Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 307
DR. ROBERT MCGAVREN

Dr. Robert MCGAVREN, one of the few hardy pioneers, who ventured into the then wild section of Western Iowa, during the year 1850, will form the subject of this biographical notice. He came to Pottawattamie County May 4, 1850, forty years ago, and lived within one-half mile of the Harrison County line, until October 16, 1858, when he moved to this county. He practiced medicine and carried on farming at the same time. He assisted in breaking up a farm in this county in 1851, which was then the property of William DAKAN. In 1863, Dr. McGAVREN came into possession of the place which he still owns.

Dr. McGAVREN was born in Indiana County, Pa., between Blairsville and Johnstown, May 22, 1821. He is a son of George and Nancy (EWART) McGAVREN. The father was born in Scotland and when seven years old emigrated to the County Monaghan, Ireland. He was born August 15, 1778, and learned the weaver's trade. He came to America in July, 1800, and first located in York County, Pa., and two years later removed to Indiana County, engaging in farming, which he followed the remainder of his days in connection with weaving. In 1829 he removed to Ohio, locating in Columbiana County and to Hardin in 1833. He died August 27, 1853. His wife died July 7, 1861. The former was buried at Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, and the latter at Oak Grove cemetery, near Old St. John's, Harrison County, Iowa. George McGAVREN was a soldier in the War of 1812.

The EWARTS were of Danish extraction; the great-grandfather, Thomas EWART, moved to Ireland in an early day, and our subject's uncle, Samuel EWART, came to America during the year of 1808, and was engaged in the latter days of the War of 1812 as surgeon. Our subject's mother was born December 23, 1782. By this marriage twelve children were born, six dying in infancy, and six sons grew to manhood, our subject being the tenth child. There are three now living: Samuel, of Elk Grove, Jefferson Township; George H., a resident of Missouri Valley; and Robert, our subject.

Dr. McGAVREN attended the common schools of the Buckeye State, and when seventeen years of age learned the plastering and brick-laying trade, following it a few years, but in 1843 began the study of medicine, which profession he began to practice in 1848 near where the town of Ada now stand, in Hardin County, Ohio. In 1849 he entered into partnership with Dr. McCHESNEY, at Huntersville, Ohio, and continued until April 4, 1850, when he saw visions of the New West -- Iowa, he went by boat down the Ohio and up the Missouri Rivers, and landed at Kanesville (now Council Bluffs) Iowa, requiring an even month to make the trip, landing May 4th. On May 18th he moved to the northwest quarter of section 1, township 78, range 44, where he remained until he removed to St. John's in 1858. Here he practiced his profession until 1870, and was engaged in the hardware trade for five years, but lost his store by fire in November, 1872. He has carried on farming and stock growing, on an extensive scale for many years, and has a thousand acres of Missouri Valley land, having fourteen hundred acres, all told, in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties.

When he first came to the county the settlers were nearly all Mormon believers, and he was only called upon (when it was a matter of necessity) in his professional capacity. Therefore one can see that as money scarce and winter coming on, something must be done. October 7, he packed his grip, leaving his wife and children, started for Missouri, going to Gentryville, Gentry County, he stuck out his shingle and immediately began to have a good practice. After a few weeks a Dr. JETT, who had looked over the ground before, came, and finding our subject with plenty to do, persuaded him to sell out to him. Dr. McGAVREN then returned home arriving on November 17th, with $212, the result of about six weeks' work. The first Monday in December, 1850, he began a school in what was then known as "Tennessee Hollow," now a portion of St. John's Township. This school was taught in the Mormon "Tabernacle" and he received his pay in various commodities, one portion paying in rails, another in a churn and tub, while others brought beef, and in one case two bushel of turnips were brought to him; but seldom ever seeing any cash. He continued to teach until March, 1851, having for his pupils, some who were men of a family. After mingling with the Mormons, in the capacity of a school-teacher, his practice as a physician began to increase, and from 1852 up to 1870, his services as a physician were in great demand.

In February, 1851, our subject was appointed on a commission to locate the county seat of Fremont County, and was also appointed by the Legislature of 1850-51, on a commission to locate the State road running from McKissick's Grove, on the Missouri and Iowa line, to Chase's Ford on the Little Sioux River, the same passing through where Missouri Valley now stands.

Politically, the Doctor was a staunch supporter of the Democratic party. He served in the capacity of County Supervisor of Harrison County for about nine years and was School Treasurer in both Pottawattamie and Harrison Counties, thirty-four years in all. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Valley Lodge, No. 232, of A. F. & A. M.; Triune Chapter, No. 81, and Ivanhoe Commandry No. 17, at Council Bluffs. He was the first Worshipful Master and a charter member of the Missouri Valley Lodge. He also belongs to Lodge No. 170, I.O.O.F. as well as the Encampment, No. 78.

He was united in marriage March 12, 1846, in Hardin County, Ohio, to Elizabeth R. KIRTLAND, of Scotch descent, but the family have been in this country for many generations. Our subject's wife was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 28, 1826, and they are the parents of six children -- James K., a resident of Missouri Valley, who has served the State in various capacities, including that of a member of the Legislature; George William, living in St. John's Township on a farm; Mary E., wife of E. A. BOIES, a resident of Missouri Valley; John Samuel, cashier of the First National Bank at Missouri Valley; Horatio Seymour, located at Stromsburg, Polk County, Neb., in the practice of medicine; the youngest child died in infancy.

There are but few men living within Harrison County to-day who have a wider acquaintance, more friends and a better detailed knowledge of western Iowa than Dr. McGAVREN. It will be remembered that he came to the country three years before the organization of Harrison County and watched the civilizing, transforming power for all these years. He has seen the country in its wilderness state, the last of the deer and elk, the advent of the first locomotive, was the first physician to practice among the pioneers, taught one of the earliest schools, was one of the proprietors of Old St. John's, and has seen first buildings erected in every town and hamlet in Harrison County. His life has not been one of an idle looker-on, but one of business energy which, together with his skill as a physician, has enabled him to make for himself a handsome -- indeed a princely competency.

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