Edward McCann spent the first two years of his life in the city of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Boone county, Iowa, in 1861. In the following year the family returned to Linn county where they remained until 1865, when they came to Greenfield township, locating on what is now known as the McCann homestead, owned by Michael McCann, a brother of our Subject. On this farm Mr. McCann spent the years of his boyhood and youth, attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education, while he devoted the periods of vacation to the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He continued to reside upon the old homestead until 1882, in which year he went to Sac county, Iowa, but after three years returned to the old homestead in Greenfield-county, where be remained until 1887. He then removed to section 20, Greenfield township, where he had purchased the farm which is now his home and upon which he has resided continuously since with the exception of four years spent in Martelle. The farm, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres, is a well kept place, indicating in its appearance the progressive and up to date methods of its owner, who has made a close study of agriculture and knows the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the proper care of same.

On the 31st Of May, 1888 Mr. McCann was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Kerwin, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Dawling) Kerwin, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. McCann, who was born in 1863, is the eldest in a family of six children, the other members being: John, who resides near the old homestead in Cedar county; Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years; Annie, who passed away when five years old; Richard, who makes his home with his mother on the old homestead in Cedar county; and Lizzie, also still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kerwin, as also did the parents of Mr. McCann, came to this county empty-handed, but through industry, thrift and perseverance, have secured a substantial home of their own. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCann has been blessed with two children: Lucian H., aged eighteen years; and Willard I,., aged thirteen years. Both have attended the public schools of Greenfield township and Martelle, while the elder son has pursued a course in music and voice culture, in which he shows considerable ability and in which he has made rapid progress. The family belong to the Catholic church at Lisbon, Iowa, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives.

The parents are both members of the Mystic Toilers, No. 138, Of Martelle, while Mr. McCann gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He was trustee of Greenfield township for six years, was treasurer and member of the board for eighteen years, and during his four years' residence in Martelle served as a member of the town council. The success which Mr. McCann today enjoys is not due to his own industry and energy entirely, but also to a great extent to the thrift and careful management of his esteemed wife. They are people of high standing in the community in which they reside, are sociable and hospitable to an eminent degree and by their many excellent traits of character have gained the respect and high regard of an extensive circle of warm friends.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 271.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 563.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 564.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 587.

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.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 629.

Reared in Greenfield township, John Clinton McConaughy early became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Even through his school period he participated in the work of the home farm, and when he embarked upon his own career as a tiller of the soil he was fully versed in means and methods of obtaining the best returns from his efforts. He has not been content, however, to follow the methods of the past alone, but as the times have advanced be has progressed, and modern buildings, up-to-date machinery and scientific agriculture have been accountable for his success. The homestead consists of two hundred and ninety-five acres, and the excellent condition of its fields bespeaks the good farming of the man who is concerned for its productiveness.

On the 22d of September 1903, Mr. McConaughy wedded Miss Cleo V. Murfield, who was born in Greenfield township, March 2, 1884. Her father, C. W. Murfield, is one of the most prominent farmers of Jones county. He was born January 1, 1851, and on the 22d of February 1874, he married Miss Passy Newman, whose birth occurred December 3I, 1854. Ten daughters were born of this union: Ada Grace, Millie Malvina, and Lulu Elizabeth, all three deceased; Mrs. Amy Abigail Holcomb, of Greenfield township; Tracy Delia, deceased; Cleo V., Mrs. McConaughy; Mrs. Bessie Beulah Zimmerman, of Greenfield; Mrs. Ola Florence Dumont, of Greenfield; Elva, deceased; and Avenel, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McConaughy have one daughter, Tracy Geneva, who was born August 20, 1904. In their religious views both husband and wife incline towards the church of Christ and guide their lives by its teachings. Politically Mr. McConaughy is a democrat, but has taken no part in local affairs. He has, however, been appointed treasurer of the Cherry Grove independent school district and as another proof of the position he holds in the minds of the citizens of this township was made treasurer of the Cherry Grove Telephone Company. In White Rose Lodge, NO. 279, K.P., of Martelle, Iowa, he has made many sincere friends, for he has ever been found loyal and upright, and willing to assist others in the time of need.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 626.