McArthur, Duncan, 1772-1839

Duncan McArthur was born in Dutchess County, New York, and grew up in western Pennsylvania before becoming one of the first settlers of Chillicothe, Ohio. McArthur served in the Ohio militia during the War of 1812 and was later appointed brigadier general in United States Army, was elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives, and was the eleventh Governor of Ohio (1830-1832). Thomas Worthington was born in Charles Town, Virginia, in 1773 before settling in Ohio and serving two terms as U.S. Senator (1803-1807, 1810-1814) and as sixth Governor of Ohio (1814-1818).

From the description of Duncan McArthur letter to Thomas Worthington, 1806 January 17. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 762830656

Surveyor, Ohio assemblyman and Governor, and U.S. representative.

From the description of Letter, 1813 Apr. 5. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42825670

From the description of Letter, 1809 Mar. 20. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42825673

Ohio General Assembly representative and state senator, and the 11th governor of Ohio (1830-1832).

From the description of Papers, 1799-1835 [microform]. (Ohio Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 38901034

Ohio governor and legislator, military officer, and U.S. Representative.

From the description of Papers of Duncan McArthur, 1783-1848. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449389

Duncan McArthur was born in Dutchess County, New York, and grew up in western Pennsylvania before becoming one of the first settlers of Chillicothe, Ohio. McArthur served in the Ohio militia during the War of 1812 and was later appointed brigadier general in United States Army, was elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives, and was the eleventh Governor of Ohio (1830-1832).

From the description of Duncan McArthur letter to George W. Jones, 1827 August 18. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 762830216

Duncan McArthur was born in Dutchess County, New York, and grew up in western Pennsylvania before becoming one of the first settlers of Chillicothe, Ohio. McArthur served in the Ohio militia during the War of 1812 and was later appointed brigadier general in United States Army, was elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives, and was the eleventh Governor of Ohio (1830-1832). Othniel Looker served in the New Jersey militia during the Revolutionary War and settled in Ohio after receiving a land grant for his wartime service. After serving in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate, Looker was appointed fifth Governor of Ohio (1814) to complete the term of Return J. Meigs, Jr.

From the description of Duncan McArthur letter to Othniel Looker, 1814 October 9. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 762830213

Son of John and Margaret (Campbell) McArthur, born in Dutchess Co., N.Y., January 14, 1772. In 1780 he removed to Pittsburgh; took part in Harmar's campaign of 1790; and from 1792-1793 was a salt-boiler near Maysville, Ky. He joined a surveying party under Nathaniel Massie, and served as a ranger during Indian raids. In February, 1796, he married Nancy McDonald and settled on a farm near Chillicothe. By 1804 he was considered the wealthiest land holder in the Scioto Valley. That year he was and in 1882 was elected to Congress. In 1830 became governor of Ohio, and died, April 28, 1839. (blue index cards)

From the description of Duncan McArthur papers, 1813-1818. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 367620180

Biographical Note

• 1772, Jan. 14: Born, Dutchess County, N.Y.
• 1780: Moved to Pittsburgh, Pa.
• 1790: Participated in Josiah Harmar’s campaign against the Shawnee Indians and other expeditions
• 1792 - 1793 : Worked as a salt-boiler near Maysville, Ky.
• 1793: Joined a party surveying under Nathaniel Massie from the Scioto River Valley to the area around Chillicothe, Ohio
• circa 1893 - 1895 : Observed the movement of Indians as a ranger
• 1795: Rejoined Nathaniel Massie and learned surveying
• 1796: Married Nancy McDonald and settled near Chillicothe, Ohio
• 1804: Elected to lower house, Ohio legislature
• 1805 - 1814 : Member, Ohio state senate, speaker for the 1809-1810 session
• 1806: Elected a colonel in the Ohio militia
• 1808: Promoted to major-general
• 1812: Marched with Ohio militia for Detroit and later was elected colonel of one of the three militia regiments under the command of William Hull
• 1813: Brigadier general, Ohio Volunteers in defense of Fort Meigs
• 1814: Commanded troops at Sacketts Harbor on Lake Ontario and later appointed commander of the army in the Northwest
• 1815 - 1816 : Member, lower house, Ohio state legislature
• 1816: Member of various commissions for treaty-making with the Indians
• 1817 - 1818 : Member, lower house, Ohio state legislature
• 1821 - 1823 : Member, upper house, Ohio state legislature
• 1823 - 1825 : Member, United States Congress
• 1829 - 1830 : Member, upper house, Ohio state legislature
• 1830 - 1832 : Governor of Ohio
• 1839, Apr. 28: Died at “Fruit Hill” near Chillicothe, Ohio

From the guide to the Duncan McArthur Papers, 1783-1848, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)