Carroll County was created in 1832 and named after Charles Carroll who died that same year. Charles Carroll was a representative of Maryland and signed the Declaration of Independence as did his father, who was also named Charles Carroll. When the son signed his name to the famous document, he wrote Charles Carroll of Carrollton, which was of course his family home in Maryland. So when the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence died at the age of 95, it was a big deal across the country. Eleven counties were named after Charles Carroll, many towns and even two parishes in Louisiana in honor of this man.
At the time, Carrollton, Ohio was called Centerville which was the original name given in 1815. That name was chosen because the little village was about halfway between Steubenville and Canton. So, when it was decided to form a new county, it was called Carroll and the county seat was going to be Centreville, the residents of Centerville decided to rename their town Carrollton.
After the attack on Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to defend the Union. Sixty-three year old Dan Carroll was one of the first to volunteer. Every one of of his 8 sons also signed up, even his 2 youngest sons. All told, there would be 14 McCooks (the 5 sons of Dr. John McCook of Steubenville) serving the Union during the Civil War. Seven of the men became generals, six others became officers, only 17 year old Charles McCook did not become an officer. No other family had such a military record.
Today the McCook house in Carrollton is a state museum and open to the public. The elder McCook, Daniel, built the house in the 1830s. When he built it, part of the house was used as a warehouse for his business.
Daniel's wife, Martha McCook, would receive word that her husband had 4 of her sons had been killed.
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