Born March 8, 1819, in Indiana County, Pa., and is the son of George and Nancy (Ewert) McGavren. He lived in Pottawattamie County, from 1854 to 1858, and was in partnership in the practice of medicine with his brother Dr. Robert McGavren for thirteen years and in 1868 removed to Missouri Valley, where he continued to practice. Our subject was first married in October, 1859 to Lucinda Fauchnaut. She died December 23, 1861. His second marriage occurred in July, 1862, when he was united to Rosilla Terwilliger, a native of Clarion County, Pa. Dr. McGavren was elected as a member of the Iowa Legislature in 1869; serving one term. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Missouri Valley, and is a Republican of the deepest dye. He was at one time a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.