From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 335.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JAMES McCAHON

James McCahon, manager of the furnace department of the Top mill, is 
one of the well-known citizens of Wheeling, and is prominent in 
various fields of activity. He was born in the north of Ireland, 
January 7, 1839, and in his native country received a common school 
education, after which for five years he was apprenticed to a dealer 
in groceries.  In 1858 he was married to Ann J. Gilmour, and soon 
afterward he and wife crossed the ocean, and made their home near 
Philadelphia, where Mr. McCahon found employment as an iron worker.  
In 1860 he removed to Ohio and for ten years he was in the employment 
of the Cleveland Rolling Mill Co., holding, during four years of that 
period, the position of manager of the blast furnace.  In 1872 he 
removed to Martin's Ferry, and until the fall of 1878 took charge of 
the Benwood furnace.  Returning to Cleveland at the end of the period 
named, he resumed the management of the Cleveland rolling mill, and 
remained there until April, 1881, when he came to Wheeling to take 
charge of the Wheeling Iron and Nail company's furnace.  In this 
capacity he has since been engaged, displaying notable ability in the 
management of the interests intrusted to him.  Mr. McCahon is a 
stockholder in the mill with which he is engaged, also in the Benwood 
Iron works, and has made various other judicious and profitable 
investments.  In public affairs he has not taken an active part, 
though deeply interested in political matters, and a staunch 
republican and a friend of protection to American industry.  As a 
Mason he is quite prominent, being grand lecturer for the state of 
West Virginia for the Royal Arch chapter of that jurisdiction.  His 
membership is in Nelson lodge, No. 30, of which he is past master; 
Wheeling Union chapter, No.1, past high priest; Wheeling commandery, 
No. 1, K.T., of which he is P.E.C., and Albert Pike consistory, 
Washington, D.C., A.A.S.R.  He is also a member of Alpha lodge, K. of 
H.  Mr. McCahon and wife have had a large family of children, four of 
whom are now living:  Anna; Mary, wife of John H. Garrison; James A. 
and John A.      


(Linda Fluharty)