James A. McIlvaine, p. 629

 
JAMES A. McILVAINE, one of the enterprising and prominent citizens of Mt. Pleasant township, is a native of the same, born December 22, 1840, on the home farm. His grandfather, Greer McIlvaine, was of Irish descent, and a native of Lancaster county, Penn., where he was married to Elizabeth Morrow, who was born in the same county. The young couple came to Washington county in an early day, accompanied by a brother, George McIlvaine. On May 20, 1788, Greer secured 407 acres of land in Somerset township, which was surveyed to him February 11, `789, and afterward divided with his brother. Greer and Elizabeth McIlvaine were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Their children were Greer, John, Guyan, George, William, Andrew, Margaret, Mary, Ruth, Catherine, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Esther, Ann and Eleanor.

 Guyan McIlvaine was born in 1892, in Somerset township, on the home farm, where his early years were passed. He was united in marriage with Jane Ferguson, a native of Somerset township, who bore him four children: Lydia (widow of John Phillips), living in Green County, Penn.,; William Greer (deceased in 1882, at Memphis, Tenn.) was married in Vicksburg; Robert F., residing in Rochester, Beaver Co., Penn., and John M., Living in Mt. Pleasant township. Mrs. McIlvaine died in 1823, and in 1830 Guyan McIlvaine was married to Jane Bratton, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., and they settled in Mt. Pleasant township. Mrs McIlvaine was married on the home farm. The following children were born to their union: Harvey (residing in Kansas), Anna Eliza (married to William M. Campbell, of Cross Creek township), Joseph Lawrence (an editor, of New Philadelphia, Ohio), Boyd (a resident of Illinois), Belle Jane (of Mt. Pleasant township). This family is a remarkable one. The twelve children all grew to maturity; all married and have families of their own, except two, and all are yet living but the oldest son, who died in 1882. Mr McIlvaine was first a Whig, then a Know-nothing, and afterward a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Prospect. He died in 1868, having been preceded by his wife in 1860.

 James A. McIlvaine, a son of Guyan and Jane (Bratton) McIlvaine, was born on his father's farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and attended the schools of the neighborhood. On November 19, 1868, he was united in marriage with Martha A. McBurney, daughter of John and Jane (Keys) McBurney, natives and lifelong residents of Washington county. After his marriage James A. McIlvaine settled on the farm of 140 acres, where he was born and has always lived, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. Six children have been born to this couple, viz.: Eulalie (teaching in Hickory, this county), J. C., Mamie (teaching in Hopewell township, Washington county), Nettie, Willie A. And Bessie. Mr and Mrs. McIlvaine are members of Mt. Pleasant United Presbyterian Church, at Hickory. He is actively interested in education, being a member of the school board of Mt. Pleasant township. He takes quite an interest in politics, voting with the Republican party. 

 
Text taken from page 629 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). 

Transcribed April 1997 by Bridgette Osz of Steubenville, OH as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/. 

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