McIlravy/McElravy

The 1812 Immigrants from Ballyleese, Ireland, to Washington County, Pennsylvania


Biography of Robert J. McElravy,
grandson of George (~1811 - >1880)


Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio. Topeka: Historical Pub. Co., 1926

Robert J. McElravy is one of the representative business men of East Liverpool, where he is identified with the McElravy Brothers Motor Company as President and general manager.

He was born at Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ohio, Sept.17. 1879, and is a son of Daniel Webster and Lydia Ann Mercer McElravy.

Daniel Webster McElravy, a native of Harrison Co., Ohio was the son of James [George] and Mary McElravy, and a well known building contractor in Carroll Co. He died in June, 1911, and his wife, also a native of Harrison Co., resides with her son in East Liverpool. She is the daughter of William and Ann Mercer, natives of Mercer Co., Pa. To Mr.and Mrs. McElravy the following children were born: George W. married Mae Black, lives in Carroll Co., Ohio where he is engaged in farming, Charles lives in Carroll Co.. John and Frank, both deceased, Lillian M., lives with her brother in East Liverpool, Robert J. the subject of this sketch, and Edward H., married Maud Burgess, lives in East Liverpool.

Robert J. McElravy was graduated from Carrollton High School in 1897 and in that year came to East Liverpool and entered the employ of the Ohio Valley Gas Company. He resigned his position as cashier with this company in 1900 and became associated in business with C. A. Smith, with who he was identified until June 25, 1925. For several years he served as superintendant of the East Liverpool and Beaver Valley Traction Company, which was owned by Mr. Smith. Mr. McElrave was also connected with the Steubenville, East Liverpool and Beaver Traction company as assistant general manager from 1915 to 1922 and was general manager of the Chester General Contracting Comany of East Liverpool, Ohio from 1917 to 1922. C. A Smith is one of the leading real estate operatores of Columbiana County and has extensive business interests with which Mr. McElravy was identified with until 1925. On Jan. 1, 1823, Mr. McElravy established his present business at 114 South Market Street. He had the agency for the White trucks and in 1924 took over the agency for the Nash and Marmon automobiles. The McElravy Brothers Motor Company is among the leading automobile agencies of the county, and carries on a large volume of business.

In 1905 Mr. McElravy was united in marriage with Miss Harriet V. Ashbaugh, the daughter of Oliver M. and Kate (Bradshaw) Ashbaugh, the former a native of East Liverpool and the latter of England.Mr.and Mrs. Ashbaugh are deceased. Mrs. McElravy died February 14, 1914, and is buried at Riverview Cemetery. A daughter Lydia Pauline was born July 23, 1907. She was graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1925.

Note: A Washington Post article Mar 19, 1941, indicates that Lydia married James Bryant McQuoure(?). A New York Times obituary of Oct 23, 1953 reports the death of "James Bryant McQuown, principal in North Plainfield, New Jersey, who left 3 children & a widow, Lydia McElreavy McQuown."
[Thanks to Wayne McElreavy for these references.]
Mr. McElravy is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Shrine and Else Lodge. He has been well and favorably known in Columbiana County for many years and is an excellent citizen.


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