James Franklin McClanahan & Virgie Lee McMillen Photograph courtesy of Joseph Bradford Donnell

James Franklin McClanahan (1874-1952)

James & Virgie

Virgie Lee's parents were Spencer L. McMillen (1856-1912) and Frances Lewella Miller (1853-1944). James is buried in Village Cemetery, West Union, Ohio.

James Franklin McClanahan married (2) June 26, 1930, Lori E. Davidson in Maysville, Kentucky.

The People's Defender
West Union, Ohio
January 9, 1919

Virgie Lee McClanahan was born march 18, 1978, and at the time of her death her age was 40 years, 9 months and fifteen days. She was united in marriage on September 4, 1895 , to J. Frank McClanahan. She was a member of the West Union Baptist church since February 13, 1892, and led a consistent Christian life.

Mrs. McClanahan is survived by her husband and three children, Besse Marie, Albert Lynch and James Frank, one infant daughter, Jessie Lee, preceding her in death on January 24, 1898. She was also survived by her mother, Mrs. S. L. McMillen, three brothers and three sisters, as follows:

E. T. McMillen of Wheeling, W Va.; W. L. McMillen of Huntington, W. Va.; F. S. McMillen of Alliance, Ohio; Mrs. Allie Huffman, Fannie and Grace McMillen, of Newport, Ky, who with a host of friends are left to mourn their loss.

The funeral was held Friday afternoon at the Baptist church, the services being conducted by Rev. A. K. Murphy, of Rushtown, a former pastor of the church. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Children of James Franklin McClanahan and Virgie Lee McMillen:

F1 Jessie Lee McClanahan, born November 22, 1896, died January 24, 1898.

F2 Besse Marie McClanahan, born March 4, 1899, died June 6, 1995; married August 8, 1937 William J. Sproull, born February 8, 1891, died November 27, 1944. No children.

F3 Dr. Bert Lynch McClanahan, born September 6, 1913, died February 19, 2001; married November 5, 1940 Anne Elizabeth Preidis, born July 12, 1912 in Newark, New Jersey, died January 2, 1973.

F4 James Frank McClanahan, born January 15, 1915, died October 6, 2001; married December 26, 1953 Beulah Collins, born December 6, 1934.

Clockwise from left: James Frank, Besse Marie, & Bert Lynch McClanahan

"This is the car I hauled 4,000 people on the 4th of July 1914 in 9 hrs. & 45 min."
                                                         -- James Franklin McClanahan (foot on step)

James Franklin McClanahan	Tribute to the Spring of Water A poem by James Franklin McClanahan