The Augusta Cemetery Family Trees

Note: This biography was written about James McGhee, Grandson of Margaret Hazelett 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 article was written about George Shack, Grandson of Margaret Hazelett McGhee

GEORGE W. SHACK
LILLY WHITE
ROLLER FLOUR
VINTON, OHIO

This is printed on a flour sack we have kept in our family for over one hundred years. The sack is made of heavy paper, it is red, white and blue and has a picture of the Vinton Woolen Mills and the Roller Flour Mills owned by my great-greatgrandfather George Shack. The sack has been handed down from his daughter Virginina Shack Matthews to my grandmother Vennie Matthews Butler, to my parents John William and Leola Butler of Wellston, Ohio.

George W. Shack was the son of John D. and Mary A. (McGhee) Shack. John D. was born in Pennsylvania about 1810 and emigrated to Columbiana county, Ohio in 1831. Shortly after moving to Gallia County he started to Louisville, Ky. and was neverheard of again. He left his wife with two children George W. and Margaret. George Shack's mother Mary A. (McGhee) Shack was one of ten children born to James A. and Margaret McGhee, who were natives of Ireland. James McGhee was born July 4,1783 and emigrated to the United States when a boy and settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio. James and Mary had the following children: Mary A., Margaret, Emeline, Catherine, Almira, Eliza, Jackson, James, Alexander and John. They moved to Vinton in1832 to engage in the milling business. George Shack was but six weeks old when his parents moved to Vinton along with his grandparents, and at the time of his death had resided in Vinton longer than any other resident.

Mr. Shack's occupation as a miller was inherited from his maternal ancestry. His grandfather James McGhee had worked in various mills in Pennsylvania, and in 1832 purchased the Vinton mill from John Adney for $3,000.00. In 1857 Mr. McGhee soldthe mill to his grandson George Shack and his partner A. B. Hamilton. The elaborate mill not only ground grain but also carded wool and sawed timber. Despite a disastrous fire, the mills were rebuilt and as late as 1874 the firm George W. Shackand Asher B. Hamilton were manufacturing woolen yarn. In 1887 Mr. Hamilton sold his interest to Mr. Shack who continued to operate the mill until his death in 1908. There have been many other men who owned the mill for short periods of time,among them my Grandfather Harold Coulter. The history of the mill is an interesting one. Finally the mill burned to the ground in the autumn of 1976.

Submitted by Ann Turner

Note: This biography was written about Francis M. Edmiston, Grandson of Margaret Hazelett McGhee.

FRANCIS M. EDMISTON - was born in Huntington township, May 29, 1837. He is a son of William and Margaret (McGhee) Edmiston. His father was born in 1808, and came to this county in 1810. His mother was born in 1818. Mr. Edmiston was marriedJune 3, 1869, to Catherine Cherington, who was born in Gallia county, Ohio, January 17, 1845. She is a daughter of John M. and Lydia (Waddell) Cherington. Her father and mother were both born in 1821, and still reside in this county. Thechildren of Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston are: William Eddie, born April 25, 1870; Virginia Margaret, August 23, 1872; Elbert E., February 9, 1874; Mira M., August 24, 1875; Lydia Ellen, May 12, 1879. Mr. Edmiston served as trustee from 1872 for nineyears. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting, August, 1862, in the Independent Company of Trumbull Guards, and was discharged July 2, 1865. He is a resident of the township of Huntington, where he is engaged in farming. His postofficeaddress is Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio.

Note: This biography was written about Leonard Q. Skelton, Great-Grandson of Margaret Hazelett 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.