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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HUGH LEMON MEGOWN, blacksmith, post office Epton, was born Aug. 25, 1843, at his present residence on Piney Fork creek, a grandson of John Megown, who came from Ireland, and settled at Bayardstown, where he opened a stone-quarry. His parents, Alexander and Harriet (Stilley) Megown, were born in Butler county, Jan. 5, 1817, and Snowden township, Allegheny county, Oct. 8, 1820, respectively. Alexander was a blacksmith, and came to Snowden township in 1839, first working at his trade for Thomas Kiddoo, and afterward for Woods & Dexter in their spade and shovel works. In 1856 he bought the shop property of forty-three acres, and erected a new steam-power shop, known as the Excelsior Tool-works. Here he manufactured all kinds of heavy tools from 1860 to 1872. Hugh L. began in this shop in 1860, and worked for wages until he was of age. Aug. 25, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th P. V. C., commanded by Col. Thomas. He participated in about a dozen hard fought battles, was at Appomattox at the time of Lee’s surrender, and was mustered out June 6, 1865. Returning home, he worked in his father’s shop until April, 1872, when he went into partnership with his father and brother Samuel, under the firm name of A. Megown & Sons. The father dying Dec. 20, same year, Samuel conducted the shop for about a year. Mrs. Harriet Megown died Nov. 12, 1876. Mr. Megown married, July 19, 1866, Phoebe Merrington, born June 8, 1843, at McKeesport, daughter of James and Polly (West) Merrington, natives, respectively, of England and West Virginia. Her father died in July, 1879; her mother resides in Allegheny City. Mr. and Mrs. Megown have three children: Sally (wife of Charles Frick), Birdie (wife of John W. Dickinson) and Mary Ann (at home). Mr. Megown is a member of Post 544; G. A. R., of Gastonville.

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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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