John McCoy
John McCoy, a prominent citizen of Jefferson County, Ohio, who served four years as sheriff, is a general farmer in Cross Creek Township, of which he was township treasurer for three years. He was born in Cross Creek Township, October 3, 1836, and is a son of James and Jane (Day) McCoy.
James McCoy was also a farmer and a carpenter and was well known all through this section. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Robert McCoy. Two of his sons served in the Civil War, George B. and John. The former was a member of Co. A, 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the infamous prison at Andersonville, Ga. The latter, who is the oldest of the family, was in the same company and regiment as his brother and served with courage and faithfulness from 1862 until the close of the war. The other members of the family were: Sarah, who is the wife of Thomas Davis; Mary, who is the wife of Edwin Ross; Emma, who is the wife of E. B. White; Armstrong McCoy who lives in Cross Creek Township; Martha, who is the wife of James Dinsmore; and J. J., who is a physician engaged in practice at Steubenville. The parents of the above family have been deceased for many years.
After his school days were over, John McCoy learned the carpenter trade and worked at the same first in Illinois and then in Missouri, and was in the latter state when the Civil War broke out. In the section where he lived the people were in sympathy with the Confederates and on that account he left there and returned to Ohio and shortly afterward entered the Union army. Since the war, Mr. McCoy has given the larger part of his attention to farming. He has always been an active citizen and has frequently been chosen for public office by his fellow citizens. On January 1, 1894, he assumed the duties of sheriff and faithfully performed them during his term of four years. He is a member of Stanton Post No. 590, G. A. R.
In March, 1876, Mr. McCoy was married to Miss Mary Dinsmore, a daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Leonard) Dinsmore. The parents of Mrs. McCoy were farmers in Cross Creek Township and they had the following children: William, deceased; Walter; Alexander, deceased; Hiram; Emily, wife of Robert Copeland; Jemimah, deceased, wife of William Winters, also deceased; Elinor, deceased; Thomas; Joseph, deceased; Mary, wife of Mr. McCoy; and James. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have four children: Fannie, who married Frank Rogers, has two children, Lillian and Evaleen Rogers; Jennie R.. who married James Kirk, has one son, James; Jessie, who is the wife of Willis Porter, has one son, John; and Mary and James Stewart, both of whom are at home.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910