Just before Xenophon’s second birthday, the Civil War began, and his father enlisted in June 1861 in the 40th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. James wrote home often, referring to Xenophon affectionately as “Sonny.” He sent money for a cap, mentioned sending books, and asked Emma to “kiss Xenophon” for him. Emma, in turn, once called her son “Xen” in her letters and sent James a lock of the boy’s hair. During James’ absence, two of Xenophon’s younger siblings—Frankie and Jennie—died.
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Excerpt from undated Civil War letter by James X. McIlwain to his wife, asking her to “kiss Xenophon and Jennie for me” |
James was discharged on June 13, 1864 in Pittsburgh, roughly 35–40 miles from Apollo. He likely traveled home by Pennsylvania Railroad to a nearby stop such as Leechburg or Saltsburg, then completing the remaining distance by wagon or on foot. The trip would have taken a few hours to a day.
By June 23, 1870, the McIlwain family lived in the Kelly’s Station neighborhood of Apollo Borough. Eleven‑year‑old Xenophon was attending school. Two younger siblings—Harry (4) and Georgia Anna (2)—were at home. James, with a personal estate valued at $150, worked as a saddler, while Emma kept house. They lived four houses from Eunice Alvira (Smith) Jack, Xenophon’s half‑aunt.
On June 25, 1880, the family was still in Apollo. Twenty‑year‑old Xenophon worked as a plasterer. James continued as a saddle and harness maker, though unemployed for three months that year. Harry worked on a farm. Xenophon’s future wife lived only eight houses away. In 1881, he served as a mail messenger for the Apollo post office, earning $96 per year for transporting mail between postal points.
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Xenophon recorded on the 1880 census Soundex (card 1) |
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1880 census Soundex (card 2) |
James died on August 4, 1883 in Apollo at age 52. The family purchased Lot 112, Section A in Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery for his burial.
Xenophon and Josephine Juliette Henry applied for a marriage license on October 29, 1885. He was 26, living in Kiskiminetas Township and working as a plasterer; she was 27, the daughter of William Henry and Juliet Day Garvin, and living in Apollo. They married the same day at the First Presbyterian Church in Kittanning, with Rev. Henry L. Mayers officiating and Mrs. Lewis Phillips and Eliza Phillips Mayers as witnesses.
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Marriage application and license |
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First Presbyterian Church register, Kittanning, Pennsylvania |
They had seven children: Erma Ruth, James H. B., Walter F., Hugh Owens, and Jesse Bryan McIlwain, with two additional unknown children. In January 1889, Xenophon—then living in Kiski Township—borrowed $400 from the Apollo Mutual Building & Loan Association, a loan later fully repaid.
Two sons died young: Walter in 1890 at two and a half months, and James in 1893 at age six. Both were buried in Apollo Cemetery.
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McIlwain family (ca. 1898)—Front row: Harry, their mother Emmaline, and Xenophon. Back row: Charles, Margaret, John, Georgia Anna, and Lawrence |
By June 27, 1900, the family lived in Kittanning, where Xenophon continued plastering. Josephine was recorded as the mother of seven children, three living. Their daughter Erma was the only child in school. All three could read and write, and Xenophon owned his home. Around 1903, Erma married Thomas Murray Young, eventually giving Xenophon eight grandchildren.
On April 16, 1910, the family lived at Opalco and Kittanning Road in Kiskiminetas Township. Xenophon was still plastering, though unemployed for three months. Only Hugh (18) and Jesse (16) remained at home; Hugh worked as a chauffeur for a private family. Josephine had neither had nor lost additional children since 1900.
Hugh married Mary Helen McGeary on December 21, 1912 in Cramer, Indiana County, giving Xenophon three grandchildren. Jesse married Mary Elma Stitt on April 5, 1917 in Wellsburg, West Virginia, giving Xenophon seven grandchildren, including John Frederick, who died at five months in January 1924.
When Jesse registered for the World War I draft in June 1918, he listed Xenophon as his nearest relative.
Xenophon’s sister Margaret died on February 14, 1919 in Kiskiminetas from broncho‑pneumonia following influenza. She was buried at Apollo Cemetery on February 16.
Xenophon does not appear in the 1920 census, though Josephine was enumerated in Apollo with their son Hugh. She was listed as “married.”
His mother Emma died on January 5, 1920 from debility following a 1913 femur fracture and a December 1919 hip injury. She was living with daughter Georgia Anna at the time and was buried at Apollo Cemetery on January 7.
On March 10, 1920, Xenophon appeared before a Justice of the Peace as a sworn witness in the burial application for Civil War veteran Eden Eakman. Along with A. F. Young, he affirmed that he was of full age, lived in North Apollo, and believed the facts in the burial statement to be true.
Josephine died on June 4, 1922 and was buried at Apollo Cemetery. Xenophon survived her by six years. On May 28, 1928, he fell from a scaffold while working and died the next day, May 29, 1928, at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington from shock and injuries sustained in the fall. The coroner ruled the death accidental. He was buried beside Josephine at Apollo Cemetery on June 1.
Xenophon was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Apollo.
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Photo by Janet (McIlwain) Larocco |
References
- Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Burial Records 1885–1914, image 328, FamilySearch.
- Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Mortgages 1805–1943, image 134, FamilySearch.
- Charles Kettering McIlwain, Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947.
- Compendium of James X. McIlwain Civil War letters, compiled by Janet (McIlwain) Larocco.
- Emmaline McIlwain, Application for Burial of Indigent Widow of Deceased Soldier or Sailor.
- First Presbyterian Church, Apollo, Pennsylvania, Deaths, Baptisms, Births, Marriages, 1857–1904.
- Hugh O. McIlwain, Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852–1968.
- James Lawrence McIlwain, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
- James X. McIlwain, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861–1865.
- Jesse Bryan McIlwain, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
- Jesse McIlwain, West Virginia, U.S., Marriages Index, 1785–1971.
- Letter written by Emmaline McIlwain to her husband James, May 14, 1865.
- Letter written by Jas. X. McIlwain to his wife Emma, undated.
- Letter written by Jim X. McIlwain to his wife Emma from Camp at Harrisons Landing, July 24, 1862.
- Margaret Chambers McKinstry, Certificate of Death no. 18584, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- McIlwain tombstone, Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery, Apollo, Pennsylvania.
- Mrs. Emma McIlwain, Certificate of Death no. 3584, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- Naomi Ruth Young, Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906–1908.
- Personal visit to Apollo (Riverview) Cemetery, Apollo, Pennsylvania.
- Thomas, Augusta Dillman, The Bowmans: A History of Hans Dieterick Bauman and His Descendents, p. 62.
- U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1870, 1880.
- U.S. Federal Census, Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1910, 1920, 1930.
- U.S. Federal Census, Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1900.
- U.S. Federal Census, North Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1940.
- U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970.
- X. W. McElwain and Hugh O. McIlwain, Pennsylvania, U.S., Marriages, 1852–1968.
- X. W. McElwain and X. N. McIlwain U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701–1970.
- X. W. McIlwain, U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863–1959.
- Xenophon W. McIwain [sic], Certificate of Death no. 53929, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
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