Samuel Albert McClanahan Photograph courtesy of Joseph Bradford Donnell
Samuel Albert McClanahan (1846-1905)	Sarah Margaret Zercher (1851-1919)

Sarah Margaret's parents were Jacob Zercher (1817-1883) and Catherine Ebrite (1819-1909).

Samuel Albert McClanahan was a Veteran of the Civil War. He served in the 141st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, in the Army of West Virginia. Samuel enlisted on May 2, 1864, and was mustered in on May 14, 1864 at the age of 18 at Manchester, Ohio. He was described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall, brown eyes, dark hair, occupation farmer. He was sworn in by Capt. George S. Kirker, with a term of 100 days.

He mustered out with his company on September 3, 1864 at Gallipolis, Ohio Serving with Samuel in Company I were John L. Baldridge, John W. Ebrite, James M. Ebrite, Andrew Ebrite, and William Zercher.

McClanahan Family Portrait ca. 1890 | Google Map of Samuel A. McClanahan farm and Kirker Cemetery

The People's Defender
West Union, Ohio
Thursday, August 10, 1905
Page 1

SWIFTLY

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Fleets The Arrow of Death

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Falling  One  of  Adams County's Best Known Citizens

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Samuel A. McClanahan a Victim of Apoplexy Tuesday Morning

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The  End  Came  Peacefully  at  his Home, Surrounded by His Loved Ones

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The announcement of the death of Samuel A. McClanahan at six o'clock Tuesday morning was appalling news to the entire community, and particularly the people of West Union with whom he had been associated but a few hours before, apparently in manhood's full strength and vigor. But the end came unannounced and quickly. Monday afternoon, Mr. McClanahan, who lives three miles south-west of here on the Manchester Pike, spent the afternoon in town and attended a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Wilson Children's Home, of which he was a member, leaving here as late as six o'clock in the afternoon for his home in his usual good humor and happy frame of mind.

He retired in his usual health but at 3 o'clock Tuesday morning he aroused the members of his family with the complaint that he was not feeling well. His family insisted on sending for a physician, but he protested, saying that he would soon be better, and in a short time he did get easier, and it was thought that he would soon be all right.

Two hours later, however, at about 5 o'clock, he was again seized with a recurrence of his former illness and Dr. Coleman was hastily summoned, but the power of human aid had passed, and in five minutes after the arrival of the physician Mr. McClanahan died a victim of apoplexy.

At intervals for several years back, he had complained to his physician _____ ____ symptoms that affected him and he was warned to be careful of his condition as they presaged apoplexy, but with all the care he could exercise the fateful cup could not be passed.

Samuel A. McClanahan was born near Liberty chapel in Liberty township June 27, 1846. He was a member of a pioneer family of Adams county, being the son of the late James McClanahan. Practically his whole life has been spent in the township of his nativity.

House built by Samuel Albert McClanahan West Union, Ohio Photo taken September 28, 1995

He enlisted in the Civil War as a private in the 141st regiment O. V. I. and served in the Army of West Virginia, receiving his discharge in 1864. He was married to Miss Sarah M. Zercher October 6, 1870, eight children resulting from this union, six of whom survive as follows: J. Frank, Albert E., Robert P., John B., Ralph H., and Margaret May.

For many years the deceased affiliated with the United Presbyterian church at this place until the congregation disbanded, since which time he has affiliated with the Presbyterian church, being an elder of the church at the time of his death. He was also a member of John W. McFerren Post G. A. R.

Many times political honors had been extended to him by the Republicans, with which party he affiliated, but he as many times refused.

The funeral services were conducted at his residence at 10 o'clock this morning, conducted by Rev. H. A. Kelsey of the United Presbyterian church. His remains were laid to rest in the Kirker cemetery in Liberty township.

E1 Laura Elsie McClanahan, born August 7, 1871, died April 19, 1893.

E2 James Franklin McClanahan, born March 22, 1874, died May 20, 1952 in Brookville, Indiana; married September 4, 1895 Virgie Lee McMillen, born March 19, 1878, died January 4, 1919.

E3 Albert Elmer McClanahan, born November 1, 1877, died March 8, 1910.

E4 Robert Presley McClanahan, born June 19, 1881, died January 29, 1955 in West Union, Ohio; married September 6, 1905 Jennie Mae Kincaid, born April 20, 1884, died November 26, 1958.

E5 Nora Helen McClanahan, born April 18, 1884, died October 2, 1885.

E6 John Baldridge McClanahan, born March 30, 1887, died January 20, 1978; married September 21, 1910 Ethel Cloe Robe, born June 11, 1889, died March 6, 1973 at West Union, Ohio. No children. Ethel was the daughter of Theodore M. Robe and Lida Graham Weeks.

E7 Ralph Homer McClanahan, born May 30, 1889, died December 13, 1937; married January 5, 1910 Lucy Belle Reid, born May 29, 1890, died March 18, 1990. Lucy was the daughter of James G. Reid and Martha A. McClughen.

E8 Margaret Mae McClanahan, born June 8, 1895, died November 27, 1918; married June 7, 1916 Robert Oscar Black, born August 7, 1894, died February 5, 1970. Robert was the son of Hamlet Black and Jennie Sproull.