Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 659
GEORGE H. MCGAVREN, M.D.

George H. MCGAVREN, M.D., was among the pioneer band who found their way to Western Iowa, in 1954. Our subject was born March 8, 1819, in Indiana County, Pa., and is the son of George and Nancy (EWERT) MCGAVREN. He lived in Pottawattamie County, from 1854 to 1858, and was in partnership in the practice of medicine with his brother Dr. Robert MCGAVREN for thirteen years, and in 1868 removed to Missouri Valley, where he continued to practice, until the winter of 1888, when he received a fall on the street, which injury caused a derangement of his mind, and in 1889 it became necessary to send him to the asylum at Clarinda, where he still remains. Our subject was first married in October, 1859 to Lucinda FAUCHNAUT, and by this union five children were born: Maria, deceased; Viola, widow of Reuben PALMER; Charles William, M.D., at Missouri Valley; Lenora, wife of C. C. DORR, of Missouri Valley; and Jennie, wife of Lucien COOK, of the same place. The mother of these children, died December 23, 1861, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Johns Township. Our subject second marriage occurred in July, 1862, when he was united to Rosilla TERWILLIGER, a native of Clarion County, Pa. By this union five children were born, three of whom still survive: Robert C., of Missouri Valley; Hattie, wife of Mr. SHERWOOD, of Des Moines; and Nellie, is living with her mother in Missouri Valley.

Dr. MCGAVREN was elected as a member of the Iowa Legislature in 1869; serving one term. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Missouri Valley, and is a Republican of the deepest dye. He was at one time a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was at one time in partnership with Dr. COIT, and also with D. MCKELVY, and after his son Charles W. was graduated, they practiced together.

No man stood higher in the community, socially, professionally, and in a business point of view that did our subject, and the misfortune that overtook him toward the evening of his life was deplored by the whole community. He was Chairman of the first Board of the County Supervisors of Harrison County.

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