McGaughey - Edward - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Weik's history of Putnam County, Indiana

Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1910, p 706 -- typed by Sara McGaughey Rand

In the absence of county historical societies, many important facts and events in the lives of the men who helped to make history in the early days of the statheood of Indiana which were once as familiar as household tales, are entirely forgotten.  After the lapse of many years it is impossible to give a clear and connected review of a life where no records are available. The reader, bearing this in mind, will be indulgent to the writer, who undertakes this work of love, deploring the negligence of the past in not securing information from living witnesses, and who now attempts to record the meager facts at hand. The parents of Edward W. McGaughey were Arthur O. and Sarah Bell McGaughey. His father was born on March 3, 1788 and came from Johnstown, PA to the West when a very young man, with a company of Rangers -- I presume a military company, armed for protection. At Corydon, Indiana in about 1810, he married Sarah Bell, who was born in Ky June 11, 1790.  Their family consisted of six children: William B; Edward W; Thomas D; Mary Jane; John and Harriet. Mary Jane McGaughey was the 1st white child born in Putnam County. The records of Putnam County show that the first term of court held in that county was at a private house about 16 miles south of town on 3 June 1822 and that Arthur McGaughey was clerk of the court and that the first case taken to the supreme court was by Arthur McGaughey. He held this office 23 or 4 years and lived on a farm about 3 miles south of Greencastle up to the time of his death, May 2, 1857. His wife was a woman of strong character and keen intellect and was well known for her independent and fearless frankness and energy in the discharge of her duties. She was a staunch member of the Baptist church and was a familiar figure, mounted on her gray mare, on her way to attend meetings and associations, in sunshine or rain. During one of her absences on Sunday an old soldier made a visit to her husband who was very fond of a practical joke. He drew the man out of his favorite subject of conversation - his war experiences - and about the time he expected his wife's return he said to the soldier, "Now take a piece of charcoal and mark out on the floor the plan of the battle of Lundy's Lane so I may know just the position of the British and American forces." The old man obeyed and was so absorbed in his work, explaining it as he drew the heavy lines on the clean, white boards that he did not notice the exit of his host nor the entrance of the hosts's wife, till he heard her indignant tones demanding the cause of his defacing her floor and ordering him to desist at once. The life of the pioneers was very prosaic and practical and devoted almost exclusively to the useful arts but by some means an industry was introduced in this household that bordered on the ornamental, in the cultivation of silk-worm cocoons. A large mulberry tree furnished the nourishment required and the experiment was successful. The thread was prepared and knit into gloves.  A pair yet remains that was given to her son, Edward who took pride in showing the handiwork of his mother. He manifested his love for his parents and his thoughtfulness for their welfare in providing for them in his will.

Edward W. McGaughey was born in Putnam County, Indiana on Jan 16, 1817.  He was principally self-educated as he entered his father's office as deputy clerk at a very early age. He was married to Margaret Matlock Jan 18, 1838 at Greencastle she being the daughter of James Matlock and Rosanna Wood Matlock of Danville, Indiana. He signed his own marriage license, "Arthur McGaughey, Clerk, per EW McGaughey, Deputy."  His father was opposed to his marriage on account of his youth. At the March term, 1835 the records show that EW McGaughey  produced a certificate of good character and, after examination was admitted to the practice of law in Putnam County at the age of 18 years.

In the fall of 1840 Thompson killed Rhynerson.  He was arrested, indicated, tried and hung all within 30 days. The trial was in January 1841 and hanging in Feb 1841.  EW McGaughey defended Thompson.

IN 1842 EW McGaughey made his first race for office - that of state Senator - and was elected, defeating Albert G. Hutton. When the Legislature convened his first effort was to have the congressional district in which he was residing changed so as to give the district to the Whigs, which was done. He resigned to make his 1st race for Congress.  This, I think was in 1843 when his opponent was Joseph A. Wright, who won the election by 3 votes. In looking over a copy of the Western Visitor, July 20, 1843, published at Greencastle, I find it brim full of this race, and as it was a Whig paper it was very sanguine of the election of its candidate. It says, "But the citizens of old Putnam raised Ned McGuaghey and well may they be proud of him.  They are and they will not be ashamed to own it on the 1st Monday in August next."   In this paper is a reference to RW Thompson from the Wabash Courier, which refers to a speech made there and to his intention of making Terre Haute his residence.

Mr. McGaughey was elected to the 29th Congress which convened in December 1845 and also to the 31st which convened Dec 3, 1849.  I think he was a candidate for the 32nd Congress and was defeated by John G. Davis of Parke Co.  He was a strong opponent of the Mexican War and delivered a strong speech on the subject in Congress. President Taylor nominated him governor of the Territory of Minnesota, but he failed of confirmation by the Senate in conseuqence of his attitude on the war question.  President Taylor nominated him governor of the territory of MN but he failed of confirmation by the Senate in consequence of his attitude on the war question.  His rejection caused great excitement and indignation among the Whigs of Indiana. In speaking of the distinguished men of Parke County, the Rockville Tribune in May 1896 had this to say to Mr. McGaughey: "There was another, also an adopted son of Parke County and though the number of years he spent within her borders was comparatively few, yet we claim him with as much pride as if he was to the manor born. No one who has come down from a former generation but remembers with a glow of enthusiasm and admiration the gifted, clear-headed, courageous, ambitious, and brilliant Ned McGaughey. His triumphs at the bar were the fireside talk of those early days. His defiant and chivalric contests on the stump were the pride and glory of his friends and the terror of his political enemies. In person he was about 5'7" in height, slenderly made, had a sallow complexion, dark har, was thin visaged and slightly stoop-shouldered.  his voice was not mellow or musical, but had about it a nasal Yankee twang - clear, piercing and penetration.  He was a prodigy of industry and energy.  Day and night his active and acute mind was on the alert, devouring and absorbing the principles of law and politics.  "He seemed to dwell entirely in the region of the intellectual.  His mind and body were disproportioned; the hungry, grasping, aggressive intellect did its work clearly, positively, completely, but at the expense of a delicate and feeble constitution. His brain seemed to outrun his body, and, as a consequence, he died comparatively in early life. The leading characteristics of his mind were great clearness of mental vision and an unyielding, uncompromising and absolutely logical method of mental operation. No fights of imagination or flowers or rhetoric adorned his arguments before the bar and the people; he made no efforts at rounded periods or the mere graces of oratory to attract, amuse or please; but a bristling point was in every sentence, defined by exact language and enforced by the power of pure reasoning. Either knowing or caring nothing for the sensibilities, his field of battle, in his intellectual contests was in the realm of the intellect and the will,s ave at times when he let fly a glittering sentence of sarcasm or invective, which cut right and left like a Damascus blade, or scratched and scathed and blistered and shivered like a molten bolt of lightning."  Edward W. McGaughey was born in Putnam County and practice law in and was elected to Congress from that county. He came to Parke County about 1848 and entered into partnership with Governor Wright in the practice of law.  He was elected to Congress while a resident of this county, but in a subsequent race for congressional honors was defeated.  He was mortified and chagrined over his defeat and it largely influenced him in his determination to remove to another field.  He turned his face toward the sunset land and determined to cast his lot and exercise his great talents in the state of California to which state he finally went.  But the overworked and delicate constitution at last gave way before his career in that distant land began. The lamp of his life, brilliant and constant to the last, went out in darkness forever. His remains sleep on the golden slopes of that far-off state but time nor distance can efface fromt he memory of our people his talents and his brilliant public service, or abate the tithe of a hair our claim that his ashes and his fame are the common property of the people of Parke County."  Mr. McGaughey was at one time an applicant for the appointment of commissioner of the general land office, but failed. The story is thus told in "The Life of Lincoln" by WH Herndon and Jesse William Weik: "Lincoln sayd, 'I believe that so far as the Whigs in Congress are concerned, I could have the General Land Office almost by common consent, but then Sweet and Dan Morrison, and Browning and Cyrus Edwards all want it, and what is worse while I think I could easily take it for myself. I fear I shall have trouble to get it for any other man in Illinois.  The reason is that McGaughey, an Indiana ex-member of Congress is here after it and being personally known he will be hard to beat by any one who is not."'  The authors say, "But as the sequel proved, there was no need to fear the Hoosier statesman for although he had the endorsement of General Scott and others of equal influence, yet he was left far behind in the race, and along with Lincoln, Morrison, Browning and Edwards.  A dark horse in the person of Justin Butterfield, sprang into view and with surprising facility captured the tempting prize."

The death of Hon. Edward W. McGaughey is thus recorded in the San Francisco Whig on Aug 7, 1852. "It is our painful duty to record the demise of Hon. EW McGaughey, who arrived in San Francisco on the 4th inst by the Winfield Scott.  He died at James' Hotel yesterday morning at 1 o'clocKnights of Pythiasanama fever (Malaria)with which he was attacked on the passage.  Dr. Greathouse of Ky, Judge Hammond of Indiana and other kind friends who were with him on board the steamer, were unremitting in their attentions to him and slight hopes were entertained that he would recover on reaching this place.  Immediately on landing, Dr. Aldrich of this city, was called on to assist in attending to him and exerted every means that medical skill could suggest for his restoration. But he had become so emaciated and enfeebled that all was without avail. He did not die among strangers. Old acquaintances and friends were around him and paid him every possible attention.  Among them were Hon. George C. Bates, ex-Governor McDougal and Hon. PW Tompkins. Col. ED Baker who had known him familiarly was not in town at the time of his death.  Mr. McGaughey was formerly a Whig member of the Congress of Indiana and one of the youngest members of that body and of more than average talents.  He had embarked for California with the intention of prosecuting his profession of law and politics.  The following letters, one from WD Griswold and one from the late Governor Joseph A. Wright, tell of the esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries:

Mrs. EW McGaughey: Dear Madam, I am deputed to transmit to you a copy of resolutions adopted by members of the bar of this circuit at this place during the recent session of court in memory of your deceased husband. These resolutions you will find enclosed with this. Having taken part in their adoption, it is almost unnecessary for me to express further any sentiments I entertain in relation to the sad event which called them forth. Yet I can not refrain to say to you that the unexpected news of Mr. McGaughey's death impressed me mournfully.  We were of nearly the same age and we commenced our professional careers together in the same courts. During some 13 or 14 years we were on terms of uninterrupted friendship.  I therefore could not but feel that the blow that struck him down fell very near to me.  I deeply sympathize with you and your dear children in this bereavement. Your husband and their father was a man of talents and a man of honor. Ambitious as he was, I believe that he never swerved in his integrity or in his fidelity.  His death is greatly a public loss - greatly a loss to his friends and associates, but principally yours. The memory of his virtues will comfort you.  You can with truth and fidelity hold out to your children the example of his life for their guidance and emulation.  In this exercise I confidently believe you will realize much consolation in the dark hours of your widowhood. Believe me, with sincerest sympathy and regards, your friend and servant, WD Griswold."  

p 712- Mrs. EW McGaughey - Madam -- I have neglected on account of my absence from home in sending to you before this my tribute of respect for the memory of your beloved husband. I can most fully appreciate your loss.  I know the anguish of your heart, the ties that are broken and can unite with you in the warmest sympathy of condolence.  I knew our deceased husband in all the various relations of life, perhaps better than any other person, not related to him.  And in view of all this, can say the country has lost one of her brightest jewels, society an active, industrious and useful citizen and to you and your fatherless children the loss is not only that of husband, father, friend, brother, guardian and protect, but he was, in that more intimate and close relation, your all, the head of your family.  You must look to the source from whence comes all our blessings, the father of the widow and the fatherless. He alone is able to heal up all our wounds, administer to us consolation in the darkest hours.  Without His aid we are liable any moment to go astray. May He comfort, sustain and encourage you in this, your dark hour of trouble. When I visit your place I will call and deliver in person what I can not on paper, the warmest expression of my sympathy.  Accept this humble tribute from one who has lately passed through the same affliction and who most heartily joins in wishing you peace, prosperity and happiness in this life of trouble.  Your friend, Joseph A. Wright."
Edward W. and Margaret McGaughey were the parents of five children: Sara M, Mary, Edward W, Charles O. and Thomas Corwin.  Sara m. became the wife of George Dexter Rand of Burlington, Iowa, the wedding occurring at Greencastle, Dec 25, 1862  In a few days, Mr. Rand received his commission as paymaster in theUS Volunteer Navy and reported on board the gunboat, Silver Lake on the Ohio River at Smithland, KY under Commodore Leroy Fitch. In about a year he received his commission as paymaster in the US regular navy.  In 1864 he was sent to the upper Tennessee River in charge of four gunboats, which were to keep the river open from Decatur, Alabama, to Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn. He served till the close of the Civil War, when he resigned. Remaining in the south, Mr. Rand engaged in the lumber business at Bridgeport, Alabama, and Gadsden, the same sate until 1880 when he came to Keokuk, Iowa where he was manager of the Carson & Rand Lumber Co.  He was elected mayor of the city on the Republican ticket. During his term of service a large tract of land was bought by the city, and the city council named it Rand Park in his honor. Mr. Rand was VP of the State Central Savings Bank of which bank William Logan was president.  Mr. Rand died Nov 12, 1903 and is buried in the city Cemetery at Greencastle, Indiana. Mary McGaughey was married to Henry Christian Heine on Oct 2, 1866 at Indianapolis.  After the close of the Civil War they moved to Bridgeport, Alabama and Mr. Heine was employed by the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis RR.  After Edward W. McGaughey who was RR Agent there, moved to Chattanooga, Tenn, Mr. Heine was appointed Agent which position he still fills. Mr. and Mrs. Heine became the parents of 3 daughters and one son: Sophie, Mary, Pauline & McGaughey.  Mary married Jefferson Washburn of NY and both died in 1904.  Mrs. Heine died June 1903.  Pauline, alone of the children survives. She was married to James Earls, of Tenn in June 1900 and they live in Tullahoma, Tenn.  Edward W. McGaughey, Jr. was a student in old Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana but during the Civil War he left college and joined an Indiana battery seeing hard service in Ky. He was transfered to the US Navy as midshipman and served till the close of the war.  He was telegrapher in the railroad office at Bridgeport, Alabama and afterwards appointed Agent. He was promoted to freight agent at Chattanooga, and later he resigned to accept a position with the Big 4 RR as traffic manager, with headquarters at Chattanooga, which position he held at the time of his death, which occurred Dec 17, 1890.  On Oct 26, 1869 at Bridgeport, Alabama Edward McGaughey married NA Troxell and they had 3 daughters, Sallie Rand McGaughey was married to John Harland Morris, of Greencastle, Indiana Dec 28, 1898 and one son, John Raymond Morris is their only child. Mrs. Morris died May 5, 1904 and is buried at Keokuk, Iowa. Margaret lives with her mother at Keokuk.  Edwich Genevieve married Sam V. Cox at Keokuk July 27, 1899 and they have 3 daughters living, Genevieve R, Ruth E and Grace E.  They live at Keokuk.  Charles Oliver McGaughey was married to Abbie Linton at Indianapolis, June 29, 1873. On Oct 19, 1897 at Bridgeport, Al he was married to Anna Belle Hall.  One son, Charles O. is the only child.

Charles O. McGaughey died at Bridgeport, Alabama on April 25, 1906 and is buried Forest Hill Cemetery, Chattanooga. Thomas Corwin McGaughey was married to Lydia Gilchrist in Indianapolis Feb 22, 1872. They lived in Chattanooga a number of years but now are living in St. Louis, MO.  They have two daughters.  Margaret married William McCarthy in Chattanooga, Tenn on Sept 3, 1895 and they have one son, Raymond.  Pearl was married to James D. Leahy at Chattanooga, Tenn on June 7, 1905. They have two daughters and live in St. Louis, Missouri.