George A. McKay
George A. McKay is holding the position of citv engineer of Xenia and of county survevor of Greene county and in both offices is displaying his capability and fidelity to the trusts reposed in him. He was born in this county on Christmas day, of 1850, and is the son of Samuel F, and Angeline A. McKay. The father was a native of Ohio, and after arriving at years of maturity was married in 1850 to Miss Angeline Moore, who was born in Virginia and came to Ohio when only seven years old. Her father, Presley Moore, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state and at length lost his life by accident, a tree falling upon him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKav were born five children: George A., Maria L., Oscar F., Sarah J. and Irving F. Samuel F. McKay died in 1895 and his wife, who survived him some years, died in the spring of 1900. He was a member of the Baptist church and the mother of the Reformed church. He was, until his death, a resident of Caesarscreek township.
George A. McKay, of this review, was reared upon his father's farm. but could not content himself with the work of the fields, desiring broader opportunities. He acquired his education in the common schools and in Antioch College of Yellow Springs. He became master of the various branches of mathematics and his qualification in this regard has made him a capable surveyor. He commenced engineer work when only sixteen years of age and for a long period served as civil engineer in connection with the Miami Valley & Columbus Railroad, the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad, and later with the Chicago & West Michigan, now the Pere Marquette Railroad, with which he had been connected for four years prior to his election to the office of county survevor in 1892. He assumed the duties of that position on the 1st of January, 1893, and In- re-elections has since been continued therein. He was also appointed city engineer soon afterward and has since been the incumbent in that position.
On the 25th of September, 1873, Mr. McKay was united in marriage to Miss Ida I. Peterson, a daughter of Jacob S. and Sarah C. Peterson, of Ohio. Four children have graced this union: Werter P., Mabel L., Nellie G. and Edna. Mr. McKay is a member of Xenia Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of Xenia Chapter, R. A. M., while he and his wife hold membership relations with the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. He is well known as a publicspirited and progressive citizen, whose advancement in life is the outcome of his own efforts. He has won a creditable reputation as a public offlcia!, who is prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and in social life he has gained the regard of all with whom he has come in contact by reason of his fidelity to manly principles, his genial disposition and his deference for the opinions of others.
From History of Greene County, Ohio, by George F. Robinson (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1902)