John McGinley McCurdy

     John McGinley was born on Sunday, 11 August 1822 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. John inherited the family homestead four miles east of Bucyrus. He raised his family there. From him, the farm went to his son, Sidney and to his grandson, Russell. He was known to be a man of sterling integrity & respected by all. He & his family were members of the United Brethren Church attending Liberty Chapel. 3 September 1850, John was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were John McCurdy [27 Ohio], his mother: Elizabeth [68 Pennsylvania], and a domestic: Flora Snyder [12 German].¹ John married Amelia Cornell on 25 December 1850 in Liberty Township.² John's wife, Amelia, died on 10 June 1853 in Liberty Township leaving him a widower.³ 28 June 1860, John was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were John McCurdy [36 Ohio], his mother: Elizabeth [79 Pennsylvania], and a domestic: Martha Couer [18].⁴ John married 2nd Catherine Bowerman, daughter of Peter Bowerman and Nancy Anna Shaffstall, on 24 October 1865 in Liberty Township.⁵ 1 July 1870, John and his wife, Catherine, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were John McCurty ]47 Ohio], his wife: Catherine [33 Ohio], his mother: Elizabeth [88 Pennsylvania], children: Albert [3 Ohio], James [1 Ohio], step-son, William McIntyre [10 Ohio], and domestic: Nancy Jarman [58 Pennsylvania].⁶ 19 June 1880, John and his wife, Catherine, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were John McCurdy [57 Ohio][farmer], his wife: Catherine [42 Ohio], their children: Albert [13 Ohio], James [11 Ohio], Sidney [9 Ohio], along with David Souder [29 Pennsylvania] & Alice Reed [22 Ohio].⁷ 2 June 1900, John and his wife, Catherine, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were John McCurdy [77 Ohio - August 1822], his wife: Catherine [62 Ohio - January 1838],children: Sidney [29 Ohio - April 1871], servants: Dora Morrow [18 Ohio - January 1881] & John Nickles [16 Ohio - June 1883]. John & Catherine had been married 35 years with 4 children, 3 living. They had a mortgaged farm.⁸ John departed this life on Wednesday, 5 November 1902 in Liberty Township at age 80 years, 2 months and 25 days. He was buried there in Crall Cemetery (Liberty Chapel), in lot number 121.⁹