Henry Francis McGovney
Henry Francis McGovney was. for twenty years, a prominent character and moving spirit in the fierce political contests for which Adams County is conspicuously notorious. He was a Democrat of the Jackson school. He believed in the principles and party doctrines as laid down and exemplified by that saint of Democracy, and by his works he proved his faith. The death of Henry F. McGovney lost to the Democracy of Adams County a faithful adherent and one of its safest counsellors. He served his party as a soldier in the rank and file as faithfully as when a leader of its hosts. He gave to it, in financial support, more than he ever received from it. His party adherence sprang from love of principle, not from hope of gain. His party elected him Sheriff of Adams County in 1879, and again in 1882. In 1891, he received the nomination for the office of County Treasurer, but was defeated with others on the ticket through the efforts of the Populists, a political organization which drew largely from the Democratic party in Adams County. In 1893, he was endorsed by Senator Calvin S. Brice for the United States Marshalship for the Southern District of Ohio, but through the efforts of Ex. Gov. James F. Campbell chiefly, it is said, between whom and leaders of Democracy in Adams County there existed great political animosity, President Cleveland was persuaded to ignore Senator Brice's recommendation, and he appointed another instead.
Henry F. McGovney was above the average in stature, of good personal appearance, had an open, pleasing countenance, and was social and kind in his intercourse with friends and acquaintances.
Quiet and unobtrusive in his relations with men, yet he had courage when aroused such as made him no mean antagonist. An only son, reared to years beyond man's estate under the guidance of a loving but judicious father, surrounded with the comforts, but free from the foibles of life, he began his career as farmer, merchant, and politician, evenly poised and well equipped for the work which afterwards distinguished him in those respective spheres. He was the son of Scott McGovney and Hannah Fear, and was born and reared on the old homestead on Brush Creek in Jefferson Township, near the Osman bridge. He received the rudiments of an English education in the county schools of that vicinity.
In his twenty-seventh year, he married Sophia Phillips, a daughter of Henry Phillips, at the time one of the largest landholders in Adams County. She died in October, 1896, and her loss saddened the remainder of his life. He had no children. He was prominent in Masonic circles and had served as Master of West Union Lodge, F & A. M., and was at the time of his death a member of Calvary Commandery, at Portsmouth, Ohio.
On Thursday, December 1, 1898, he died at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, from the effects of an operation performed there for cancer of the stomach. His remains were brought to his home in
West Union and interred in the new Old Fellows Cemetery. He was in his forty-eighth year at the time of his death, having been born February 10, 1850.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900