Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameMary Jane McClenahan 
Birth10 Jun 1810, Co Londonderry, N. Ireland
Census1830, Athens Twp, Harrison Co, OH
Memoroll#133, pg 143
Census1840, Beaver Twp, Guernsey Co, OH
Memoroll#397, pg 400
Census1850, Richland Twp, Vinton Co, OH
Memoroll#736, pg 22
Census1860, Allensville, Vinton Co, OH
Memoroll#1046, pg 222
Census1870, Richland Twp, Vinton Co, OH
Memoroll#1276, pg 138
Census1880, Hamden Jct, Vinton Co, OH
Memoroll#1074, pg 17
Death28 Feb 1897, Hamden Jct, Vinton Co, OH
Burial3 Mar 1897, Hamden Cem, Hamden, Vinton Co, OH
FatherRobert McClenahan (~1760-1837)
Misc. Notes
1880 census for Hamden Jct lists Mary Wilcox age 64 born in Ireland; daughter May J. (Tabitha?) age 41 born OH, keeping house; son Robert age 40 born OH, dry goods.
Death cert says she died of heart failure in Hamden Jct at age 87. It had the date as 28 Feb 1987, which I assume is a transposition rather than the wrong century, based on her age and birth in 1810. It confirms that she was born in Ireland. Her tombstone reads 1811-Feb 29, 1897 aged 86y 8m 19d, but 1897 was not a leap year, so I have followed the death certificate data. I had her estimated birth year as 1812, this data would put it at 1810, and her death cert would make it 1809.
[Obituary] Scrapbook of Grace Wilcox Craig, Collection of Nicholas J. and Lesley K. Cafarelli, Minneapolis, MN
Death of Mary J. Wilcox -
At about the noon hour on last Sunday, February 28th, 1897, after an illness of only a few days, Mrs. Mary J. Wilcox, mother of R. S. Wilcox, died very suddenly of heart failure, and at the advanced age of 87 years. The deceased had lived in this community for a long time, and her kind, Christian ways and noble impulses and love for her large circle of acquaintances had won for her the esteem and respect of all classes, both rich and poor. The funeral took place from the Presbyterian Church at half-past 2 o’clock last Wednesday afternoon, Rev. J. P. A. Dickey of Guysville, Ohio, delivering an able and eloquent discourse on the occasion. The funeral was very largely attended, the three sons and four grandsons acting as pall-bearers. The remains were interred in the beautiful Hamden Cemetery, to await the coming of the resurrection morning. Those who mourn her sad death have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their hour of sore affliction.
Among those in attendance from a distance were the following relative and friends of the deceased: Jno. W. Wilcox, New Orleans, La.; Mrs. Anna Wilson, Halstead, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Wilcox and sons, C. R. Wilcox, George H. Wilcox and H. H. Wilcox, and Mr. D. S. Craig of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Mrs. Blanche Barnes, Chicago, Ills.; C. E. Wilcox, Frankfort, Ohio; W. P. Clark and S. D. Lyle, Allensville, Ohio; Mrs. Harvey Sampson, Miss Frances Sampson and Mrs. H. H. Shively, McArthur, O.; Mrs. M. A. Hawk, New Plymouth, O.
At the close of the funeral discourse, Rev. Dickey read the following paper, which is a very fitting tribute to the memory of the deceased:
“Mary Jane McClanahan was born A. D. 1810, at Newton-on-Avon, near Londonderry, Ireland. She came to America in 1818, was married to Dr. Joseph Wilcox at New Athens, Ohio, May 24th, 1834. She was the mother of eight children, all of whom are living but one - the oldest daughter. Four daughters and three sons remain and are all present but one, Mrs. I. N. Cooper of Caldwell, Kansas, who was not able to come. Aunt Mary (as she was familiarly called) was the youngest of her father’s family, all of whom preceded her to the spirit world. Dr. Wilcox died in 1872. Mrs. Wilcox has been an accepted member of the Presbyterian Church of Hamden for 23 years, and prior to that was for 20 years a member of the Lutheran Church.
There are living 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren of the deceased. She had been a resident of this county since 1846. She fell asleep in the arms of her son Nathan at about noon on Sabbath, February 28, 1897, aged 87 years.”
Death cert says she died of heart failure in Hamden Jct at age 87. It had the date as 28 Feb 1987, which I assume is a transposition rather than the wrong century, based on her age and birth in 1810. It confirms that she was born in Ireland. Her tombstone reads 1811-Feb 29, 1897 aged 86y 8m 19d, but 1897 was not a leap year, so I have followed the death certificate data. I had her estimated birth year as 1812, this data would put it at 1810, and her death cert would make it 1809.
[Obituary] Scrapbook of Grace Wilcox Craig, Collection of Nicholas J. and Lesley K. Cafarelli, Minneapolis, MN
Death of Mary J. Wilcox -
At about the noon hour on last Sunday, February 28th, 1897, after an illness of only a few days, Mrs. Mary J. Wilcox, mother of R. S. Wilcox, died very suddenly of heart failure, and at the advanced age of 87 years. The deceased had lived in this community for a long time, and her kind, Christian ways and noble impulses and love for her large circle of acquaintances had won for her the esteem and respect of all classes, both rich and poor. The funeral took place from the Presbyterian Church at half-past 2 o’clock last Wednesday afternoon, Rev. J. P. A. Dickey of Guysville, Ohio, delivering an able and eloquent discourse on the occasion. The funeral was very largely attended, the three sons and four grandsons acting as pall-bearers. The remains were interred in the beautiful Hamden Cemetery, to await the coming of the resurrection morning. Those who mourn her sad death have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their hour of sore affliction.
Among those in attendance from a distance were the following relative and friends of the deceased: Jno. W. Wilcox, New Orleans, La.; Mrs. Anna Wilson, Halstead, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Wilcox and sons, C. R. Wilcox, George H. Wilcox and H. H. Wilcox, and Mr. D. S. Craig of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Mrs. Blanche Barnes, Chicago, Ills.; C. E. Wilcox, Frankfort, Ohio; W. P. Clark and S. D. Lyle, Allensville, Ohio; Mrs. Harvey Sampson, Miss Frances Sampson and Mrs. H. H. Shively, McArthur, O.; Mrs. M. A. Hawk, New Plymouth, O.
At the close of the funeral discourse, Rev. Dickey read the following paper, which is a very fitting tribute to the memory of the deceased:
“Mary Jane McClanahan was born A. D. 1810, at Newton-on-Avon, near Londonderry, Ireland. She came to America in 1818, was married to Dr. Joseph Wilcox at New Athens, Ohio, May 24th, 1834. She was the mother of eight children, all of whom are living but one - the oldest daughter. Four daughters and three sons remain and are all present but one, Mrs. I. N. Cooper of Caldwell, Kansas, who was not able to come. Aunt Mary (as she was familiarly called) was the youngest of her father’s family, all of whom preceded her to the spirit world. Dr. Wilcox died in 1872. Mrs. Wilcox has been an accepted member of the Presbyterian Church of Hamden for 23 years, and prior to that was for 20 years a member of the Lutheran Church.
There are living 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren of the deceased. She had been a resident of this county since 1846. She fell asleep in the arms of her son Nathan at about noon on Sabbath, February 28, 1897, aged 87 years.”
Spouses
Birth31 Mar 1810, New Castle Co, DE
Death26 Jul 1873, Richland Twp, Vinton Co, OH
BurialHamden Cem, Hamden, Vinton Co, OH
OccupationDoctor, Dry Goods Merchant
FatherNathaniel L. Wilcox (1787-1844)
MotherTabitha Alexander (1787-1858)
Misc. Notes
Listed as from Ireland on his dau's death cert, but Delaware on all the census records. The determination of his parents was by process of elimination based on locations and age data from census records for Delaware and Guernsey Co. Batesville, Noble Co OH was originally Williamsburg, Beaver Twp, Guernsey Co OH. Noble Co was formed in 1851.
Noble Co History - "The first physician who settled in Batesville was Dr. Joseph Wilcox. He came in the infancy of the town, 1833, remained many years and had a large practice. Dr. Wilcox studied medicine in Uniontown, Belmont Co, OH."
Married in New Athens, Harrison Co OH by Rev. Richard Campbell on 14 May 1834.
The 1840 Guernsey Co census lists the following: males> 1<5, 1=20-30, 1=30-40 female> 2<5, 1=5-10, 1=20-30 and notes that there are two persons in the family who are in "learned professions and engineers". This confirms that Joseph was already a doctor and may indicate that a brother is living with them. In 1850 Vinton Co census he is listed as a physician (40) with $6600 of land born in Delaware. Also listed are his wife and 7 children.
19 January 1853 - 22 August 1857 - Allensville Postmsaster.
In 1860 he is listed as a doctor (physician) with $5,400 of land and $400 of personal property, born in Delaware (age 50) and from Maryland; and Delaware in census' for dau Mary. Living with them is a grandchild, Mary Miller due to the death of their dau Isabella.
27 July 1861 - 23 December 1867 - Allensville Postmaster.
In 1870 he is listed with his wife and 3 daughters. He was a Dry Goods Merchant with $2500 of land and $3000 of other holdings, born in Delaware (age 60). He was also listed as a citizen over 21. Death Cert says he died in Richland Twp at age 64 of rheumatism. He was a physician born in Delaware. His tombstone lists him (in error) as Dr. Joseph Wilcox 1810-1863.
[Obituary? in news article of his granddaughter, Mamie Cooper’s, scrapbook]
Dr. J. Wilcox, a man and his family to whom the citizens of Allensville owe a greater debt of gratitude than any other man or family ever sharing forturnes and misfortunes with them in their village history. The Dr. was untiring and skilled in his profession, so long as he could serve the public. He was persistent in all his business relationships, full of push and public enterprise, and an uncompromising freesoiler and temperance advocate; In a word, was the most intellectual and smartest man of the town. His personal presence and speech were characterized with more weight, influence and bearing, coupled with good sense and sound judgement, than any six men of the village, comparatively speaking. He was liked and despised by friend and foe. He was a medley of the positive and negative elements combined. His family was both intellectual and ornamental, moving in the highest circles of respectability.
Noble Co History - "The first physician who settled in Batesville was Dr. Joseph Wilcox. He came in the infancy of the town, 1833, remained many years and had a large practice. Dr. Wilcox studied medicine in Uniontown, Belmont Co, OH."
Married in New Athens, Harrison Co OH by Rev. Richard Campbell on 14 May 1834.
The 1840 Guernsey Co census lists the following: males> 1<5, 1=20-30, 1=30-40 female> 2<5, 1=5-10, 1=20-30 and notes that there are two persons in the family who are in "learned professions and engineers". This confirms that Joseph was already a doctor and may indicate that a brother is living with them. In 1850 Vinton Co census he is listed as a physician (40) with $6600 of land born in Delaware. Also listed are his wife and 7 children.
19 January 1853 - 22 August 1857 - Allensville Postmsaster.
In 1860 he is listed as a doctor (physician) with $5,400 of land and $400 of personal property, born in Delaware (age 50) and from Maryland; and Delaware in census' for dau Mary. Living with them is a grandchild, Mary Miller due to the death of their dau Isabella.
27 July 1861 - 23 December 1867 - Allensville Postmaster.
In 1870 he is listed with his wife and 3 daughters. He was a Dry Goods Merchant with $2500 of land and $3000 of other holdings, born in Delaware (age 60). He was also listed as a citizen over 21. Death Cert says he died in Richland Twp at age 64 of rheumatism. He was a physician born in Delaware. His tombstone lists him (in error) as Dr. Joseph Wilcox 1810-1863.
[Obituary? in news article of his granddaughter, Mamie Cooper’s, scrapbook]
Dr. J. Wilcox, a man and his family to whom the citizens of Allensville owe a greater debt of gratitude than any other man or family ever sharing forturnes and misfortunes with them in their village history. The Dr. was untiring and skilled in his profession, so long as he could serve the public. He was persistent in all his business relationships, full of push and public enterprise, and an uncompromising freesoiler and temperance advocate; In a word, was the most intellectual and smartest man of the town. His personal presence and speech were characterized with more weight, influence and bearing, coupled with good sense and sound judgement, than any six men of the village, comparatively speaking. He was liked and despised by friend and foe. He was a medley of the positive and negative elements combined. His family was both intellectual and ornamental, moving in the highest circles of respectability.
Marriage14 May 1834, New Athens, Harrison Co, OH
Marr Memoby Rev. Richard Campbell
ChildrenIsabella P. (1835-1858)
Tabitha Jane (1836-1927)
Robert Smith (1838-1925)
Mary Louise (1840-1920)
Anna Elizabeth “Liza” (1842-1929)
Nathaniel Cullen (1845-1926)
John William (1847-1923)
Alice L. (1852-1937)