was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1787. He was brought up, from early boyhood, to the business of a merchant. In the year 1811, he removed from Mercersburg, in his native State--where he had been engaged in business--to Franklinton, bringing with him a small stock of goods, with which he opened a store. Here he continued prosperously for about five years, when he sought a larger field for his increasing business, in the new town of Columbus. During a period of forty years he followed the same occupation in this city, accumulating a handsome property. He died, january 16, 1856, in the seventieth year of his age, respected by all classes in the community, as an active, useful, and public-spirited citizen. He succeeded Mr. Buttles as president of the City bank of Columbus, an office which he held at the time of his death. He was the uncle and foster-father of

who died in Columbus on the thirtieth of October, 1879, aged about sixty-eight. He (William) was born in Butler county, in this State, where his mother died in his early childhood. A few years later, his father, having removed to Portsmouth, died there, leaving William to the care of the boy's uncle (and his own brother), in this city. This was in 1818. Though but seven years old, William was taken at once into his uncle's store, at the corner of State and High streets. He received a good, substantial business education, partly in the school-room and partly behind the counter; and, on arriving at his majority, in 1832, he was taken in as a partner in the business. Ten years after this the uncle retired from active participation in the business, although he still maintained a pecuniary interest in it. Colonel James C. McCoy, son of another brother of Robert, was taken into the concern, and the firm name was changed to that of W. A. McCoy & Co. This arrangement continued till the death of the uncle, as above stated, in 1856, when the business was closed up and the goods sold at auction.

Colonel James C. McCoy joined the army for the suppression of the Rebellion, and was a member of General Sherman's staff when he died in Washington, June 1874. His remains were brought to this city, and were buried from Trinity church, with military honors, General Sherman and staff attending the funeral.

When the partnership was dissolved by the death of the uncle, William A. McCoy was made trustee of the estate, and allowed ten years for settling up the business. Having accomplished this work to the satisfaction of all concerned, he spent the remainder of his life in comparative leisure, occupying himself only with his books and papers, and the safe investment of the handsome moneyed capital which an honorable and prosperous business career had enabled him to accumulate.