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JAMES N.
McCOY. The record of the life of this
gentleman will be read with interest, not only from the fact
that he occupies a position of prominence among the business men
of Kenton, but also because it illustrates the power of
self-reliance and untiring perseverance. Early obliged to
become self-supporting, contact with the world developed in him
the traits of energy, industry and determination, which are
among his leading characteristics. He is the senior member
of the firm of J. N. McCoy & Son, proprietors of a large
drug store in Kenton, the success of which enterprise is largely
due to his ability and judicious management.
The subject of this sketch is a member of a family of
Scotch Covenanters, who left their native land and settled in
the North of Ireland during the religious revolution. His
grandfather, Neal McCoy, was born in the latter place,
but emigrated to America when a young man, and spent his
remaining years in Pennsylvania. The youngest of his six
sons was Alexander, our subject's father, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1800, and came to Ohio in 1825, remaining in
Wayne County until his death, in 1840. In religious belief
he was a member of the Associate Presbyterian Church. He
was a stanch advocate of anti-slavery, when the questions of
slavery began to agitate the people, and though he died long
before the Civil War, he foresaw its coming.
Six months before the death of Alexander McCoy,
his wife passed from earth. She born the maiden name of
Elizabeth Black, and was a native of Pennsylvania and of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. Her forefathers were prominent
members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, and were people of
great Piety and nobility of character. She, too, was a
devout Christian, and led a consistent life, her sweetness of
disposition winning the friendship of all who knew her.
Our subject was born in Wayne County, near Wooster,
Ohio, Feb. 3, 1827. Of six children, he was next to the
eldest. His bother, Robert, was a photographer at
Brazil, Ind., where he died. He had four sisters, of whom
two survive, namely: Mrs. Mary McGaughey, of Mansfield,
Ohio; and Mrs. Elizabeth McElroy, a widow residing in
Scotland, Ind. James N. was but thirteen years old
when his parents died, and at that age he started out to make
his own way in life. Learning the cabinet-maker's trade,
he worked at that occupation four years, but having had only
limited educational advantages prior to that time, he decided to
enter the schools of Wooster, which he did, conducting his
studies there for a time.
Upon leaving school, Mr. McCoy entered a drug
store as clerk. In 1850 he went to California, making the
trip overland and suffering much hardship on the way.
Provisions being scarce, he was obliged to subsist for some time
on parched corn, but finally reached his destination in safety.
He spent six years in the gold fields, meeting with fair
success, after which he returned to Ohio, and in 1860 came to
Kenton. In this city, associated with Dr. A. W. Munson,
he embarked in the drug business. When the war broke out,
Dr. Munson withdrew to enter the army, and Mr. McCoy
associated with himself Dr. J. S. Pollock. At the
close of the Rebellion Dr. Munson again became his
partner, and continued as such until 1868, when our subject
became the sole proprietor. A few years ago he took his
son, R. H., into partnership, and the two continue the
business which he started thirty-five years ago.
Aside from this, Mr. McCoy has had other
important interests. For a number of years he has been
extensively engaged in farming. He was one of the original
stockholders in the Water Works Company, and when it was sold to
the city he was made one of the Trustees. In the
organization of the Scioto Gas Company he assisted and is now a
Director in the concern. He is also a Director of the
Building and Loan Savings Company, and is a stockholder of the
Smith Silk Machine Tool Company. First this it will be
seen that he is closely identified with many of the most
important enterprises of the city. Every measure having
for its object the promotion of the welfare of the people
receives his cordial support. He has labored in every way
possible to promote the growth of the city and advance its
social, moral and commercial interests. His life has been
an exemplary one, and for many years he has been an Elder in the
United Presbyterian Church.
In 1856 occurred the union in marriage of J. N.
McCoy and Miss Rebecca Black, of Wooster, Ohio.
Mrs. McCoy is a member of a pioneer family, of Wooster,
and is a lady of refined character, whose happiness has centered
in the welfare of her children. Three sons survive, one
son and a daughter having died in childhood. The eldest
son, Dr. C. D. McCoy, is a graduate of the Kenton High
School and Monmouth College, at Monmouth, Ill., where he spent
four years. Later he was graduated from Rush Medical
College of Chicago, and for the past five years has been a
practicing physician of Kenton. The second son, R. H.,
is a graduate of the College of Pharmacy in Chicago, and the
National College of Pharmacy, of the same place, and is now in
the drug business with his father. The youngest son, W.
E., is studying pharmacy in the Ohio Normal University at
Ada.
A life-long Republican in politics, Mr. McCoy
has, however, never taken an active part in public affairs,
preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.
He is well informed concerning the issues of the age, and is
posted upon local and national questions. To such citizens
as he the city of Kenton owes its prosperity and the steady
advance of its material interests. |
