My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. McCOUN, farmer; P. O. German; Mr. McCoun is the son of James McCoun, and was born in Rush County, Ind., Jan. 16, 1833; his father is a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Indiana with his parents in 1819; in September, 1852, he disposed of his property in Indiana, which consisted of 160 acres of land, and emigrated to Ohio, locating in the “settlement” in German Township; here he purchased 562 acres, and is still living at the ripe age of 82 years, looking as though his fourscore and two years had dealt gently with him. The early life of our subject was that of a farmer; his winter months were devoted to the acquisition of knowledge, and so well did he improve his time that he was early qualified for the profession of teaching; this occupation he followed chiefly for twenty years, with success. He is a zealous advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and is one who assisted in crushing out the late rebellion and with it forever the cursed institution of slavery; he was a member of the 45th Penn. C. T., and participated in the battles of Hatcher’s Run, Petersburg, Richmond, etc., and was present at the surrender of General Lee; from thence they were sent into Texas, where he was honorably discharged with his regiment; from there he returned home, and has since been variously engaged in farming, teaching, brickmaking, contracting, etc. He is no political aspirant, but has been elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and is now serving on his last year of a three-years’ term; he has discharged the duties of his office with the same marked zeal and fidelity characteristic of his whole life; he also holds a trusteeship in the Union Literary Institution, and is fund commissioner of the same; he is a strong advocate of temperance, and both by precept and example opposes the evil of intemperance. His marriage with Miss Margaret Mason was celebrated Dec. 29, 1855; she was born in this county in 1835; nine children have been born to them, to wit: Laura B., deceased Oct. 8, 1879; her life, though short, was complete; she was a school teacher by occupation, at which she had been engaged from the age of 14 up to her death; Alice A., now teaching at Seymour, Ind., a position Laura B. filled previous to her death; William B. C., Essie J., Sidney R., Augustus L. deceased in infancy; Julian Grant, Houston Colfax and Florence Y. Mr. and Mrs. McCoun take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being identified with religious denominations, he with the Christian and she with the Methodist Episcopal Church.