The Augusta Cemetery Family Trees

Note: This biography was written about James McGhee, Son of Susan Walters McGhee.

JAMES McGHEE, a highly respected and influential farmer of East Township, Carroll County, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, near New Lisbon, December 15, 1825. His father, John McGHEE, was born near Johnstown, Penn., in 1807, and hisgrandfather, James McGHEE, was born in County of Tyrone, Ireland, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of miller. James, the grandfather, married, in Ireland, Margaret HAZELETT, a native of County Tyrone, and to them were born James,Alexander, Eliza, Mary A., Margaret, Elsie, John and Jackson. In an early day James McGHEE migrated to the United States and settled at Johnstown, Penn., where he erected a mill and resided for a few years; he then removed to Columbiana County,Ohio, near New Lisbon, where he erected a grist-mill and remained till 1835, when he removed to Gallia County, Ohio, and erected another grist-mill on Big Raccoon Creek, and also laid out the town of Vinton, Gallia County, where he remained tillhis death.

His son, John, grew to manhood in New Lisbon, Ohio, and received a common-school education. He married Susan WALTERS, who was born in Gettysburg, Penn., and to this union were born James, our subject; Margaret, deceased; Lydia A., wife of WilliamSTOCKMAN, of East Township; Joanna, deceased; David, who resides in Kensington, Ohio; Franklin, in Oneida, Ohio; Albert, in Kensington, Ohio; Mary SKELTON, in Augusta Township, Carroll County. Mr. McGHEE remained in New Lisbon till 1835, beingengaged in conducting a hotel and farm. In 1835 he came to East Township, Carroll County, where he and his wife ended their days. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, his wife being a member of theLutheran Church.

James McGHEE, our subject, was ten years old when his parents came to East Township, where he attended the district school and received a practical education. In 1852 he married Mary ORIN, who was born in 1835, a daughter of Thomas ORIN. To thisunion have been born John, deceased; Margaret STREETSMAN, of East Township; Aletha, at home; Elizabeth, deceased; Annie YEAGLEY, of Mahoning County, Ohio; Sarah, deceased; Eliza, who resides in Missouri; Charles, a resident of Minerva, Ohio;Mervin, deceased; Ada GRIMES, of Alliance, Ohio; James W. and Minnie J., at home. In 1861 Mr. McGHEE purchased the farm he now owns, which contains 160 acres, and on which he has made many improvements. Politically he is Democratic, and has servedas trustee of his township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Note: This biography was written about Leonard Q. Skelton, Grandson of Susan Walters McGhee.

L. Q. SKELTON, cashier of the Bank of Boulder and mayor of that city, was born on a farm near the village of Augusta, Carroll county, Ohio, on September 21, 1863, and was the third child in a family of nine sons and daughters of Jason and MarySkelton, poor but worthy and estimable people of that community, both of whom are now deceased.

L. Q., as he was always familiarly called, was educated in the village school, Damascus Academy, a Quaker institution, the University of Ohio at Athens, and the Northeastern Ohio Normal College, working at whatever he could find to do in vacationseasons to enable him to continue his studies as far as was practicable. He taught school after leaving college, studying law in the meantime, and married Flora Manfull, of Augusta, Ohio, after which he moved to Montana and located at Boulder in1890. There he took charge of the city schools, such as they were at the time, and organized the high school, building up the entire system to a splendid state of efficiency, and continued in charge until he resigned in 1895 to assume aresponsible position in the Bank of Boulder. Since that time Mr. Skelton has held every position in the bank except that of president, and he is now cashier of the institution, a position which he has held for many years. The Bank of Boulder isknown to be one of the soundest and most stable banking institutions in the state of Montana, and does a business of half a million dollars. It practically represents the life work of Mr. Skelton, of which he may be justly proud.

Mr. Skelton is a staunch Republican, and has always been prominent in the public affairs of his town and county, being mayor of Boulder at the present time. He affiliates with the Episcopal church, in which he is bringing up his only child -- adaughter, Miss Mary Isabelle -- and is a Free Mason. Aside from the latter, he has no other fraternal connections.

In his successful career, Mr. Skelton effectively illustrates the possibilities open to an energetic boy, be he ever so poor. He has demonstrated that such a boy may come to be a scholar of wide learning -- a pleasing speaker -- a large,many-sided public man of high character and ample means.