Van Gundy Family Tree


John Henry COONROD [Parents] was born on 8 Jun 1841 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 26 Mar 1915 in Craig, Burt Co, NE. He was buried in Craig Cem, Craig, Burt Co, NE. He married Louisa Hall on 23 Dec 1879 in Morgan Co, IL.

Residences & events:

1850 Scott Co, IL. Recently orphaned, he was living with cousins, John and Mary Ann Smallwood while siblings, Henry and Sarah were with Uncle David Van Gundy. His "adopted" father was a teacher so he received a good education.

1862 He enlisted in Co G 18th IL Vol Inf to help in the Civil War effort.

9/20/1863 At the Battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner, interred at Libby, and released 3 months later from Andersonville. He was captured a second time and spent 13 months between Danville and Florence prisons, during which time he went 3 days and 3 nights without food. He was wounded at the Battle of Stone River. He arrived home on New Years Eve 1864, took sick and was confined to his bed for the next 8 weeks.

3/12/1865 He received his discharge from the army, having served 3 yrs, 7 mo.

1870 Orvil Twp, Logan Co, IL. The census taker again found him living with the Smallwoods and working on the farm.

1880 Baynton, Tazwell Co, IL was where he was found at census time. He was a farm laborer but no children were recorded. Next door neighbors were his in-laws and the Smallwood boys, Theodore and Peter, lived nearby.

1885 Craig, Burt Co, NE. He probably moved west with Louisa's family.

Family stories were told that he raised the children alone following Louisa's death.

1900 He still had 2 children at home at census time.

1910 He was living along but daughter, Myrtle Jane, lived nearby.

Living w/John & Mary Smallwood in 1850 census.

His obituary said he had been in failing health for some time "but had been up and around each day and at a late hour Thursday evening was sitting up reading as was his custom. His death was discovered by neighbors who, noticing the light still burning at 10 o'clock Friday morning went in and found him lying on the couch fully dressed."

"The many friends here will sadly miss their old friend, Uncle John, as he wa familiarly called by old and young alike. His cheerfulness and optimism during a career of devotion and service, pain and sorrow, will be an inspiration to all who knew him, and his memory will be revered by all."

The family chose a family member to stand by his graveside every Memorial Day for years.

Louisa Hall was born on 5 Jul 1847 in Clinton Twp, DeWitt Co, IL. She died on 16 Apr 1892 in Craig, Burt Co, NE. She married John Henry COONROD on 23 Dec 1879 in Morgan Co, IL.

Descendants said she was a strong willed woman and always worked at something to make money, including selling baby chicks to farmers, even though she never lived on a farm herself, selling Watkins products, and even had a small photography business with a dark room in her house.

They had the following children:

  F i Myrtle Jane COONROD was born on 22 Dec 1880. She died on 5 Dec 1949.
  F ii Frances Marion "Fannie" COONROD was born on 20 Feb 1883. She died on 10 Jul 1947.
  M iii John Henry Jr COONROD was born on 22 May 1885.
  M iv Frederic COONROD was born on 8 Sep 1887 in Craig, Burt Co, NE. He died on 13 Sep 1888 in Craig, Burt Co, NE. He was buried in Craig Cem, Craig, Burt Co, NE.

Bartlome COONROD [Parents] was born about 1695. He married Anna Schwizer about 1715.

Bartlome and Anna had sons named Hans and Ulrich but whether they are the same as those listed here has not been proven. They are placed here only because they immigrated from the same place and landed in the same place.

Anna Schwizer was born about 1698. She married Bartlome COONROD about 1715.

They had the following children:

  M i Hans\Hance COONROD was born on 30 Oct 1718 in Attiswil, Bern Canton, Switzerland. He died before 16 Nov 1758 in Augusta Co, VA, near Black Thorn on South Branch of Potomac.

No marriage or children have ever been found for this man so it is assumed he never married.

His death may have occurred as a result of the 1758 Battle of Pleasant:

"A damaging inroad by the Indians was there fore scarcely possible. Augusta raised 400 men for the army under General Andrew Lewis, with which he fought and won the great battle of Point Pleasant. In one of the Augusta companies it is said every man was at least six feet in height."

Augusta Co, Court Records:

11/16/1758 "Woolrick Conrod's bond (with Daniel Smith, Jno. Dunkle) as administrator of Hance Conrod."

12/16/1758 " Wolrick Conrad qualified admr. of Hance Conrad, being brother and heir-at-law."
  M ii Ulrich\Woolrick Sr COONROD was born on 15 Jun 1721. He died in 1794.
  M iii George Coonrod.

George may not belong to this family but is placed here for safe keeping since he lived only 1 county away from Jacob and Woolrick.

Residences & events in his life:

1/17/1780 Greenbrier Co, WVA. His land, being adjoining to the 250 acres to be assigned to Moses Turpin, was used as a marker.

Residences & events in his life:

6/15/1782 Greenbrier Co, VA/W VA. George received 1000 acres on the Second Creek at the Gap

That same day "George Conrod, assignee of Jacob Rife, who was assignee of Samuel Wish, enteres 400 acres of land, by virtue of a certificate from the Commissioners, etc., in 2nd Creek Gap, to include the mill and improvement."

And again: "George Conrod, assignee of Jacob Rife, who was assignee of James Patterson, enters 200 acres of land by virtue of a certificate from Commissioners, etc., adjoining the mill place in 2nd Gap. (Marginal note reads 'Removed.' Another marginal note was placed in such a way that it might mean this entry, or one of the two preceding: 'This plat returned and not carried into effect. Returned 16th Feb 1808.'"

10/16/1782 Jacob Riffe brought suit against George (details not specified but probably involved above land deal) but according to Early Court Minutes, the case was dismissed.

1783 Greenbrier Co, Va, George was taxed 1 tithe for 5 negroes, 6 horses, & 14 cows.

Abt 1818 Greenfield, Green Co, IL.
  M iv John COONROD died on 19 Mar 1758 in S branch of the Potomac.

It is unknown how, or whether, John was related to Ulrich but considering the proximity of his death, is placed here to prevent losing him until his lineage can be determined.

He was killed by Indians.
  M v Jacob COONROD died before Mar 1776 in Augusta Co, VA.

His will, proved 3/19/1776 and witnessed by Woolery Coonrod, named three daughters, Barbara, wife of Charles Hedrick; Elizabeth, wife of George Fisher; and Mary Conrad, who had two children, Margaret Barlet and John Clifton.

Male COONROD.

It has not been determined whether the Coonrod/Conrad/Coonrad/Kunrath/Churet name is an old Swiss name or merely that of Germans living in Switzerland. As with most names the spelling was changed each time it was written, depending on how the writer heard it. Some documents have been found containing four different spellings within the same document.

As for our family, most public records have been found under either Coonrod or Conrad. For purposes of simplicity, only Coonrod will be used here.

He had the following children:

  M i Bartlome COONROD was born about 1695.
  M ii Jacob Coonrod was born in 1705. He died on 1 Dec 1775.

(John) MCILVAIN was born about 1660.

The last name was spelled Mucklewaine in early records, as well as several other variants, but always pronounced the same. It is one of the oldest family names in Scotland and one of the first ten Macs.

While this man may or may not have come to America with his son as our earliest immigrant ancestor, there are a few things known about earlier ancestors in Scotland:

"John Macilvaine, living in 1632, married Anna Corrie of the Corries of Kelwood, who inherited the estates of her family by the death of her brother. She died in February 1632, her will is in the registers office at Edinburgh.

John Macilvaine of Grimet, son of John MacIlvaine and Anna Corrie is believed to have married a Cunningham, niece of William, Earl of Glencairn. She is mentioned in the will of Quentin MacIlvaine in connection with his nephews, 'the young sons of John MacIlvaine of Grimet.' Quentin MacIlvaine made disposition of Thomaston in his possession, having been sold for the payment of fines and debts. John MacIlvaine died September 21, 1669. His son, John, succeeded to Grimet, but with him the property passed from the family as a result of their being Covenanters.

At this time religious persecutions forced the family to take refuge for a short time in the north of Ireland, making their home by the shores of Loughneagh in Ulster. Until 1692 their names are to be found on the records of Old Kerk as members of the sessions. Their
names appear on almost all of the documents signed by the gentry and known as the "Solemn League and Covenant." It was during the persecution of the covenanters in the war resulting in the death of King Charles the First, of England, that the property of the
MacIlvaines passed from their hands. One of the descendants of John MacIlvaine who shortly returned to Ayrshire was Joseph McIlvaine, born about 1700."

A McElvain descendant, Frank McElvain of Topeka, KS, in 1945 said he had documentary records of the family back to Nigel McYlveyne, Laird of Grimet, Scotland, about 1399. He visited the old estates and the Record House in Edinburgh in 1919 while serving in the Army of Occupation.

He had the following children:

  M i John MCILVAIN died on 5 Feb 1774.
  M ii Robert MCILVAIN was born in 1695/1700. He died on 15 Jan 1746.
  M iii George MCILVAIN died on 1 Jan 1747.
  F iv Margaret MCILVAIN.
  M v Robert MCILVAIN died on 10 Aug 1770.
  M vi Joseph MCILVAIN.

He was mentioned in PA history as settling in the Cumberland Valley in 1717 at Three-Square Hollow. However, another historian disputes the date as being too early compared to other historical facts of the area.

Col Joseph MCILVAIN [Parents] was born in 1794 in Harrison Co, KY. He died on 17 Feb 1859 in Worthington, OH. He was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He married Catherine DALZELL on 28 Nov 1825 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, by Dr James Hoge, Presbyterian Min.

Other marriages:
RUSSELL, Salome

Residences & events in his life;

Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. Like brother, Andrew, Joseph was prominent in the history of Columbus.

He was promoted to Col in Capt Vance's Co of Dragoons in the OH Militia and kept the title for life.

1838 He was a trusee of a "lunatic asylum."

His occupations included farmer, merchant (McElvain, Dalsell, & Co, 1834), hotel keeper, & public officer.

1841 He was elected county treasurer, reelected in 1843.

1851 & 1853 He was appointed keeper of the County Infirmary "discharging his duties of this office with kindness and urbanity."

He was assistant director of the Ohio penitentiary.

Joseph died suddenly at home but some relatives say he was killed in the Mexican American War.

Catherine DALZELL was born on 20 Mar 1803. She died on 28 Apr 1829 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She married Col Joseph MCILVAIN on 28 Nov 1825 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, by Dr James Hoge, Presbyterian Min.

They had the following children:

  M i Decatur MCILVAIN died in youth.

Col Joseph MCILVAIN [Parents] was born in 1794 in Harrison Co, KY. He died on 17 Feb 1859 in Worthington, OH. He was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He married Salome RUSSELL on 16 Sep 1834 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH.

Other marriages:
DALZELL, Catherine

Residences & events in his life;

Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. Like brother, Andrew, Joseph was prominent in the history of Columbus.

He was promoted to Col in Capt Vance's Co of Dragoons in the OH Militia and kept the title for life.

1838 He was a trusee of a "lunatic asylum."

His occupations included farmer, merchant (McElvain, Dalsell, & Co, 1834), hotel keeper, & public officer.

1841 He was elected county treasurer, reelected in 1843.

1851 & 1853 He was appointed keeper of the County Infirmary "discharging his duties of this office with kindness and urbanity."

He was assistant director of the Ohio penitentiary.

Joseph died suddenly at home but some relatives say he was killed in the Mexican American War.

Salome RUSSELL died in 1885 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She married Col Joseph MCILVAIN on 16 Sep 1834 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH.

They had the following children:

  F i Anne MCILVAIN was born in Upper Sandusky, OH.
  F ii Sarah F MCILVAIN was born on 4 Jul 1842. She died on 5 May 1919.

John MCILVAIN [Parents] was born in 1742 in PA. He died in 1813 in Harrison/Bourbon Co, KY. He married Elizabeth HODGE.

Residences & events:

Abt 1761 Botetourt Co, VA. John and his brother, Moses, took their share of their inheritance and joined colonists from PA and MD who were traveling to VA. Besides buying land in this county, he also bought some in Rowan Co, NC.

Bourbon Co, VA. He joined Moses there and later with brother, Samuel, bought a farm nearby.

Elizabeth HODGE was born in VA. She married John MCILVAIN.

Elizabeth was the niece of Moses & Margaret Hedge McElvain.

They had the following children:

  M i Samuel Hodge MCILVAIN was born on 8 Aug 1790.
  M ii James J MCILVAIN.
  M iii William MCILVAIN.

Andrew MCILVAIN [Parents] was born on 21 Apr 1791 in Bourbon Co, KY. He died on 9 May 1861 in Logan Co, IL, near Lincoln. He married Martha "Patsy" HUNTER on 16 Jun 1814 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, Presbyterian Church by Dr James Hoge.

Other marriages:
HUNTER, Jane R


Andrew was a pioneer in KY, OH, IN, and IL and was a very colorful character.

He was said to be tall, extremely dignified, with jet black hair which became snow white with age. He was a stately looking gentleman, always neatly dressed, never without a silk tie, always well brushed, "with ruffled shirt common to those who had seen city life." "There was an air of importance and superiority permeating every fibre of Andy's nature."

He acquired considerable wealth but also lost a great part of it to politics and speculation.

He and Jane had a total of 12 children.

Residences & events in his life:

1797 KY. Andrew accompanied his father and a surveying party to OH and he recorded the experience: "We were with the surveying party headed by Lucas Sullivant from Kentucky, and went up along the Scioto Rivver as far north as the Forks where the Whetstone joins - then called the Forks of the Scioto. The party returned to Chillicothe late in the fall. When we (the whole family) returned next spring we found a white family, Joseph Dixon's."

1805 Chillicothe, Ross Co, OH. At age 13 he became a mail carrier and described the job: "A weekly mail left Franklinton each Friday, stayed over night at Markly's Mill on Darby Creek, next day made Chillicothe and returned to Thompson's on Deer Creek, thence home on Sunday. There was no postoffice between Columbus and Chillicothe. I was the first mail carrier and did carry the first mail to Franklinton and was employed in that business about one year, during the winter and spring, having twice to swim the Darby and Deer Creeks carrying
the small mail bag on my shoulders. There was not a house but William Brown's between Franklinton and Darby and but a cabin at Westfall and Deer Creek to Chillicothe. I commenced carrying the mail at 13 years old. It was a rather lonesome route for a boy."

At 19 he was a trumpeter in Jacob Raub's company of "Rifles" in the War of 1812 and promoted until he reached Capt.

He and his brothers, along with the Sells brothers, were co-builders of a dam on the Scioto River, OH. He bought the Swan Tavern, was the postmaster, and built a flour mill.

Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He was described as a prominent resident of the county.

"The story goes that he was expecting a visit from his cousin, the late Bishop McIlvaine, and that he had to go to New York on business. While away he left his inscription for the sign painter and owing to the fact that he had a sort of legal scrawl and that his capital 'I's looked like 'E's, and that the 'e' at the end of the name was always strung out so far that it was not recognizable, the sign painter put in 'McElvain.' The paper states that the Colonel swore roundly and made such a commotion that the people along the street came out to see what was the matter, and finally a young fellow named Martin, a favorite nephew, came over and put the Colonel in a good humor. This start was seconded by a friend across the street who admired the sign very much and said that it was a credit to Columbus, so that owing to the fact that it could not be changed in time for the Bishop's visit it was allowed to remain so. The rest of the family, feeling great respect for the Colonel's ability, and recognizing the fact that the new style was easier, at once adopted it, except two or three of the family who still cling to the 'I', although nearly all of them have discarded the 'a' in the prefix."

1819 Near Clinton, IN. His wife, Martha, died enroute to Vincennes, IN, as the family was moving. He was so grieved that he returned to Columbus with their two sons while the rest of the family trudged on.

Columbus, OH. There he married Martha's cousin, Jane, and stayed awhile longer.

1832 Near Ft Hamilton, WI. Lured by lead and zinc mining, he and brother, James, went north. Andrew was one of the lucky ones to escape the Indian raid which resulted in James' death.

1832-1837 Franklin Co, OH. Back home on safer ground, he became the sheriff.

1842-1844 He served as director of the Ohio penitentiary.

1846 "Having suffered some severe pecuniary losses in trade, and having incurred some debts, thereby boldly started for California ...for the purpose of retrieving his fortunes and of paying his just debts." At age 50, he started the trip with sons, William, Swayne, and Purdy, along with other gold hunters. Only he and Purdy completed the trip, William died enroute and Swayne turned back to Kansas and also died. Andrew found enough gold to pay his debts and get another start in the west. Purdy stayed on in California when Andrew returned but he later joined the family in IL.

IN. Exact date is unknown.

1859 West Point Grove, near Postville/Lincoln, IL. His daughter, Matilda, said that when their wagons arrived, "Colonel McElvain drove up to the old tavern, only recently demolished and inquired the direction to the section on which laid the farm he had purchase. A tall, bony man gave him the directions-that man was Abraham Lincoln, a traveling lawyer from Springfield, Ill, and a member of the legistlature of Illinois, destined to be great friends and cronies with Col. McElvain, in spite of their political differences. Col. McElvain always argued that if the slaves were a political subject there would be war between the North and the Sounth but he did not live to see it. Mr. McElvain and Mr. Lincoln never got beyond the Mr. in their conversation, but with another grandfather, who also was a friend and fellow Whig with Lincoln, it was always 'Abe' and 'Jake.'"

1860 Logan Co, IL. At census time his property already = $4000/1000. Living with his family was a James Bell, 25, farmer with $200 in personal property.

One descendant has 9/8/1791 as his birth date.

Andrew died of accidental injuries.

The newspaper carried the story:

"DIED - On Thursday evening last, the 9th inst., Andrew McElvain
Esq., of West Point Grove in the county, of this county and recently
of this city, aged 69 years.
Obituary - The somewhat sudden and unexpected death of this
worthy citizen and good man spead a deep gloom on the whole community
and was felt as an irreparable loss by all who knew him. He had gone
out in apparently robust health on Thursday morning with his sons for
the purpose of yoking some oxen on this farm. During the process one
of the cattle which was a little unruly, made a pass at Colonel
McElvain, who was standing at his head and who, in order to save
himself sprang hastily backward. In the sudden effort he must have
ruptured a blood vessel internally as in a brief space he became
insensible and expired the same night about 12 o'clock."

And another:

"....he settled in this state and county on a farm he purchased
on Sugar Creek, which he managed with great success and which he
tended until quite recently, when he sold the farm and retired to his
property in this town, to spend the remainder of his days in the bosom
of this family. But it pleased God that this enjoyment should be of
brief duration and he was transferred to a more permanent home.
The present writer became acquainted with Mr. McElvain soon after
his arrival in this town and has since had frequent opportunities of
enjoying his society and becoming acquainted with the sterling
qualities of his character. He was in all respects a good citizen, a
high minded gentleman and an example eminently worthy of emulation in
all the relations of life; training up his children in the practice of
the best moral and religious principles and though not professing the
peculiar creed of any religious sect or denomination, he was a true
christian, in the highest and noblest acceptance of that term.
His remains were attended to their final resting place on
Saturday by a large and most respectful concourse of his fellow
citizens, without distinction of creed or party, who testified their
respect for the virtues of the deceased and their sympathy for the
bereaved family by those marks of genuine sorrow and feeling which is
more easy to feel than to describe.
Such is the end of a good man, and well may we all join in the
common prayer.
Oh let me die the death of the righteous and
Let my last words be like His,
For it is by their fruits alone, that ye shall know them!"

Martha "Patsy" HUNTER [Parents] was born in 1793/1795. She died in 1819 in Clinton, IN. She was buried in Pioneer graveyard on a high bluff overlooking the Wabash River. She married Andrew MCILVAIN on 16 Jun 1814 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, Presbyterian Church by Dr James Hoge.

She was a cousin to Andrew's 2nd wife, Jane Hunter.

Martha died while enroute with other family members to Vincennes, IN.

They had the following children:

  M i Joseph Vance MCILVAIN was born in 1815. He died on 11 Mar 1860.
  M ii Samuel MCILVAIN was born in 1817. He died on 14 Oct 1894.

Andrew MCILVAIN [Parents] was born on 21 Apr 1791 in Bourbon Co, KY. He died on 9 May 1861 in Logan Co, IL, near Lincoln. He married Jane R HUNTER on 22 Apr 1823 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, Presbyterian Church by Dr James Hoge.

Other marriages:
HUNTER, Martha "Patsy"


Andrew was a pioneer in KY, OH, IN, and IL and was a very colorful character.

He was said to be tall, extremely dignified, with jet black hair which became snow white with age. He was a stately looking gentleman, always neatly dressed, never without a silk tie, always well brushed, "with ruffled shirt common to those who had seen city life." "There was an air of importance and superiority permeating every fibre of Andy's nature."

He acquired considerable wealth but also lost a great part of it to politics and speculation.

He and Jane had a total of 12 children.

Residences & events in his life:

1797 KY. Andrew accompanied his father and a surveying party to OH and he recorded the experience: "We were with the surveying party headed by Lucas Sullivant from Kentucky, and went up along the Scioto Rivver as far north as the Forks where the Whetstone joins - then called the Forks of the Scioto. The party returned to Chillicothe late in the fall. When we (the whole family) returned next spring we found a white family, Joseph Dixon's."

1805 Chillicothe, Ross Co, OH. At age 13 he became a mail carrier and described the job: "A weekly mail left Franklinton each Friday, stayed over night at Markly's Mill on Darby Creek, next day made Chillicothe and returned to Thompson's on Deer Creek, thence home on Sunday. There was no postoffice between Columbus and Chillicothe. I was the first mail carrier and did carry the first mail to Franklinton and was employed in that business about one year, during the winter and spring, having twice to swim the Darby and Deer Creeks carrying
the small mail bag on my shoulders. There was not a house but William Brown's between Franklinton and Darby and but a cabin at Westfall and Deer Creek to Chillicothe. I commenced carrying the mail at 13 years old. It was a rather lonesome route for a boy."

At 19 he was a trumpeter in Jacob Raub's company of "Rifles" in the War of 1812 and promoted until he reached Capt.

He and his brothers, along with the Sells brothers, were co-builders of a dam on the Scioto River, OH. He bought the Swan Tavern, was the postmaster, and built a flour mill.

Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He was described as a prominent resident of the county.

"The story goes that he was expecting a visit from his cousin, the late Bishop McIlvaine, and that he had to go to New York on business. While away he left his inscription for the sign painter and owing to the fact that he had a sort of legal scrawl and that his capital 'I's looked like 'E's, and that the 'e' at the end of the name was always strung out so far that it was not recognizable, the sign painter put in 'McElvain.' The paper states that the Colonel swore roundly and made such a commotion that the people along the street came out to see what was the matter, and finally a young fellow named Martin, a favorite nephew, came over and put the Colonel in a good humor. This start was seconded by a friend across the street who admired the sign very much and said that it was a credit to Columbus, so that owing to the fact that it could not be changed in time for the Bishop's visit it was allowed to remain so. The rest of the family, feeling great respect for the Colonel's ability, and recognizing the fact that the new style was easier, at once adopted it, except two or three of the family who still cling to the 'I', although nearly all of them have discarded the 'a' in the prefix."

1819 Near Clinton, IN. His wife, Martha, died enroute to Vincennes, IN, as the family was moving. He was so grieved that he returned to Columbus with their two sons while the rest of the family trudged on.

Columbus, OH. There he married Martha's cousin, Jane, and stayed awhile longer.

1832 Near Ft Hamilton, WI. Lured by lead and zinc mining, he and brother, James, went north. Andrew was one of the lucky ones to escape the Indian raid which resulted in James' death.

1832-1837 Franklin Co, OH. Back home on safer ground, he became the sheriff.

1842-1844 He served as director of the Ohio penitentiary.

1846 "Having suffered some severe pecuniary losses in trade, and having incurred some debts, thereby boldly started for California ...for the purpose of retrieving his fortunes and of paying his just debts." At age 50, he started the trip with sons, William, Swayne, and Purdy, along with other gold hunters. Only he and Purdy completed the trip, William died enroute and Swayne turned back to Kansas and also died. Andrew found enough gold to pay his debts and get another start in the west. Purdy stayed on in California when Andrew returned but he later joined the family in IL.

IN. Exact date is unknown.

1859 West Point Grove, near Postville/Lincoln, IL. His daughter, Matilda, said that when their wagons arrived, "Colonel McElvain drove up to the old tavern, only recently demolished and inquired the direction to the section on which laid the farm he had purchase. A tall, bony man gave him the directions-that man was Abraham Lincoln, a traveling lawyer from Springfield, Ill, and a member of the legistlature of Illinois, destined to be great friends and cronies with Col. McElvain, in spite of their political differences. Col. McElvain always argued that if the slaves were a political subject there would be war between the North and the Sounth but he did not live to see it. Mr. McElvain and Mr. Lincoln never got beyond the Mr. in their conversation, but with another grandfather, who also was a friend and fellow Whig with Lincoln, it was always 'Abe' and 'Jake.'"

1860 Logan Co, IL. At census time his property already = $4000/1000. Living with his family was a James Bell, 25, farmer with $200 in personal property.

One descendant has 9/8/1791 as his birth date.

Andrew died of accidental injuries.

The newspaper carried the story:

"DIED - On Thursday evening last, the 9th inst., Andrew McElvain
Esq., of West Point Grove in the county, of this county and recently
of this city, aged 69 years.
Obituary - The somewhat sudden and unexpected death of this
worthy citizen and good man spead a deep gloom on the whole community
and was felt as an irreparable loss by all who knew him. He had gone
out in apparently robust health on Thursday morning with his sons for
the purpose of yoking some oxen on this farm. During the process one
of the cattle which was a little unruly, made a pass at Colonel
McElvain, who was standing at his head and who, in order to save
himself sprang hastily backward. In the sudden effort he must have
ruptured a blood vessel internally as in a brief space he became
insensible and expired the same night about 12 o'clock."

And another:

"....he settled in this state and county on a farm he purchased
on Sugar Creek, which he managed with great success and which he
tended until quite recently, when he sold the farm and retired to his
property in this town, to spend the remainder of his days in the bosom
of this family. But it pleased God that this enjoyment should be of
brief duration and he was transferred to a more permanent home.
The present writer became acquainted with Mr. McElvain soon after
his arrival in this town and has since had frequent opportunities of
enjoying his society and becoming acquainted with the sterling
qualities of his character. He was in all respects a good citizen, a
high minded gentleman and an example eminently worthy of emulation in
all the relations of life; training up his children in the practice of
the best moral and religious principles and though not professing the
peculiar creed of any religious sect or denomination, he was a true
christian, in the highest and noblest acceptance of that term.
His remains were attended to their final resting place on
Saturday by a large and most respectful concourse of his fellow
citizens, without distinction of creed or party, who testified their
respect for the virtues of the deceased and their sympathy for the
bereaved family by those marks of genuine sorrow and feeling which is
more easy to feel than to describe.
Such is the end of a good man, and well may we all join in the
common prayer.
Oh let me die the death of the righteous and
Let my last words be like His,
For it is by their fruits alone, that ye shall know them!"

Jane R HUNTER [Parents] was born in 1801 in Franklinton, Franklin Co, OH. She died on 17 Nov 1862 in Lincoln, Logan Co, IL. She married Andrew MCILVAIN on 22 Apr 1823 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, Presbyterian Church by Dr James Hoge.

Jane was a cousin to Andrew's 1st wife, Martha Hunter.

She was accredited with being the first white female child born in
Franklin Co, OH.

They had the following children:

  M i William Shaw MCILVAIN was born in 1826 in OH. He died in 1847 in Jefferson City, MO. He was buried in Moniteau (Jamestown), MO.

William died of cholera while enroute to California with his father
and brothers, Swayne and Purdy, along with other gold hunters.

The family statement concerning his death was that "in passing
Jefferson City, MO, they were detained on account of the death from
cholera of a man whose burial they were asked to complete. The widow
was so overcome and protested so vigorously that the coffin was not
marked that William McElvain entered the grave and performed that
office. He was also stricken with cholera and died there next day,
the family having erected a tombstone at his resting place."

History records;

"Bill McElvain was a promising young man, but a blighted love for one
who also felt the shock, made him reckless to do and dare, and before
the plains were over come, he surrendered to the pale horse and his
rider. 'His fate was more the result of piercing heart throbs than
the wreck of health and exposure.'"

He is buried in the private graveyard of Dr. White on the Missouri River.
  M ii John Havens MCILVAIN was born in 1828. He died in 1871.
  M iii Swayne Risley MCILVAIN was born in 1830 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He died in 1850 in Wyandotte (Kansas City), KS. He was buried in Indian Cem, Kansas City, MO.



He was named for Noah Swayne of Culpepper, VA, whose family came to
Chester Co, PA, from Berkshire, England, in 1710.

In 1846 he began the trip to California with his father, brothers,
William & Purdy, and other gold hunters, but never made it.

"Swayne, in bad health, had returned to Wyandotte to visit with a Miss
Brady, an Indian girl whom he had known in Ohio before the Wyandottes,
a civilized tribe, had moved westward. While there he died....When
Col. McElvain returned, an Indian stepped up to the boat which came
down the river from St. Joseph and inquired if Col. McElvain was in
the party, and instinct of the father told him before the Indian
announced it, that his favorite son was dead." It was said he was
engaged to the girl.

He was buried in the Bradley family plot.
  M iv Robert Purdy MCILVAIN was born in 1832 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He died in 1896 in CA.

Robert was the only son to complete the gold hunting trip to California with his father, remaining there when his father returned home. He later rejoined the family in Illinois but the call of the west was too strong to deny.

He never married.
  M v Charles Hunter MCILVAIN was born in 1835. He died on 3 Oct 1873.
  F vi Jane McGaughey MCILVAIN was born in 1838 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She died in 1909 in Wichita, Sedgewick Co, KS. She was buried in Douglas, KS.

Jane never married.

Residences:

West Point Grove, near Lincoln, IL, with her parents.

Lincoln, IL. She lived with her brothers and sisters after their
parents died.

Topeka, KS. She apparently went west with her siblings.

Douglas, KS. She and a sister lived there for many years.

Wichita, KS.

She was born in the Ohio State Penitentiary where her father was
warden.

She was buried with her sister's family.
  M vii Richard Montgomery MCILVAIN was born in 1839. He died in 1919.
  F viii Matilda McGaughey MCILVAIN was born in 1840. She died in 1913.
  M ix Andrew McGaughey MCILVAIN was born in 1847 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He died in 1918 in Wichita, Sedgewick Co, KS.

Residences:

Lincoln, IL, He moved from the family home upon maturity.

Topeka, KS

Butler Co, KS

OK

Wichita, KS

William MCILVAIN [Parents] was born on 26 Sep 1780 in Fermanagh Twp, Cumberland Co, PA. He died on 31 Aug 1843 in Upper Sandusky, OH. He was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He married Rebecca RIDDLE on 13 Aug 1810 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, by Dr James Hoge, Presbyterian Min.

He was in the war with Great Britain and the War of 1812.

Residences & other events in his life:

1806 He and his mother were co-adminstrators of his father's estate.

Abt 1806 Franklin Co, OH. He was one of the original officers of the
First Presbyterian Church.

1811 Clinton Twp, Franklin Co, OH, where William was Justice of
Peace.

1812 Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. He bought one of the first lots sold
in Columbus.

5/18/1813 He enlisted as Pvt in Capt Vance's Co of Dragoons

He held several public offices including County Commissioner (1815,
1827), Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (1829-1831,
1837-1843), was part of the town Council (1816-1834), and was
mentioned frequently in the county annals.

He and brother, Andrew, along with the Sells brothers, were
contractors on the dam on the Scioto River by which the canal to
Cincinnati was established. It took 4 years to build.

Rebecca RIDDLE was born in 1788. She died in 1834 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She was buried in Greenlawn Cem, Columbus, Franklin Co, OH. She married William MCILVAIN on 13 Aug 1810 in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH, by Dr James Hoge, Presbyterian Min.

They had the following children:

  F i Cynthia MCILVAIN was born in 1811 in Franklin Co, OH.
  F ii Elizabeth Purdy MCILVAIN was born in 1813 in Franklin Co, OH. She died in 1822.
  F iii Amanda MCILVAIN was born in 1817 in Franklin Co, OH.
  F iv Louis MCILVAIN was born in 1818.
  F v Caroline M MCILVAIN was born in 1820 in Franklin Co, OH. She died in 1828 in Franklin Co, OH.
  F vi Mary Elizabeth MCILVAIN was born on 26 Feb 1823 in Franklin Co, OH. She died on 18 Mar 1888.
  F vii Martha MCILVAIN was born in 1829 in Franklin Co, OH. She died in 1876.

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