Following is one of the Biographies and Stories which where gathered by Charles Sumner McKamy in the 1950s for publication in a Crawford County History Book. Unfortunately he passed away before the book was published.
contributed by Mrs. J.S. Knotts, Palestine
Rush Patton McGahey, born June 21, 1845 in Crawford County, son of Allen McGahey: married Margaret Ann VanHorn, born June 2, 1848 in Ohio. To this union there were three sons, Allen, John W. and Ralph. Rush live on the farm south and east of Gordon most of his early life. Later moving to Duncanville where he died on May 26, 1926. His wife Margaret Ann preceded him in death Dec. 25, 1914. Both are buried at the McGahey Mail Cemetery south of Palestine.
Allen McGahey, oldest son of Rush Patton McGahey, was born Nov. 25, 1870 and on Oct. 18, 1893, married Eva Alice Swan, born Oct. 7, 1870, daughter of Zachary Taylor and Martha Seaney Swan. They established their home on a portion of the old Homestead where they reared their family of six children. Eva Alice passed away August 27, 1930 and is buried in the new cemetery at Robinson, Illinois.
Mary Gladys McGahey, oldest daughter of Allen McGahey, was born July 31, 1894 and attended the rural school (Buncombe) and Robinson High School. She married Robert Graham in 1938 and their home is in Royal Oak, Michigan. She follows the profession of dressmaker there.
Allen Clare McGahey, oldest son of Allen McGahey, was born July 15, 1896. October 11, 1919 he married Florence Crozier. To this union were two children, Eugene Clare and Florence Jean. Florence passed away Dec. 31, 1924 and is buried in the new Robinson Cemetery. On August 28, 1926, Clare married Vola Crozier and a son Glen Dee is born on August 17, 1927. They now own their own farm south of the old McGahey homestead. Dee's home adjoins his father's on the south. Larry Dee, son of Glen Dee, was born December 24, 1952.
Elsie Vera McGahey, daughter of Allen McGahey, was born Oct. 9, 1897. After attending the rural school and Robinson and Palestine High School entered the Allen Sanitarium where she took up nursing, a profession she still follows.
Martha Margaret McGahey, daughter of Allen McGahey, was born May 21, 1899, attended the rural school and also followed the nursing profession, later during world war two worked in a factory in Indianapolis, Indiana. She married Everett McHenry of Rushville, Ind. and they now live in Xenia, Ohio.
Velda Ellen McGahey, daughter of Allen McGahey, was born April 23, 1903, attended Palestine High school and Sparks business school, Shelbyville, Illinois. On Sept. 19, 1942 she married Joseph Shaw Knotts, son of Edward and Rinda Shaw Knots. Their home is in Palestine, Illinois.
Ralph Paul McGahey, son of Allen McGahey, was born Dec. 9, 1904. He attended the rural school and Palestine High School. He married Bernice McCrillis, daughter of Mack McCrillis of south of Palestine, Illinois. He lives in Robinson, Illinois where he operated his own car repair shop for several years.
John W. McGahey, son of Rush Patton McGahey, was born Feb. 7, 1873 and passed away Sept. 16, 1873.
Ralph McGahey, third son of Rush Patton McGahey, was born Dec. 9, 1875, and married Elsie Swan, daughter of Zachary Taylor and Martha Seaney Swan. They established their home at the original home, his father moving to Duncanville, Illinois at this time. Edith, an only child, was born August 24, 1899. She attended Palestine High School and married Miles Conrad Nov. 11, 1919. They have two children, Mildred Lorene, a teacher, makes her home in Robinson, Illinois. Darrell, who lives in Indianapolis is an accountant.
Eugene McGahey, son of Allen Clare McGahey, was born June 28, 1920 and was married to Norma Guyer of Hutsonville, Illinois vicinity, June 30, 1942. A daughter, Beverly Ann, was born Apr. 11, 1948. Their home is in Highland, Indiana. Eugene attended Robinson High School.
Florence Jean, daughter of Allen Clare McGahey, was born Dec. 25, 1924 and attended Robinson High School. She was married to Charles Cawood of Flat Rock, Illinois vicinity, August 22, 1942. They have four daughters, Loretta Jean born June 10, 1943, Janet Lee born July 6, 1946, Susan Roberta born Oct. 6, 1948 and Debbie Jane born Oct. 5, 1950.