Hugh Boyle McKay
Hugh Boyle McKay, a well-known resident of Eden and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1840, and is a son of Alexander and Maria (Boyle) McKay.
The parents of Mr. McKay came to Delaware County, Ohio, from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and settled at Eden, in 1852. The father was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio, June 26, 1878. For 25 years he was the postmaster at Eden. In 1829 he was married to Maria Boyle, who was born at Alexandria, Virginia, April 3, 1803. She lived to the unusual age of 96 years, 45 of which had been spent in Eden. She was an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at this place, having brought her letter of admission from the church to which she belonged in her former home. Five sons and three daughters were born to Alexander McKay and wife, but two of which children now survive—Hugh Boyle and Mrs. Mary Dutton. The five sons served in the Civil War, two of them meeting a soldier's death, namely: John, who died from wounds received in battle at Bolivar, Tennessee, and Alexander, who was instantly killed at the battle of Grand Coteau, Louisiana. The others were: Samuel Parker and James P., both of whom died in Chicago; Keziah. who married Jacob Pettit, and died near Eden; and Elizabeth Calista, who died in infancy, in Pennsylvania.
Hugh Boyle McKay was 13 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Delaware County, and he continued to live in Brown Township until he first enlisted for service in the Civil War. He entered Company C, Twelfth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after completing his first term of three months, he re-enlisted in the same company, at Cairo, Illinois, on the same day that he was mustered out. He took part in many of the notable battles of the war, was at the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson and fought also at Pittsburg Landing. On the second day of the last mentioned battle, April 7, 1862, Mr. McKay was shot through the hand. Although his injury was a serious one, he continued in the service until the close of the war, becoming a member the Veteran Corps and acting as a provost marshal guard. He was honorably discharged, in 1865, at Gamp Chase, Columbus. He then went to the West, making the long trip across the plains, and shortly afterward began freighting from Leavenworth to New Mexico. For 14 years Mr. McKay led almost as dangerous and adventurous a life as during the war, after which he returned to Ohio and settled down at Eden, acquiring the home place.
After his return to Eden from the West. Mr. McKay married Mrs. Millie Coyner, on November 29, 1888. Mrs. McKay was a widow, and is a daughter of Ralph and Betsey Longwell, who came here as pioneers and took up Government land at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. McKay had one son, Lloyd, who died at the age of two years. By her former marriage, Mrs. McKay had four children—Harry, Maud, Edward and Archie. Mr. McKay is a stanch Republican in politics. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at Delaware and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Eden.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908