Blanche Furnace

Lawrence County, Ohio
Built: 1875
By: ETNA IRON WORKS
Researched by Sharon M. Kouns

Blanche Furnace – Upper Tp. – Lawrence County, Ohio, was built in 1875 by the Etna Iron Works. Alice Furnace was named the daughter of George Willard. Blanche Furnace was named for Blanche McGovney, who later married Charles S. Gray, son of Col. George Noah Gray.

In the Spring of 1873, the company erected on the river bank, just above the city of Ironton, two hot blast coke furnaces, the “Alice” and the “Blanche.”  These furnaces are what is known as the Ferrie Patent Self-Coking Furnace. 

Blanche McGovney became the bride of Charles S. Gray, son of Col. Geo. N. Gray. Charles died shortly after their marriage while serving his country in the Spanish American War of camp fever. His father bought the old W. D. Kelly homestead and donated it to the city for a hospital, calling it the Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital.