Thomas N. McElwain
The McElwain ancestors came from Ireland, and, presumably, Robert, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in this country. The date is, June 18, 1779. He married Jane Taylor, who was born at Redstone, Old Fort, Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1783. Her father removed to Kentucky, when she was eight years of age. They came down the Ohio on a flat boat, and landed at Marysville, settling in Mason County, when the country was thickly inhabited by Indians. The marriage occurred May 22, 1804, and resulted in eleven children: Jane, born March 16, 1805; John T., February 2, 1807; William, June 1,1809; Osee, August 3, 1811; Robert, November 24, 1813; Nancy, June 2, 1815; Samuel, October 7,1817; Thomas N., December 20, 1819; Eliza, December 3, 1821; Minerva, April 12, 1825; Jane married one Hendricks, in Kentucky, where she died, August 27, 1826; Minerva died September 1, 1827; Robert departed this life September 17, 1848. He, wife and three children, removed to this county in 1810; they came to this township and built a little cabin, on the place now owned by Jesse Eyeman, where they leased ground one year, then bought the farm now owned by our subject.
He served as captain during the war of 1812, contracting a disease from which he never recovered. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and was visited by pioneers far and near, who wished to get married, or had differences to settle. He also served as county commissioner. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died October 7, 1824. His wife departed this life December 22, 1876, aged ninety-one years and seven months. She was intelligent, possessed an excellent memory, always enjoyed good health, and was beloved by all who knew her.
Our subject was born on the old homestead, where he has lived most of his life. He formerly traded in cattle; never crossed the mountains but once. He usually purchased his cattle in the southern part of the state, fattened them on his farm, then sold them in the east. At present he devotes himself solely to tilling the soil. He was married in 1843, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John H. Mouser, of Ross county, who bore him six children: John H., Osee Jane, Ann Ehza, Samuel, Robert, and Lewis; Osee J. and Samuel are deceased. John married Martha J. Hendrickson, and after her death, Miss Hughes. Ann Eliza married John M. Kuhl, and resides in Illinois. He and brothers were out during the Morgan raid, and stationed below Marietta. He is a Democrat, but not an aspirant to office.
Mr. McElwain and his son John own three hundred and fifty acres of land, well improved, situated near Good Hope on the Washington pike, and Ohio Southern Railroad, and farm to grain and stock. He has bred some very fine horses, a few of which have been sold for fifteen thousand dollars. One of his horses was used in the ring by Barnum.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County