John L. McGough, p. 405

JOHN L. McGOUGH, one of the representative and prosperous young farmers of Hanover township, is a descendant of a well-known pioneer family. His grandfather, named Robert McGough, was born in Ireland, and when a young man came to America, first locating in Jefferson township, Washington Co., Penn. He there married Mary Provines, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who came to America with her parents in early girlhood. To this union were born children as follows: William, went to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died; John, of Columbiana county, Ohio; Mary Ann, widow of E. S. Campbell; Robert, of whom a sketch follows; Sarah (Mrs. Absalom McCullough) and Rebecca, widow of James Neil, Wellsville, Ohio, twins; Samuel of Wellsville, Ohio, and Andy (deceased). The only capital of Robert McGough was a good supply of energy and industry. Year after year saw his possessions increase, and at the time of his death he owned six farms, with which he gave all his children a good start in life. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion he and his wife were members of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown. They were buried in the Burgettstown U. P. cemetery.

Robert McGough, son of Robert and Mary (Provines) McGough, was born in 1831, in Jefferson township, and received a good education. He partially learned the surveyor's profession, but devoted most of his life to farming. In 1860 he was married to Mary M. Lee, daughter of John Lee, of Jefferson township, who bore him the following children: John L., William W. (a carpenter of Steubenville, Ohio), Mary (wife of William Anderson, of Jefferson township) and Samuel B. (deceased in youth). After his marriage Robert McGough lived for some time with his father in Jefferson township, and in 1861 came to Hanover township, locating on the farm where he died in October, 1880, and was buried in Burgettstown. He was an excellent judge of cattle, and devoted considerable attention to that department of agriculture. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party and held various offices in the township. After his death Mrs. McGough resided for seven years on the old home farm, then removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where she is living.

John L. McGough was born December25, 1860, in Jefferson township, having been but an infant when his parents removed to Hanover township. He was reared to manhood on the farm which is his present home, receiving a common-school education. On September 25,1884, he was married to Belle Stephenson, who was born May 14, 1860, a daughter of David and Rachel (Noah) Stephenson, of Jefferson township. To this union two children were born: Vance L. and Elsie D. Mr. and Mrs. McGough have always resided on the home place, following farming and stockraising. The spirit of progression, so characteristic a trait in the lives of father and grandfather, is equally marked in the acts of John L. McGough. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

Text taken from page 405 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed August 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project.
Published August 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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