Samuel Leroy McGavic (1845-1942)

MCGAVIC, HUBER, BOALS, HENDRIXON, MITCHELL, TRASK, BRIGGS

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 11/26/2019 at 14:36:54

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier December 29, 1942
Retired Lumber Dealer Succumbs Today At Age Of 97 Years
Samuel Leroy McGavic, Ottumwa's oldest businessman and widely known for his connection in the lumber business, died at 8:30 a.m. today at his home 328 East Fifth street. Mr. McGavic who was 97 years old, came to Ottumwa in 1876 and purchased the Joseph Kaiser lumber yard, formed the S.L. McGavic Lumber Co. and was connected with that business until the time of his death. He was prominently associated with Masonic bodies of Ottumwa, having been a member of Ottumwa lodge No. 16 A.F. & A.M. for more than 50 years. He was also a member of Clinton chapter No. 9, R.A.M. and of Malta Commandery No. 31, Knights of Templar, of which he served as eminent commander four times. Samuel Leroy McGavic was born September 4, 1845, in Clinton county, Ohio, the fifth son of Samuel and Phoebe Huber McGavic. He was married to Sarah Eleanor Boals, March 15, 1870 in Albia, and to this union five children were born. The survivors are Hamilton S. McGavic, Mrs. Margaret Hendrixon and Mrs. Martha L. Mitchell all of Ottumwa. Four grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive. Two children Samuel McGavic and Agnes McGavic died in infancy. His first wife Eleanor Boals McGavic preceded him in death and he latter married Elizabeth Trask Briggs, who also preceded him in death. He was educated at Howe's academy at Mt. Pleasant which he attended from 1860-1862. He then attended Byron & Stratton's business college. In 1885 he became associated with his brother in the general merchandise business in Eddyville In 1869 he opened a retail lumber business, in Albia and later operated lumber yards in Pella, Prairie City, and Oskaloosa. During the Civil was he volunteered for service with Captain Smith's volunteer company at Mt. Pleasant, but was not called to active duty. The body will remain at the Lester Jay funeral parlors pending completion of funeral arrangements.
Funeral services for S.L. McGavic dean of Ottumwa businessmen, who died Tuesday morning, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from his home, 328 East Fifth street. The Rev John Blough, pastor of the First Congregational church, will have charge of the services and burial will be in the Ottumwa cemetery. The body is at the residence. The following member of the Masonic lodge will serve as pallbearer: A.J. Epperly, Willis McClure, C.R. White, Glen Orvis, Charles Sutton and Norman Scott.