ROBERT CAMPBELL McILVAIN was born November 1827, in Somerset Township, this county, a son of Greer McIlvain whose father was also named Greer. The grandfather was born in Lancaster county Penn., of English descent, and was there married to Elizabeth Morrow, a native of the same county. The young couple came to Washington county in an early day, accompanied by a brother, George McIlvain. On May 20, 1788, Greer secured 407 acres of land in Somerset township, which was surveyed to him February 11,1789, and afterward divided with his brother. Greer and Elizabeth McIlvain were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. Their children were Greer, John, Guyan, George, William, Andrew, Margaret, Mary, Ruth, Catherine, Elizabeth, Esther, Ann and Eleanor. Greer McIlvain was born October 11, 1793 on the home farm in Somerset township, and on November 20, 1817, was united in marriage with Jane Campbell, who bore him the following children: Eliza (widow of John Kerr, living in Butler county, Penn.); Martha (unmarried); Margaret (widow of Robert Clark, of McLean county, Ill.); Greer and Jane (twins) ( the latter being the widow of John Greenlee, of McLean county, Ill.); Robert C., and Mary (deceased). Mr. McIlvain followed farming, took an active interest in all progressive enterprises and was elected to several township offices by the Republican voters of his district. He died June 6, 1889, his wife on September 18,1871. Both were active members of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Mclvain was an elder from 1849 until his death. Robert C. McIlvain, son of Greer and Jane McIlvain, remained on the home farm during his boyhood, and after attending the common schools spent two terms at an academy in Monongahela City, Penn. On December 5, 1861, he married Sarah L. Sloan, who was born January 14, 1833, a daughter of James and Sarah Sloan, natives of this county. Rev. James Sloan was born September 16, l807, in this county, and was married to Sarah Lindsey, who bore him one child: Sarah L. (Mrs. McIlvain); James G., a physician of Monongahela City, and Martha A. (deceased), were children by his second wife, Margaret Gordon. Mr. Sloan was a Presbyterian minister, and preached about nineteen years at the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, 390 members being added to the original number during his ministry. He organized the first Presbyterian Church erected at Frankfort Springs, Beaver county, Penn., where be preached eight years. He was trustee of Jefferson College, Washington county, twenty years. Mr. Sloan died March 11, 1871, his wife having crossed the dark river in 1833. To Robert C. and Sarah L. McIlvain six children have been born as follows: Ella F. (wife of Rev. J. C. Mechlin, a missionary in Persia); William L. (a farmer of Somerset township, this county); Margaret I. (deceased); James G. (deceased); Gertrude E. and Elmer S. (residing on the home place). Mr. and Mrs. McIlvain reside on the well-cultivated farm consisting of 312 acres, which was his birth place. They have been members of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church for some time; he has served as a member of the Session and treasurer for fourteen years, still filling both offices. He votes with the Republican party, and is interested in all public issues of the day.

Text taken from page 1148 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Judy & Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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