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John was a busy man with several careers, many of which occurred concurrently. Residences & events: 5/20/1813 Franklin Co, OH. He joined the Army as 3rd Lt of the 26th US Inf and advertised in the Freeman's Chronicle at Columbus for deserters. 8/15/1814 He was in the Battle of Ft Erie and "brevetted for conspicious bravery." 1818 He was made Col in the Ohio militia, serving until 1820. He was a 2nd Lt when he resigned from the Regular Army and a brevet colonel. 1818 Following his discharge from the army he was elected Ohio state librarian for the next 2 years. He was County Sheriff in 1819, 1821, 1827. 5/1822 He was made adjutant general of Ohio under Gov Tribble. 8/22/1822 He was among the promoters of a "grand squirrel hunt" to rid the county of the large number threatening the crops. 1829 Piqua, OH. John was appointed US Indian agent. Columbus, OH where he was the first proprietor of a tavern in that town. 1830 He was named to one of the positions of clerk of the US Court and maintained that position until 1858. 1831-2 He "erected a steam saw mill at the head of the canal where Hunter's warehouse afterward stood." 1832 He helped lay out lots in a 2 acre tract near the Canal which became known as McElvain's Additions. One of the first lots sold was to Bishop Charles Petit McIlvaine, former chaplain to West Point. 1834 In the directory of professional and business men of Columbus, he was listed as Indian agent. 1840-1841 He was director of the Ohio penitentiary. He had command of the Infantry as one of two marshalls to lead the parade at the formal opening of the new canal. Among those in the parade were Capt Joseph McElvain's troop of dragoons, Capt O'Hara's Columbus Artillery , and Gov Warren and staff. Columbus history recorded the following about him: "Colonel John McElvain prominent in the early history of Columbus, performed a very gallant part in the defense of Fort Erie against an attack by the British on August 15, 1814. He was twice a presidential elector on the Jackson ticket..." |