John McKay “Jno. McKay,”

John McKay, often abbreviated as “Jno. McKay,” was a prominent figure in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 19th century. He was notably involved in the maritime industry, particularly in the ownership and operation of Great Lakes vessels. In 1871, McKay became the owner of the schooner Wild Rover, a two-masted vessel built in 1855 by Eli Bates in Milan, Ohio. The Wild Rover was a significant ship of its time, measuring 117 feet 6 inches in length. Under McKay’s ownership, the schooner continued its operations until it was lost near Long Point on Lake Erie in 1874. 

McKay’s involvement in the shipping industry reflects the bustling maritime commerce of Cleveland during that era, where shipowners played crucial roles in the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes.