Biographical Sketch of

John Megran

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 488 - 491

John Megran, a pioneer of Berlin, was born near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, March 11, 1818, and is a son of 
Thomas and Mary (McBroom) Megran.  He acquired an academic education in his native land, and when eighteen years 
of age began teaching, which profession he followed in Ireland for twelve years.  On the 3d of March, 1840, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Huston, daughter of John and Sarah (Corey) Huston.  She was born in the 
Parish of Temple Patrick, which adjoins the Parish of Killead, where her husband was born.  The family circle was 
completed by the birth of seven children, two sons and five daughters, four of whom were born on the Emerald Isle: 
Jane, wife of James A. Biggert, of Berlin, died in 1884; John, who married Maria McNish, daughter of Dr. James 
McNish, of Berlin, served his country as Captain of Company B, 46th Wisconsin Regiment, was School Superintendent 
of Portage County, and died at the age of twenty-seven years; Letitia resides at home; Sarah, widow of James McNish, 
is living in Berlin; Elizabeth and Margaret were twins, and the former is now the wife if DeWitt C. Palmeter, of 
Chicago, but the latter died at the age of twenty-four years;  Hugh H. married Miss Alice Brown, and is engaged in 
the grocery business in Harvard, Ill.

In 1849, Mr. Megran left his old home across the water, and with his family emigrated to America, settling near 
Carlton, Ohio, but after a year he came to Berlin, where he has since resided.  He first engaged in the lumber 
business, but is now living a retired life.  He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Green 
Lake County, and has participated in the upbuilding of Berlin since the days of its early infancy.  He has been a 
member of the Masonic fraternity since 1840, having joined that organization in Ireland.  He has taken many degrees, 
and is a charter member of the Berlin Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M., being the only one left of the original seven 
members.  The Lodge was organized in 1851, and for thirty-four years he has been its Secretary, covering the entire 
time of its existence, with the exception of four years.  Mr. Megran has also served his city for four years as 
Treasurer, from 1875 until 1878, inclusive.  In politics he supports the Democratic party.  He was reared in the 
faith of the Presbyterian Church, but is not now identified with any religious body.  He was a member of the first 
School Board of Berlin, and has since served in that capacity several times.  Mrs. Megran died on the 6th of June, 
1889.  It is with pleasure that we present the readers of this Album, the sketch of Mr. Megran, for he is numbered 
among the early settlers of the county, and has been accounted one of its leading citizens since 1850.






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