returned home and was mustered out. Another company was at once organized, of which he was elected Captain. It was known offi- cially as Company K, Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, to serve during the war. The Fifth landed at Vera Cruz and marched from there to another Rio Frio. The in- tention was to join General Scott, but the City of Mexico was captured before the arrival of the regiment at Vera Cruz. The first Rio Frio was about fifteen miles from Monterey, and the second, where the company was sta- tioned until the close of the war, was forty miles east of the City of Mexico.
When Captain McGinnis returned to Chillicothe with his company and was mustered out, he again resumed peaceful pursuits. He was married in Chillicothe No- vember 30, 1849, to Miss. Josephine Rapor, b. in Chilli- cothe September 8, 1830, and is living. In February, 1850, they removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where they have since resided. Five children have been born to them, only two of whom are living.
On the breaking out of the war of the rebellion he organized Company K, of the Eleventh Indiana Volun- teers, and was elected Lieutenant Colonel, for the three month's service. At the expiration of their term of service they returned home and were mustered out, but immediately commenced the reorganization of the regi- ment for three years. Lieutenant Colonel ^McGinnis was continued in the same rank, but on account of Colonel Lew Wallace (afterwards author of Ben Hur) being pro- moted, he was made Colonel of the regiment, his com- mission dating from September, 1S61. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed him Brigadier General of Volunteers, in which capacity he served to the close of the war.
-rj: .YAOTP.iVi (17: A YAijl'AO -rlTI
i'.^ ;r'.;j';,;;.(>.:.» 'Jfil aO .r.'OV/ ?>iW ':.lih:il Dili l^yP.r, avXifo
-1.-./ 11 .. o
,';T-'::'ju;':w / oid'J ,^ .i.'i ";;-i '-T :lJti^I < ,i.J.qfru>'; ?r; ylijjb
' ; i!''r .''lii'i -if'-i f.-:. n;^. ("jj -I:';'; :;!•■■!; ! :-v!:,!-ir:n; Lrrfi
' v:-V J;. ;ir':r-i _.'.)•• ;■! . '. J :!_..•:-■: . ••■: .•;■■.■; :■-; ;<;<-• j^o ^-BW
..:_;■; ■■M^r- .;-'_'.:':i5 !t:0'ii- -j <, ' ••■'i ..■'>: J^'r;"' o:!'i' .XUlO
-i.j:; , r^'' ,' ir;;<;f^'v-:' •'■,[: ■•:.'\;i [>::■■-(-■. •■.;.' ^r:*; .yf fjt'tioM
!,> ,:^;; ;. 1-^' •'-', ': ;■ , . ;.„ "•!(: 'o :).?■■;/.. :^i!j .i/rt;! hunoii
;-•..,■ _,vro-M '!-'::» -t r, ^:-. ••;- ,(- : : >-:■?.'■ [r;.;,t,j,r3 n-jH'.V ' ■■■.;."• tj.-i-r li'r:^;; -tl ,;;• ;• .^o^. n ■:.:; l-r;:". {iinqfji'/O ft'H
:,:'-y,'/q jI .•;-.;;,' -: HnnjOj-Si ,)i^ ■I'ldritor
■•■ mod ■: :^u -^-^Cii ni'-ifiiin? -i';]'-; .f
-•;..v, r,;j; . .
'•;• , ' ^ , ^■;>•■>i; r: , J • 'i ,>frijr;-i 'jtni.K :j:iJ ;:!
228 THE FAMILY OF MAGENNIS. -Z-^V
During the war of the rebellion General McGinnis commanded his regiment at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh; commanded a brigade all through the Vicks- burg campaign, taking part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill and the siege of Vicksbnrg. After the surrender of Vicksbnrg his corps was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, where he took command of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and commanded the same in the expedition up the Tesche to Opelousas, taking part in several small affairs, but no battles of im- portance. He commanded a small body of troops in the rear of Fort Gaines, on Dauphine Island, at the time Farrigut ran the blockade between Forts Gaines and Morgan, capturing, or defeating the rebel army.
He was afterwards sent to the mouth of White River, Arkansas, in command of a larger district, where he re- mained several months. From the mouth of White River he was ordered to the command of the District of Camden, Arkansas, where he remained until September, 1865, having been in the service four years and five months.
General McGinnis' military record is a long and hon- orable one — a veteran of two wars. While in the field the Common Council of Indianapolis, by way of com- pliment, named a short street after him; but considering his long service, divided between two wars, they might have named a long street after him, instead of a very short one.
There are a large number of the name of McGinnis residing in Indianapolis, the city directory alone show- ing twenty-six names. There are probably a hundred or more men, women and children in that city to-day named McGinnis.
!5rl.! lO'l A .i:;->;d:tJ-:)i/ i'.- •i!;,.^;< •.•:(: ' ;'r; i!iH f ^ 0
-ru; ;c ;' 'f/f' ,• :i;.''': inn:;- Ji.'(.//i'r'' ;;■ JT^q
,i07i51 -At.ri'vV "lo I'lLtorn i^;!] oi :;i:j- >h-i-r;--;;/i-j.?lf fe^^v/ oil \';;ilV/ IvJ ■!'!;'(./.>: ;•.;!.; :;u. '•! .^ritf^nr l,L:i'Vl>fi ,'
3711 bn/i >:Ti/j7 luol eC'ivia? 3f;i it. ni.-?d" ;;;nJ/f^ii ,?.08l
.?.ifJnom
- .■• v) lo vf.-// vcf ,2:Ioq£n?;ifH!l "io lioriuoD nonrmoQ aiiJ
•■nsv >? lo bfioJ^fti ,rnid ifjJl^ iDsiia •^w^i\ a b;jnix;n avfiri
,-3110 Jioria
f:;.'^ii;!r>M/ 'to '^n:£n -^tlJ to :'>drr. r:
ITS ORIGIN^ AND HISTORY.
229
General ^McGinnis was the youngest of eight chil- dren, all tjoys, and he is the only one living to-day. He had a brother, Robert H. McGinnis, who was appoint- ed an assistant surgeon in the regular army by Presi- dent Polk in 1847. He was ordered to join his regiment in Mexico, and a few days after his arrival at Vera Cruz he had an attack of yellow fever, which caused his death.
The General had a nephew, Charles J. ]\IcGinnis, of Chillicothe, Ohio, who was a Captain in the Sixty-third Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, and served for three years.
en! b'■^^liB^ (ioiflv/ ,":'j/'j'. 10 :-ij;.;lL :
b '^iJj (it n:.L' js;0 i"> ,•-;■;:!' '
vas ;T.'U;d •.'.!
1. F C
t-j.- ;s 'U
JOHN S. McGINNIS OF LARKSVILLE, PA.
!C1;, bv
John Stoneman McGinnis, of Larksville, Luzerne County, Pa., is the great grandson of Paul McGinnis, who emiorrated from Ireland some two hundred vears ago and settled in Bucks County, Pa. In course of time he had one son born to him, whom he called Timothy. When Timothy grew to manhood he married and had four children, named David, Timothy, Dorothy and Susan. David, the father of the subject of this sketch, had seven children named, respectively, John, Timothy, David, Sarah, Amelia, Elizabeth and Catharine.
John S. McGinnis was born in Warren County, N. J., January 26, 1S12, and when a young man of 23 he lo- cated in Luzerne County, Pa., February 8, 1835, where he has ever since resided. He was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed through life. He married Mary Hoffman in July, 1836. She was born in Wilkes- Barre May 2, 18 15.
They located in Larksville, a short distance north of Kingston, where they have resided for many years.
.f-'i .HJjiv^vi HAvi HO ai/y'u»j'^ /^ 'y\v:^\
r-.T;:';',;' > r.v : ■_• r.'ioit
fif:/> yrlJoToCi .yrlt^aiiT ,b!-'sO ^)=;^r;r.n ji-n-ibViih ind\
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 23 1
They have four children, John, David, Susan and Cath- arine. The eldest daughter is the wife of J. L. Pace, of Larksville.
Mr. McGinnis was noted in his lifetime for activity and fleetness of foot, and he was a famous winner of foot races along the Susquehanna. The following, taken from the Historical Record^ by Dr. F. C. Johnson, is an interesting account of his exploits:
"In the spring of 1836 Mr. McGinnis made an event- ful voyage down the Susquehanna for the Baltimore Coal Company, after the building of the Wilkes-Barre schutes, boat sheds, wharves, cars, etc., had been com- pleted, and things were ready for the shipping of coal. A large quantity of lumber was left over, which, by the order of Supt. Alexander Gray, was put in a num- ber of small scows which were lashed together and towed down the canal to the outlet of Solomon's Creek, and thence on by the Susquehanna River to Port Deposit. Prior to the start a match was made for a footrace for $15 and the drinks, distance 50 yards, and it took place on the Wilkes-Barre bridge, between a man who worked in the woolen mills af old Laurel Run (now Parsons) and McGinnis, which was in favor of the Wilkes-Barre boy. Steele's red tavern on Public Square, was resorted to. McGinnis' reputation as a runner was spoken of through- out the valley, and traveled down the river ahead of the scows on which McGinnis was to embark on the morrow for Port Deposit. At Shamokin Dam a York State Yankee raftsman, who was a runner of note and had beaten all comers among the river crews, and those that lived in towns along the route, was anxious for a tussel with McGinnis, of Wilkes-Barre. Bill Poland, of Wy- oming, who was pilot of the scows from Wilkes-Barre, said: 'You are a smart pony, but I have one here that
iTt .YAO'in.in a VI A i>^i
'to ,^;>.r.4 .vl .[ lo sstiv*
; y
Jof.tl "lo T^riiiiw snoini;! i^. ?.f.7/ -jii hni; Joo'f "lo i- it~:-Ji;3 ,^j^fv/oi[ot od'V -i odj
rifi fii ,no^,nfio1 .0 .'I ."Kl
-JiiiiVJ fir, sb/uii ^ninitj-jl'/l .tU ci?8j "lo y;fihq8 yib nl** T orii i(h £>■ -^;fj riv/ob
:^-. . , .'vV -Jilj 'lo • _ , loflfi .YtlE. .;
-ntOO ;.''j-5'' i).'.;." ,.JJv tfTiili ,^.-j»V '.r:; ;■•■'' ,'ih^li?. JBCK^ Jr.oD to ;-ii:.'4v;L:!.- )di lot vhattt 'jiav/ ggnrilJ uiti yd jijiilv/ ,i37o 3i-j[ aBT/ i3(J.n;;;i 'to Y-'
hov/o; I; !;.. i^fiJi^Qo^ [>'bilitiA -^vyfj ilorifv' gwoae ilfitna to idd
I-; / : ;
9Xi> it
Jhii: r'T.'; ;!iju •.r.'K;: j j);.j .''ici., j i.iiir j. ijvai
232 THE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
will run against anything you have for $50.' The money was forthwith staked, and the race took place that day, which was again favorable to McGinuis, who took time in the race to look back to see the slim Yank yards be- hind him. Over $200 exchanged hands at the race be- sides the stakes. Wilkes-Barre sports were now jubilant, and the making of racing events for their little home favorite was the only topic of conversation. Port De- posit was safely reached without anything eventful tak- ing place.
"Upon the return journey several races were made, one with the landlord of a well known hostelry at Hali- fax, who had heard of INIcGinnis' fame. The wager was made for $50 and the race was run, the Wilkes-Barre boy leaving the hotel keeper behind by three feet. The $50 was paid, and the landlord threw in the breakfast and treats.
"Nothing further took place until the packet arrived at Danville. They repaired to Dean's tavern, and after a little refreshment the Wilkes-Barre boys wanted to know whether there were any men around who followed foot racing. They received a reply in the affirmative. The Danville sprinter, an Iron worker named Lee, was sent for and a match for $50 a side forthwith arranged. The race took place on the Danville bridge, and Mc- Ginnis was the winner by five feet. About 500 people were crowded on the bridge to witness the race.
"Upon arrival in Wilkes-Barre McGinnis had enjoyed the trip, and had won $200 and an overcoat.
"In a few weeks Supt. Gray sent them down again to Columbia, and on the journey downward they were confronted by Lee, who wanted a return race, that he might have an opportunity of winning his money back. The race was for the second time in favor of young Mc-
;fr'i': :f ■■■3 <!;[w ,^.;:! r; r-' '' ; ;.■! vj yKf j"c' •';.: ".J:.;-- .^A
.'<f ■■■I''': ■■:'.' -Aiifyl mil'', jii; :?i>.-- oj ;!::■{ :;oo. vl ; .• Si
'f;.r<.;r V- '.'■■ ■;!. ^ - J ^"".]^ 'IV'!..' i •>:; -■J ; v'.' ^ •!. .!•■ :j.JJ ^^-.^Nw
. ;! i;i. ■'■■.'" ;;;:.h;-'iK ''■or!:!^' !: •:: ■■ i;!': ■ ■ ;,■ 'r-'oq
■ ■: ; ^ni
■r'v !■; ;., ■• i! .;;',•■(:( • ■ ,:—:!;.• :. ,.; ■ • ■■,.: :^' .:'■.:- >r -^rro
:., A- '■•,;', '.V ■;>;!',] /n!'.! -f n-f: 'r ' . *' '•■. ;fr;,-^f! i:i;:, ,;[?; ,XAi
'■. i ''■'--;..■' ':'■'''' .;': ,;'•■.; '-'u/j -.. ::■ ■■:[' [jiu '[\''': [r-\ ••A^y.ni
-ivir-i: '^I'i''] 'KJ ! i.:; -.;';. u; i-"'v j->;[ji;:'l ;:.;f;.
•■'iy. buy ..:■:: y}.y) ■1;:....^ c;' /wr ••;■ •.•3f(T .■,.!i:v:.j,'"T Js
-. hr u'- r.; -T. ;;t / rr - 'v '.•.v >■' ^;rb •t?ll.:i.!-.v .:onA
rriirofc ifVAob nr-iin Jrr-if vi:,uJ ..trrn'i >yli«->'/7- v."j5 ral"
■0!.'! -vnrrrvv ri ^JTttr
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
233
Ginnis, who was then triumphantly carried through the bridge by the immense crowd that filled the long struc- ture."
At the present time(i89i) Mr. ]\IcGinnis and his wife are residents of Larksville, and although he is now in his 80th year, he is in good health and a remarkably well preserved man. He has given up foot racing, but he can walk as briskly and as far as any man of his age in the populous County of Luzerne. His wife also sur- vives, and with the exception of defective eyesight, is in fine condition for her age. She comes of a long-lived ancestry, her father having lived to the age of 98.
T -.^
Vp'-r -;'v'-.i*
\v
I ■ ■' ' .
<') r-A::-' !;=
h-
•■■crK
<J^
YiioTarH aKA viioiJio .?.ti
oi'j ti'j^MK/!;'.; h'j>\r!r.3 y\ir.),\\<]:i-".'ri:i no(h ^07/ oriw ,2r;TTr'>
M,f {.'.(I/:. <:ir,!:f!r.'':;.l/!' ./I/' (rr
-ro-^ o>:;n jtiv/ ^'il .";:r::>xu.i lo v^vrjoJ Huoiaqoq 3(1J ni
-; ■ " h in Jii i ''tf 77 '
' ■. . 1-; 'iii^i , ■ ■;'"."! ''vii til
''Vr
a^^i^i^SiB^isa^feigjifeffl^^ffla
X/[ISCELIvAKEOUS.
JAMES ]\IAGINNESS OF HARRISRURG, PA.
^' James Magitiness was a native of Ireland, born about 1780. State Librarian, W. H. Egle, ]\I. D., his biogra- pher, says he was educated at Dublin, and at the age of twenty came to America, locating in Philadelphia, where he began the profession of teaching. In 1S07 or 180S he was invited to take charge of the Harrisburg Academy, and removed to that city. He conducted the school until 1810, when he relinquished his position and entered into mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Fred. W. Leopold. Subsequently, about 1814, he resumed school teaching, and all his energies for a number of years were devoted to that calling. It was during this period that he compiled his "System of Bookkeeping," and the "New Arithmetic." Both of these works were pub- lished at Harrisburg for the author, by William Green, in 1821, and copies now in existence show them to have been complete and valuable works. His Arithmetic, especially, is a work of more than ordinary merit, and shows him to have been a mathematician of high stand- ing. He published the Arithmetic by subscription. It is a comprehensive work of 372 pages, and is well filled
.P^'JOli >'/.. l-J, :^i 'JrillA
z>ifi\ •:•' '<:'..i'///:^y)j,ii ^.:{'":ki
-■■ ..;/ . ,■ ,-- !.. -.1: w. ■■■ /r
... .-.^
.... ... /'J
v.- >;•:/;•:) 7
/jrJuntfhn A v-iH .avf-iovr
bn£
n .n<
V'i Dil^trjili; ;./. 9(13 h
fr) !i.
it>^. «i UiiL ,fef>8ijq s^f; tc
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 235
with problems from "Notation" to the "Computation of Shot." In his preface he says that "for originality and usefulness he is not afraid to compare with any book of Arithmetic which he has yet seen published," and closes by saying that "he professes to be the public's humble servant." The book was copyrighted on the 30th day of July, 1S21, which was the forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States. For many years his publications were extensively used as text books in the schools of Central Pennsylvania, and to- day they are much sought after by collectors of old books as something rare in the educational line.
While engaged in teaching he studied law at Harris- burg and was admitted at the March term, 1820. In 1821 he was appointed Deputy Surveyor for Dauphin County. He had previously been surveyor for several State commissions authorized to lay out certain roads and county boundaries.
His wife, Ann Leopold, a woman of rare accomplish- ments and lovely disposition, to whom he was fondly devoted, dying March 18, 1828, so preyed upon his mind that he sank under the affliction, and died the 21st of May, 1829. Mr. Maginness was a gentleman of un- doubted integrity, an able teacher and a good citizen. The records do not show that he and his wife left any issue.
HON. MARTIN MAGINNIS OF MONTANA. '.
The father of this distinguished soldier and repre- sentative in Congress was born in County Clare, Ireland, and came to New York when a young man, where he married. He belonged to the family of Magennis of Newry, Mourne and Iveagh, the seat of the Magennises.
nu,; "' .'.'>ii - '■':■- ft ^■-■- / :' •■. : :■ .: v/ -■; j- , . . .0
. ■;■ , ,:■ '■■-:>.' rf'To' ; ' :'.'.■<■. ■■:. . ' ■;;;'■./■'■".--: ..■''Uiinil
/■.-, -,, t'- ' '.' '"' - "': ':.■■::■ i':,:,' .■:\-^ .-■[) .-ik-j/
-.■.:..;.-;', •,: ■.:.,'■-:■ < ', - ' ■) '.: ^.,...:\.,.. ;,;; r .J,,o(i
! ': ■■< .- .. ■,■■ J: ' ■ ' ■/- ' ■•'.;, ' ■':. .:' "■■-. .■.■!' ..,1 < ;;■• /- I'j yfih ,-.1.! ■ '_ 1" ■' ''■■•.':•!■-_';.' '. .. ■ >■':.' IT .. .-/:. ^-ii^'iod
■;'; /■<- .1 , : ■ .■ )'-_■'. ' .' ■-.I' \^^ - ■■ ,. .■!::■' .. • 'fi y/.iid
..■,,'..', ; ' ■■■,:, ■ ■ . : ■ :r , . • ;,-. -h.v; ■•-<; ,ij./- 1
-r,_-: ^•'. :- .^ ■ .<.- V,-: • ■ , -.,;;■ ■■ - ;.■; -.,--'iair:;'.', oir.i'd
236 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
]\Iartin Maginnis, the subject of this notice, was born in Wayne County, N. Y. , October 27, 1S40, and removed with his parents to Minnesota. He was a student at Hamlin University, but left to take charge of a newspa- per. On the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted as a private in the Volunteer Infantry in 1861. After the first battle of Bull Run, in which he participated, he was made a Second Lieutenant. At the age of twen- ty-two he was a First Lieutenant, a Captain at twenty- three and a ]\Iajor at twenty-four. He served in nearly all the battles of the Army of the Potomac. In 1864, when he was appointed Major of the Eleventh ^Minnesota Volunteers, he was ordered to join the Army of the Cum- berland, where he served until mustered out in 1865. The next year he removed to Montana and engaged in mining, and in publishing and editing the Helena Daily Gazette. He also studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He was elected a delegate from ?»Iontana to the Forty-third Congress, at the age of thirty-two, and was re-elected to the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth Congresses, as a Demo- crat. When Montana was admitted as a State he made a vigorous canvass for L'nited States Senator, but failed in securing the nomination.
Very few men of his age can point to a more brilliant and successful record as a soldier and a statesman. He is a resident of Helena, and is largely identified with the business interests of that thrifty mining city of the mountains.
JOHN McGIXNIS, Jr., NEW YORK.
The ancestors of Mr. McGinnis were residents of New Jersey, both on the side of his father and mother. His
]f /'M 3'Ur
o;s:
(-,■<: ;.f:V/ .:^>0!.
~i 1..
f •<>• 'M^r- ;. r.i • ::::-:■'.; ■''.'^. ;iji>A/
- - '"!:■: ,■ 'i ■■^r-. ■:.■■■: r.:::;cH , ; , -r-: ^.j'.'lf-no -:l\. ■■.1 .jj^j
; i ■'";.''.!:; ,; ■,:'.'' r'' .' r^ : ":'' r"/i";i't ,t; ?t:f:
.:.!•.■;: .; ! :■ :-. , -;b^.:; .-kv/ ^rf
•■■•*-■■!/!-'.-: : ^v_. '/: .; ;.,>; rrjrf^
.■■ ■■;;■!■' '. i:; ^; • : '^ ,: :«:M Hb
'i. ■: ; [■■: : _.' ■: ■■ ■; .•,, • :,.r. '■. r\-/f
'.■ .; ;■- w! •:,.. ,, ..:: 'ulT
. ;■ >:: : •• -;;: •:.H ;v.Vv^.t.o
. , /:: ■; ;, ■-.. - ■/" ■->:■'. ■:l- .lad
;■:■.. y-^j -ii- , -'•i-^' ;r jLj I'nii- (iicvi
. :-)\v. ;;;:! .■i;:.:;'j>! ;:■ ,■.•'-'■ ';■:::);.' >■■. ■.• :■■[. vr^f /:i.'^;v £
• Ij^ -'311; iit'in vla-^T^i '.i L'.f£ ,).r";ji:^II "lo :rr3J.>ip^!-t ,fl gi
;n
' : y. ■'i ■.'/
"//•j>^ ,.>i); r::/>:K:^-.,'.; '
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 237
father's mother was Miss Hedden. Her father was Gen- eral Hedden of- Revolutionary fame. His mother was Miss Woodruff, daughter of Obadiah Woodruff, of New- ark, N. J. The branch of the family from which the father of Mr. McGinnis descended, came from London and Sussex, England. There were five sons and five daughters. One of the sons was named E. W., but he was not the E. W. rvIcGinnes, of St. Clair and Pottsville, who sunk the first shaft to tap the mammoth vein of coal.
The subject of this sketch was for many years presi- dent of a bank. He retired from business in 1864, and in 1866 President Johnson appointed him Minister to Norway and Sweden. In the fall of 1867 he returned to New York and engaged in the banking and brokerage business, continuing therein up to the present time.
He is now president of the Penn Anthracite Coal Company, of Schuylkill County, Pa. ; president of the Mt. Carmel and Natalie Railroad Company; president of the W\'att Chromatic Printing Company, of New York, and treasurer of the Idaho Mming and Navigation Com- pany.
The career of Mr. McGinnis has been a long and hon- orable one, and he enjoys the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends. His place of business is No. 84 Broadway, N. Y.
WILLIAM McGINNESS OF NEW MEXICO.
The parents of William McGinness were natives of Ireland. IMichael, his father, was born in Balbriggan in 1809, and died in Dublin in 1879. He had three broth- ers, John, Hugh and Patrick. John died while in the
'J>'-i
f/;
|
'■ OUf/ |
|
.■?,0D |
|
■ ..-i')b |
|
'>^^ nr |
y b.
s/i ;..;llj-;1ji/^
jl: ui:-n'.:., v.';ii
oT,
'i ir.f.TTO^
oizji<c v;ai< H«o aaH/i>!io.i.^ iaaililw
i;i>i;)<.l .u !.',^rf' bar. ,0081
238 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXXIS.
employ of a lawyer named Cosgrove, as steward, who owned an estate seven miles north of Dublin. Hugh came to America and settled in New York. Patrick also emigrated to the United States, and when last heard from, was living in the State of New York, near Lake Erie.
Michael learned the trade of a weaver in Dundeath, but owing to an accident while a child, when his right arm was burned, he was obliged to leave the business and seek surgical aid in Dublin. At the " House of In- dustry Hospital,'' an institution supported by the gov- ernment, his forearm was amputated midway between the wrist and elbow. When convalescent he was given employment in the same institution as messenger, and there he remained for fifty years, until his death in 1S79. He married Ellen Johnston, born in Clandalkin, near Dublin, in 1806; died in Dublin, 1S6S. They had issue:
i. Frances, d. in infancy.
a. Sarah, b. in 1834; m. Nicholas Kelly in Ireland, and subsequently emigrated to New Zealand, and re- side in Blenheim, Marlborough County. They have a family. in. William, b. May 15, 1S37, in Dublin. Attended the schools in that city, and then learned the trade of a printer with Alex. Thom, who conducted the government printing office in Dublin. In July, 1857, he came to New York, where he visited his uncle and spent a year. He then, in 1858, euHsted '• ' ■ in the U. S. Army, and was sent as a recruit to
join his regiment — the Fifth Infantry — at Camp ' Floyd, Utah, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnson in command. In i860 the regiment was ordered to New Mexico, and when the rebellion broke out in 1 86 1 it found them engaged in fighting the Nava- joe Indians, whom they subdued, and in 1862 they
.r:: ::/:•;;/.!/ no y iM'-./m infr
: ., ■■ .t;,:''Jr.;('l tc. ;!M(;i; ,'.'i'f,.; ,:r;-.'-- " ;.,-- ) r:?; jiau'vo
: - t"' ri'-:»ii'V ,.'j!^ :i ; .; ■■ ';, /.7 ' ':i')b
r;r! :''nJ •.■7£')! c-i
,[):':.r; M-'f ,^';-.;^ rrn/:
,T•,■:^:•. -■ n\- >■■'■'
'■,..■'■■•.,;' , ' ^ ..■ . M ' . ''Mil)
,■ . - • // • .■,; .' ir:i; ^cliW •>!!f
' • u. ':•: ;n .'(.J^jdJ'j
.;-:'''i n' ''•.'-:'.: • .'. ' •'■'.! ,■".'■-?' ' "'■ :■' " '- ■'■' 'J"-'';'
i':-',! i ; -''; '.;' i „.• :-, , ■ ".i I'v' :•■•''. \ r ■'•]. ■. .• :■ u u '.>\i
■}■ ■-.-■: ! : li 'v '■.;" .--'^^*'-''' .'', '.■<'■/ . ■' . I ;■■■■■ ; ■■■'''■: L'' ,i!;i<'*un
'.•;m; ■-■ '. -.. .:■-:■{ .•
,v./i f -(atiU' „' !jj;:i07odl"fn'I/!- Ai:>:-An:uS iTf ■ybr-:
' ; -,-- » - , .
'h,.' ';' ";■•; .*; .-■i''^-n>; ■ ... - •:■. .
■■ r^y. - hi
~}i^{ I. u
■': K.''":?i K HZ Tii^ ?!£■/.'■ brii; , <_unA .<i .U 9fiJ ill .
■ ■[;:. tl; Ji? — viJiieioi if/lil ydr ■ "' '■">•,
.•■ i^'>-::.-!':;T -.i-r;!-:-: ^-:->j:.A !' .^
■^ ' r'i!;; ....>v:x?I/ wijX
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 239
were engaged in fighting the Southern troops un- der General Sibley, and succeeded in driving him back into Texas. On the loth of April, 1863, his enlistment of five years expired, and he was hon- orably discharged as he entered the ser\'ice — a full private soldier. The same year he was offered a commission in the New Mexico Volunteers, but declined, as he had seen enough of militan,- serv- ice in the regular army, and besides there was no more fighting to be done in that section, nor hopes of any.
After retiring from the army he was engaged in various pursuits, such as carpentering, hotel keep- ing and farming, until 1S75, when he accepted the post of editing and publishing the Albuquerque Review, a "half and half" English and Spanish newspaper. This paper he conducted until 1881. When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail- road reached that place, he sold out and took charge of the printing of the 'Revissa Catolica, a Spanish religious paper published in Las Vegas, N. M. Here he remained until 1882. when he returned to Albuquerque, and was made Justice of the Peace, Postmaster. Notan.' Public and School Director, all at the same time. The justiceship he held for three months, when political enemies succeeded in ousting him. The postmastership lasted three years, but the other two offices he still continues (1S91) to hold. He is President, of the Catholic Union, and Recording Secretan,- of Branch 378, C. K. of A. The latter position he has held for five years.
William McGinness has been twice married. First in Albuquerque, January 8, 1S65, to Maria Leonor Terma, who died Januar>' 17, 1874, by whom he had three children, viz.: i. Roque, b. August 16, 1868. 2. Martin, b. October 8, 1870.
::i' ;■' ■..:'. .,'V.W<;
- " i
Kt;
-■'■■(' ' ' ' ■
;■•>;' -i;;n 5ri Hon;-: i'l -^iifJel 3fiT -A to Zi :j ,8ve
240 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS.
3. Leonor, b. May 21, 1S73; d. October 7, 1874. Roque, or Roger in English, and in Irish Rory, was married September 26, 1S87, to Josefa Ro- mera, and has had two children: i. Sarah, who died when four months old. 2. Marie Irene, now (1891) an infant eleven months old. Martin has left home and lives in Arizona.
He married, second, Encarnacion Romero July
22, 1S74. The}' have issue: i. Maria Irene, b.
January 2, 1870; d. July 12, 1SS2. 2. Victoria,
^■'•.''■■" b. June II, iSSi. 3. Jose Miguel, b. September
^^'' - 25, 1883. 4. Juan Bernardo, b. January 30, 1S86.
S. K. McGINNIS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
Samuel Kennedy McGinnis, now of Jamestown, South Dakota, was born at Mt. Jackson, Lawrence County, Pa., in September, 1842. He enlisted as a private June 8, 1861, in Battery B, First Artillery, Pennsylvania Re- serves, Volunteer Corps, commanded by Captain William McClelland, of Pittsburg, now Adjutant General of Penn- sylvania. Private McGinnis was promoted to Corporal October 12, 1861; to Sergeant April i, 1864; mustered out June 6, 1864 — expiration of term. He was wounded at Second Bull Run August 29, 1S62.
Sergeant McGinnis proved himself a brave and dash- ing soldier, and Adjutant General McCllelland, who esteems him highly as a friend, always speaks of him in the warmest terms as an excellent citizen and worthy man.
JAMES McGINNIS OF GREEN COUNTY.
Nothing has been learned of the ancestry of James McGinnis. He resided at Greensburg, Pa., and had a
•r</:-i;.i/,i/: '-i^ v.in/.A't Tinr oj.s
.1 - '...,.
:^ .).;'. .i' .- ;.: xr> .
uTFLiri , ;■/'". yHi--\ {(■) ■•■ :.• . '.u'lD'j^f :^'M\:\';l'\ \'ji\\i::.'r'.
j; ; . : ■ if;? oH r. ,.": u
■» •.•i-.: ;•■■■:/. -.•;:,-! :: v;:,. .i
.7t;: ■ J ro ;^h3>to 'IC' ^r/
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 24 1
wife and two children. Early in the morning of July 14, 1891, he lost his life suddenly in a singularly sad way. He arose early and went down stairs to start a fire in the kitchen stove. In the meantime his four-year- old son, Herbert, got out of bed, and finding a Winches- ter rifle lying on the floor, raised the butt end and pulled the trigger. The ball passed through the floor and plas- tering in a slanting direction, and striking Mr. McGin- nis in the head — who was sitting on a chair by the stove — injured him so badly that he died two hours af- terwards! ■ '
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
William Franklin McGinnis was a member of the In- diana House of Representatives, from Putnam County, in the Legislature of 1S57. Nothing has been learned of his ancestry and family, or whether he is yet living.
IN THE MAIL SERVICE.
W. S. McGinnis, of Ohio, was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Railway Mail Service April 6, 18S9, with headquarters at Washington. His duties require him to travel through all parts of the United States, and he is therefore one of the busiest men connected with the postoffice department.
HUGH McGINNIS.
Hug-h McGinnis came from Ireland about the middle of the last century, and soon afterwards settled in what is now Westmoreland County, Pa. Nothing has been learned regarding his wife. Toward the close of his life
•/'.'\ Jf,. ;,:':i!;"tk'ii! ':;il? 'J/ ■';..>"! .rt'r' ' r i '["^ o'.vj bfi.^ sAiw ; i:;^ vliLiir^im, :.-. -i /';r'.r>f.!;. :M'i ^'ii ;'<;if i,(f ^(jiii ,fi '■ "''iJe >:>.) .^■i;';:- r-v^'b .':;:■■■.'. 1 m. vI-j^;-:.' r-^.yi:: oJI .vt-w
.';i f>.';; , b.iti 'li/ ) W<'^ j' ■ '., / i-^;' : 'o")-] ,i:nr. f)iO ' ■.:;(: !«i!i. iM(-! )^;>^'"i^ '.•■>:/■ ,;<"^'i' .. .: ;...^ :..j::v! -.'firi 'roJ
-:<■ ■'I'.KJil ov/; ^- : ' ji: .: :'-■ . :^;;<f ■■'• r' :> !. '-^I'fr!.- ■ 3vcJa
.ai'/r/iiOoi/: houh
alii i^i;I "w.; v.,pi3 ■ j!' "'f
242 THE FAMILY OF MAGEXNIS. ~''
he emigrated to Calcutta, Ohio, where he died many years ago at an advanced age. He had the following children:
:. George, b. September gth, 1799, in Westmoreland County. He married Marj' Shrum February 10, 1825. She was bom Maj- 3, 1797, and died Octo- ber 2, 1SS4. Her husband died October 17, 1875, and was buried at Ligonier. They had issue: r. Ellen ^[elinda, b. April 6, 1S36; deceased. 2. Hes- ■'• '•'"' ter Ann, b. January' 20, 1845; ™- Henrv- Sheats November 20, 1869. Lives at Unityville, West- ■-,••'' .. moreland County. They have three children liv- !' •. ing.
ii. John, b. , 1801; d. young.
ill. William, b. , 1803. He settled at Scotland,
Greene County. Indiana, but nothing has been ' "••■" learned regarding the time of his death, or what
familv he left.
PRIESTS IN IRELAND AND AMERICA.
It has been shown that the ^fagennis family early in its history, became divided on the subject of religion, one part adhering to the Roman Catholic faith, the other becoming Protestant. In the preceding pages reference has been made to a number of Presbyterian and Metho- dist Episcopal Clergymen. The names of the following Roman Catholic Priests, both in Ireland and America, are given:
IN IRELAND.
Rev. J. McGinnis, P. P., Emyvale, Donagh (Clogher). Rev. John McGuinness, Blackrock, Dublin. Rev. D. Magennis, (Connor,) Antrim. Rev. Felix Magennis, (Dromore,) Newry.
M" .-•::■./ ;.' '••/ v. in,'/ ■; -uir
t:^^
.H
fitiiuiin'j
''!;.'r._.;
.iwm :■':■
- -J ■ J. ::;;.!
! 'Jo J'j:
.;',ua 'O'.llU^Zit^ir, •;?(■• ;;,!
.•]".',i/i Sir
,r.;.: .3!.;/. ' iii n'Jo
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 243
Rev. Patrick Magennis, Venerable Archdeacon, Kil- more, Cross Doney P. O.
Rev. A. Magennis, (Dromore,) Newry.
Most Rev. Edward McGennis, Ciilleshouse, Cavan, Kilmore.
IN AMERICA.
Rev. Thomas Magennis, St. Thomas Church, Jamai- ca Plain, Mass. His father was a Magennis from Cavan, and his mother a McGuinnis from Down. They came to this country about 1S30 and located in Boston.
Rev. John J. I\IcGuinness, St. Paul's Church, Syra- cuse, N. Y.
Rev. Bernard J. McGennis, Nativity Church, Alle- gheny and Belgrade Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev. P. M. McGinnis, Charlotte P. O., Iowa.
Rev. P. McGinnis, Church St. Gabriel, Montreal, Can- ada.
Rev. D. Mclnnes, Grand River, Codroyvalley, New Foundland.
Rev. Roderick Mclnnes, Red Island, Nova Scotia.
There may be others that the compiler has over- looked.
SERVED IN THE WAR OF 181 2-14.
A careful examination of \"ol. XI\'. , Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, shows that the following Mc- Ginnises served in the war of iS 12-14 from this State:
John McGinnis served in Captain John Donaldson's Company, Colonel Snyder, First Regiment of Militia, Second Brigade, from September 25, to November 24, 1814. He was from Union County.
John McGinnis is recorded as a private in Captain William Harper's Company, Fifteenth Militia, Lieuten- ant Colonel Joel Ferrel.
TIS
vao'ir'jH a;". A /:-s.'):>i'.) r'T\
Ci ,q v
/;;: ri. > '.^r- ■■■■■■ ^'lirr.y ,>
.-.?£' Mil ;iyi
,£}»£
.. . V
;, ,■/:,!..;■ ;... ,-:;>.
I:
y.u ■■^.i\>[ ;■''■:, ••vi . :.[{-' Jiii; -T'.iiJfj -jcl 7-'.ni 'OSriT
.lv)>loo{
■.in'::! r;
' r I '"^'l fTj''/ol^ o* '^
-.ft ,i>hftL{r:i{ [■>
244 TIIE FAMILY OF MAGENXIS.
William McGinnis served as a member of Captain Frederick Hoff's Company, Fifth Battalion, Second Detachment, General Richard Crook, as a Sergeant, for fifteen days. Service commenced October 2, 18 12.
John McGinnis appears on the roll of Captain Jacob Snyder's Company, Second Regiment, Second Brigade, under Lieutenant Colonel Lutz, at York, from Lancaster County.
Joseph McGinnis, of Chester County, was a member of Captain William SteePs Company, Fifth Battalion, First Brigade, commanded by i\Iajor William McFarland. They were at York, Pa., September 5th, 1814, and were in service until March 5, 1S15.
William i^IcGinnis was a private in Captain C. Wig- ton's Company, iSth Section of Riflemen, Colonel Thom- as Humphrey, at Camp Dupont, November 13, 1814.
In the records of the Mexican war and the war of the rebellion, a large number bearing the name are found. From Pennsylvania especially the record is large for the last war.
THE END.
With the foregoing familv and individual sketches, this volume is now brought to a close. The method of spelling the name by each family has been carefully ad- hered to. The author has given freely of his time for six months, traveled hundreds of miles and written scores . of letters, without hope of pecuniary reward. When the small edition of one hundred and eighty copies is exhausted, that will be the end of the work. He -will 7iot produce it again. At the time of closing, over one hundred copies have been subscribed for, so that few books will be left for late applicants. Many errors will
.-.ly-r-r .:■/ ,: ■,o 7..f*/. '•! ■'■ lit.
/ ifl/fO.'j
. :-^M ,, ' ' ' ; .o:.' - ;.-: ,,..■: ,>;• .' .. ' v c v-jrfT
..:;:'' ' :■■■ ■■■:: : yj'''. n\
.I'M J -- riOj
.' ; /■ i . ' J ; ;.
r.i .tn^r ■ ■ ■ ' i.;i;.rr>.. t:rIT ^ /:v*v2 ni.. . ;;■?{ ..-;; vv-nJ .<iiJ.
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 245
doubtless be found by interested parties, as, with the large correspondence involved and the numerous figures that had to be transcribed and arranged, it would be ex- traordinary indeed if perfection is found to have been maintained throughout. But, whenever an error is dis- covered, let a correction be made at once on the margin. This is the first attempt to collect and publish an\- of the records of this widely scattered family, excepting what have been gathered by ]\Iiss F'ord, of Allegheny, re- lating to her branch. Let this crude attempt, therefore, serve as an incentive for others of the name to do like- wise. This is not a full record by any means. There are many who have not been heard from. If they will collect their records, "now that the ice is broken," the future compiler will be able to arrange the y}^// gene- alogy of the Magennis Family. Attend to it at once.
The busy \v<jrld shoves angrily aside
The man who stands with arms alcimbo set,
Until occasion tell him what to do;
And he who waits to have his task marked (Jiit.
Shall die and leave his errand unfulfilled.
—Lowell.
49. V; 17
.7!
10 'Mi;. 1^!'! '_. 'j ''': ■ >'.:■:■■ ■ ' -. !^: '.>. -■ - ■ ' '^ ^Mfi i
.-n//.'I r
I rf ■. ■-■.' ?.vr;
General Index.
|
Pa-ie. |
|||
|
Allen, Rev. David, ...... 209 |
|||
|
Aodh, meanin<r of, |
4 |
||
|
Armorial Beariiigji, |
24 |
||
|
Ann, Bryan, |
82,83 |
||
|
Annals, "lri.«h. |
4 |
||
|
Arp, Faniilv of, |
110 |
||
|
Arp, W. C.,' |
IIB |
||
|
Benjamin, Sketch of. |
83-88 |
||
|
Benjamin, Jr., JSketcl; of. |
143—145 |
||
|
Beyer Family, |
172 |
||
|
Brian, ... |
21 |
||
|
Bready, Joseph, Sketch of, |
175 |
||
|
Bryan, Closes, |
82 |
||
|
("arhart, Susan. |
172 |
||
|
Clan Rory, .... |
14 |
||
|
Catharine, .... |
15G |
||
|
Day, John R., lost at Johnstown, |
149 |
||
|
Day, Grace, lost at Johnstown, |
149 |
||
|
Daniel, Dalbv, |
201 |
||
|
David, " . . . . |
220 |
||
|
Dawson, (treenbiiry. |
218 222 |
||
|
Draper, Lyman C," cited. |
'"33 |
||
|
Dunne, Jiid^ne, 10 ; Remarks of. |
33 |
||
|
Down, County, |
14 |
||
|
Edmund, Rev., |
210 |
||
|
Emiorration to America, |
35 |
||
|
Enoch W., 193 ; Service of plate, |
200 |
||
|
Fordham, Ann, |
49, 50 |
||
|
Four Masters, Annals of. |
17 |
||
|
Gerald, Earl of Kildare, |
21 |
||
|
George S., family of. |
88—91 |
||
|
Gen. Geo. F., Indianapolis, |
226 |
||
|
Grandfather, Great, |
46 |
||
|
Heremon, . . . ■, . , |
2 |
||
|
Holton, family of, . ; ^tiU-i^, ^ |
57, 58, 59 |
||
|
Hugh, . " . . . . |
21, 22, 241 |
l< ■ ■•', i
>
,;.,,;.'■! V ;•
■A .^■->.i3 .
."^O
iyf- Mir
,dlxrfq to
arJ.
■f-e'.
."■"■
11.
GENERAL INDEX.
Hirst, "William. Iowa, Hume, Von Lebnitz,
Illinois branch, . Isaiic, Dr. "William, Iveagh, Lords of,
James, sudden death of,
James H., West VifLrinia,
James S., of Harrisburp.
James', of 3Ionttromery County, Pa.
James, Perry County. Pa., branch,
James, Grandfather, sketch ot\
Johnson, Sir William,
John, Lost at Sea,
Johnston.
John, Will of, .
John F., History of,
Joseph B.,
Johnston Family,
Johnston, William. Indiana,
Johnston, Samuel, Indiana.
John S., of Larksville,
Judge, Ira J.,
John, Jr., of New York,
Kentucky Branch, Key lor, John, Keylor, ;Milton, . Kevlor, Rev. J. E., Keylor, Dr. J. B., Keylor. Dr. Howard R., King Family,
Laub, George, family of, Lemuel E., St eel ton, Pa., Lord Lieutenants,
Mac, meaning of,
MacGinnesses, seat of, .
Marchbank Family,
Marchbank, Samuel,
Martin, Hon., Montana,
Martha Swift,
Mary Jane, Utah, family of,
Margaret,
Magennis Family, origin of,
Meginne.ss, John F.,
Marriage Records,
^lilesius, King of Spain.
Miller, Hannah,
Morris, Family of,
Name, root of, 10 ; Irish way of writing.
61
91—115 ; family of, HO-
TS
49;
Hii
1S2— Will of.
tory of,
fomi
PaL'o. I(i2 219
220
217
28, 29
240 208 'ZU 191 191
51 3
46 1:57
67 115 142 lt>4 168 170 230 206 236
215 y of, 74, 75 76 76 78 80
105
120
30
11. 12
14. 15
166
179
235
148
119
69
2, 10
30-48
40
1
55
145
<Mi
.y >;■;;'■; .if z :■*>■: a^:
.! '!'(.. '1''
L r .:'■■■ il II !.l
If r
. ;!r');1 ; t,
•■i:W.:,'J
■,:.'{ •/•/,'■. i)i»«*^
>i ;.-
.; .A
tii-
,-\>.> r
•iixiJiiw lo v«w ilajil
GENERAL INDEX.
111.
Names, Family, variety of spelling,
O'Hart, Letter of. O', meaning of,
Perry County Branch, Priests, list of, Philliinore, W. P. W., . Polly, West Va., Sketch of. Pottsville Branch,
Pviink, Joseph S., Ran-k, D. W., Red Hand,
Revolution, served in, . Reynolds, Mary, Rory, descent "from,
Samuel, 4*'), o'i ; History and family of
Samuel Kennedy, South Dakota,
Samuel, of San Jose,
Sarah, . ; . .
Served in France,
Shields. Dr. John, KiO ; History of,
Sigfried, Gen., Letter of,
Swisher, Henry, 70 ; Family of,
Ultonians, Ulster, Ireland, Ulster, Red Hand of, Ulidia,
Variation in spelling names, Virginia Branch,
William Harvev, Cal., Wilder, Marshall P., Remarks, William, tU, (;.'>, 1.34; Family of, William Wiltshire, AVilliam, Dr. Isaac, Kentucky, William, Illinois, William, New Mexico, .
Pau'e. 17
36 U
182 242 5 212 193
156
loS
24, 25, 2r,
42
55
14
125
240
125
73
31
161
202
71
14
2, 14
24
14
32
205
131 4 131 147 217 224 237
(^ '-'If
^^ X ^
:!h;'::-iT5
V i ■■■fj. / , ''.'Ciji'l ,■■ •^lilS^'/^
M ,■■'; -, ii
.;. ..!■ i:
•i'; I .<
.1 .
,r..«i:,.
1 445
•W',
■ ■
^'**N?!