BIOGRAPHY: Richard Milton McCOY, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 456-457.

  RICHARD MILTON MCCOY, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in Duncannon, 
Perry county, Pa., March 7, 1859.  He is a son of David and Mary J. (Gray) 
McCoy, both of Scotch-Irish lineage.  His paternal grandparents were David and 
Mary (Moore) McCoy, whose children were as follows:  William, of Duncannon, 
married Margaret Fitzpatrick, had six children;  Catherine, wife of Rev. John 
Kistler, of Cumberland county, had one son, Harry L.;  David, Jr., born February 
5, 1832;  Matthew;  Hackett;  and Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert Bothwell), of 
Duncannon.  The second member of this family, Mrs. Kistler, died in Africa, 
whither she had accompanied her husband, they being sent to that country under 
the auspices of the board of Missions of the Lutheran church.  Mrs. Kistler was 
an earnest and faithful worker, and bravely took her life in her hand, as every 
one must do who visits the "Dark Continent," that she might extend the kingdom 
of Christ;  but the malarious climate proved fatal to her;  she yielded her life 
for the cause to which she was so devoted, and her remains rest in the cemetery 
at Muhlenberg, in Africa.  Two of the sons, Matthew and Hackett, and one son-in-
law, Robert Bothwell, enlisted in the Union army during the Rebellion.  Matthew 
and Hackett McCoy both passed their youth and early manhood in Perry county;  
both enlisted near the beginning of the war;  the latter served until its close, 
returned home, and now resides in Huntingdon county, Pa.;  but the elder of the 
two, after serving faithfully almost to the end of the struggle, was lost sight 
of, and probably rests in one of the many unmarked graves that are found on both 
northern and southern soil.  Mr. Bothwell also served throughout the war;  he 
was wounded in one of the Bull Run engagements.  All three did their perilous 
duty with gallant fidelity.  Their father, the elder David McCoy, was a farmer;  
he was a worthy and useful citizen, and a respected member of the Presbyterian 
church, to which his wife also belonged.  He died in the prime of life, at about 
fifty years of age;  Mrs. McCoy survived him until 1882, when she died, aged 
seventy.
  David McCoy, Jr., was born at Petersburg, now Duncannon, Perry county, where 
he grew up and was educated in the public schools.  At the age of seventeen, he 
applied himself to learning carpentry.  After serving a full apprenticeship, he 
was employed as journeyman by the Pennsylvania Railroad company for several 
years.  He then entered the employ of the Duncannon Iron Company, and continued 
in that service, an honored and trusted member of their working force, for over 
forty years.  He was an excellent man, consistent and faithful in every relation 
of life.  His wife, Mary J. McCoy, was a daughter of Richard and Mary (Branyan) 
Gray, born July 5, 1833.  Their children are:  Harry, who married Tennie Dunkle;  
Richard Milton;  and Jones W., married Minnie Fasick, of Altoona, Pa.  Both Mr. 
And Mrs. McCoy were for more than forty years esteemed members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, at Duncannon, from which their separation by death was deeply 
regretted.  Mrs. McCoy died November 14, 1884;  her husband followed her on 
March 31, 1895.
  After receiving his education in the public schools, Richard M. McCoy 
continued to reside with his parents until he had passed his majority.  At the 
age of twenty-two, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as 
freight brakeman, and after serving in that capacity for about two years, was 
assigned to a clerkship in the railroad office, freight department, at 
Duncannon.  In this position he remained for six years, and was then promoted, 
in 1889, to be freight and passenger agent at Mapleton, Pa., but six months 
later, was transferred to his present responsible position, that of passenger 
agent at Lewistown Junction.  These promotions indicate very clearly the 
efficiency and devotion to duty which he has displayed in every position he has 
held.  Like his father and grandfather, Mr. McCoy is a Republican of decided 
convictions.  He is affiliated with Evergreen Lodge, No. 205, I. O. O. F., at 
Duncannon.
  Richard Milton McCoy was married June 15, 1886, to Carrie E., daughter of 
Samuel H. and Mary (Gross) Moses.  Their children are:  David Earl, born May 5, 
1887;  and Mary Alice, born October 4, 1896.  Mrs. McCoy is a member of the 
Lutheran church.