John Loughry, Sr.
John Loughry, Sr., was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvama. May 8, 1786. He was married to Margaret Black, of Ohio, January 3, 1809. In 1812, he was a Captain in the Volunteer Service, and was stationed at Buffalo, and then called to the frontier. He was there until Christmas and then went home. He went to Columbus, Ohio, in 1817. and was Mayor of the town in 1823. On locating in Columbus, he connected with the First Presbyterian Church and soon after was made one of its ruling elders. While in Columbus, he followed the business of contracting on public works, as such he never worked on Sunday or permitted the men in his employ to do so. His wife died in 1827, and in 1829 he was married to Miss Elizabeth K. Cunning. He remained in Columbus until 1831, when he went to Rockville to get stone to build the canal locks at Cincinnati to lead the canal into the river. That took three years. He then went into the business of building steamboats and built the "Columbia," the "Atlanta" and Olivers. He built a large saw and grist mill at Rockville and carried on a large business. He also went into the culture of peaches and pears. He had great success in the peach culture. He retired from business in 1855, turning it over to his son, John C. Loughry, except the fruit business, which he retained until his death. He took a great interest in the Presbyterian Church at Sandy Springs and had the church and parsonage rebuilt. He was an elder in Dr. Hayes' Church in Columbus while a resident there and also in the Sandy Springs Church. He was liberal in all things, kind and generous. He was the build of men which keeps the world going and preserves all that is good in it. He was an enter prising, loyal citizen, a good man, a pleasant neighbor and a devoted Christian.
He died August 6, 1862, leaving a son, John C. Loughry, who has a sketch herein, and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Awl, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. Dr. Marshall, of Blairsville. Pennsylvania.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900