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Herbin S. McConaughy
Born March 25, 1866 |
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One of the successful farmers of Greenfield township, who has been deeply interested in promoting the advancement of the community, is Herbin S. McConaughy. A native of this township, he was born March 25, 1866, and is a son of Ard D. and Minerva (Ernsbarger) McConaugby. The father was born June 29, 1837, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, but passed the greater part of his youth in the state of Ohio. He came to Iowa in March 1856, and in Greenfield township married the woman who was to share his life with him. She was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June 12, 1842, came to Iowa in 1848, and is still living in Martelle. Mr. McConaughy, however, has passed away, his death having occurred October 18, 1905. Six children were born to the couple: Francis, who died at the age of eighteen months; Herbin S., the subject of this sketch; George Willis, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Earl, who lives in Greenfield township; John C., also a farmer of the same township; and Archie D., who died at the age of six months.
Herbin S. McConaughy was reared on a farm and attended the district schools, where he received a fair education to prepare him for his life's work, but the more effective training for his vocation was received from his father, who having had the experience of a lifetime was able to save the younger from many of his mistakes. Though he made the most of this instruction, Mr. McConaughy has not failed to profit by the advances that have been made in agricultural methods in the course of years. His farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on section 3, in the northeast quarter of Greenfield township, is under a fine state of cultivation. Its buildings, always kept in good repair, give evidence of the thrift of their owner, and the general appearance of the fields bespeak his skill in husbandry.
On the 28th of September 1892, Mr. McConaughy and Miss Jennie M. Armstrong were united in marriage. James H. Armstrong, Mrs. McConaughy's father, was born in the state of New York, April 13, 1841, and came to Jones county in the year 1852. He married Miss Ann E. Brady, and their union was blessed with seven children, four daughters and three sons: Jennie, who married Herbin McConaughy of this sketch; John S., residing in Greenfield township; Eugene D., also of that township; Mrs. Mary E. Peet; Mrs. Everly Brown; Carl, of Greenfield township; and Cora G., who died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Armstrong died August 23, 1906, but his widow is still living in Martelle. For five years Mrs. McConaughy was one of the successful teachers of Jones county and still retains her interest in the schools here. Her experience is of great assistance to her husband, who is secretary of the board of education of Cherry Grove and is active in increasing the efficiency of the local institutions of instruction.
A democrat in his political views, Mr. McConaughy is not what might be called a politician in the sense of seeking office, and yet he is sincerely interested in all measures that have as their aim the advancement of the community and for a period of four years has discharged the duties of clerk of Greenfield township to the satisfaction of the citizens who supported him. He is a member of the White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K.P., of Martelle, and has held all the offices in the order. With his wife he belongs to the church of Christ, and in accordance with its teachings orders his daily life. Upright and progressive in his ideas, he richly deserves the success with which his efforts have been attended, and the respect his life has inspired in the minds of his fellow citizens.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 629. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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