Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-01-13
JAMES 4. McMECHEN.
Death of an Old and Well-Known Resident
Of Wheeling,
AFTER an ILLNEOSOF ONLYA MONTH
A Full and Comprehensive Sketch Of His
Life.
A DESCENDANT or an OLD FAMILY.

james Hanson McMechen died at his
residence, No. 22O7 Chapline street, at
twenty minutes to eleven o'clock last
night, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
He was one of the oldest and best known
Of the citizens OF Wheeling, and his death
will carry sorrow and regret to the hearts
of large number of relatives and friends.
The deceased had been i'll for Geveral
weeks past, and his death therefore was
not unexpected, but the shock will be none
the less heavy for that, for he was universal
ly respected and esteemed by all who knew
him, and it was hoped he would rally
from his last illness,
James II. McMechen was the fifth son Of
B njsmin McMechen, and was born on the
old Homestead, iuet south of BenwOod,
Janusry 1s, 1918. He spent his earlier
years on the paterral farm, acquiring q
rude mental knowledge Of agricultural pur-
suits ard such scholastic knowledge as was
dispensed by the pedagogues Of that early
day. In the summer of JS25 he was cent
70 school ia this city, and the following
year attended felect school taught by
Rev. c. Wheeler, a Baptist minister,
who resided near Washington, Pa
In 1927 he went to school 20
William S. Morgan, at Elizabeth
town, now Moundsyille, ard in
the fall and winter of the same
year attenped the county school upon his
iather's extensive farm. In 1928 ne went
to Madison College, at UnioatOwn, Pa,
an institution j1st started under Metho-
dist patronage, Henry B. Bascom being its
President. Here he remained for five
years, taking thu degree of A. B., and ia
king first honors in his c ass. In 1882, i'm
mediately after graduating, Mr.. Meme chen
entered the ministry Of the NJ. E. Church,
and became attached to the Pitts
burg Conference. -Four years later
he married Miss Elizabeth A. SehoD,
of ClaIksburg, in which town the
the deceased YVES then sta toned. Shortly
afterwards Rev. McMethen entered the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and the sue
ceedirg year was passed at ParkeIsbuTg
after which he returned to Clarksburg
There he resided until 1884, being ,tly
engaged in educational work. In 1910 he
er gagged in conducting a female seminary,
Al d was also active in eI deavoring TO e.
cure system Of free p;pular education.
In 1s47 he removed to this city, and for
the srccetd ding Twenty years his time
was mostly give 20 popular education.
But lis energies were not confined
to this work. In 1852 AIr. McMechsn was
chosen presiding justice of Ohio county,
and filed the Office for the succeeding three
years. He then resigned and Ie-entered
upon the pursuit of educational work.
Ia 1871 lie was elected as one of the
| Board of Regents CT tie University OF
| West Virginia, With the understanding
/ that be was to take char &c OF the pIeparE-
tory department of that institution, and
slso tie prof s'Orship OF English literature.
lie found TIE labor too irksOme, however,
and soon resigned, to return to Wheeling.
T The succeeding year AID bali was gwen
ND TO miuisterial work in the Episcopal
parishes and general missionary laboTs,
bat at The end of thai time be resumed
tine position he had previously held OF
principal Of the Fifth ward public school.
This position be held until 1876, WREN de-
cliniug health compelled him to relirquish
all laboTs OF this nature.
During his connection with the city
schools Mr.. McMechen, IN cOmpiny
with Prof. F. S. Williams, organized the
Teachers Institute, a moat hourising or
g5nization, and also sided materially in
the organizati of tie State Teachers As-
ISOLATION. He WAS well known as lee
turer, and was also . valued contributor
TO the prees. AS an author Mr.. McMechen
was also well known, he having publishes
several works.
lie was the father Of twelve children,
several Of his daughters Being married to
well-known gentlemen of this vicinity.