James McBane
James McBane, a representative citizen of Irondale, O., which has been his place of residence for forty-one years, was born in Brush Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, December 15, 1838, and is a son of Angus and Elizabeth (McKenzie) McBane.
Angus McBane was born in Scotland, January 13, 1800, and died at his home in Brush Creek Township, Jefferson County, January 18, 1883. He was the only son and eldest child of a family of seven who accompanied their parents to America in 1817. After living at East Liverpool, O., for a few years, the McBanes settled in Brush Creek Township. In 1834 Angus McBane was married to Elizabeth McKenzie and she too died on the Brush Creek Township farm, a large part of which her husband had secured by patent from the government. They were members of what was known as the old Brick Church, of the Presbyterian faith, and their burial was in the Chestnut Grove cemetery. The following children were born to them: Jeanette, who died when approaching womanhood; Elizabeth, who married James Smith, and resides in Brush Creek Township; Isabella, deceased, who was the wife of George L. Moore; Marjorie, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Adams; Margaret, who died when aged two years; Daniel, deceased, who was a farmer in Brush Creek Township; and James, of Irondale.
James McBane obtained his education in the district schools and remained at home engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was thirty years of age. In 1869 he moved to Irondale where he engaged at first in a teaming business and later in the manufacture of brick, and after selling out his brick business he invested in coal lands, on which he opened up a mine and for the past quarter of a century has been in the coal business and he deals also to some extent in real estate. He resides in the same house which he purchased shortly after coming to Irondale. He has always been affiliated with the Republican party but is a man of decided views of his own and in politics, as in other things, regulates his actions according to the dictates of his own judgment.
In 1867 Mr. McBane was married to Miss Eleanor J. Smith, a daughter of Daniel Smith, of Washington Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and they have three daughters and one son, namely: Elizabeth Ellen, who lives at home; Eva, who married Warren Shaft, resides in Colorado, and they have two children; Jennie, who resides at home; and Frederick, who is in the mercantile business at Irondale. Frederick McBane married Edith Thomas and they have one child. Mr. and Mrs. McBane are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is one of the elders. The family is one of the most highly respected in the place, quiet, substantial people, good neighbors and ready helpers in benevolent movements.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910