John McConeky (1855-1949)

MCCONEKY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/16/2022 at 20:33:39

John McConeky
(May 15, 1855 - 1949)

John McConeky is well known as a farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Township, his thorough understanding of his business, his laudable ambition and his industry enabling him to carry forward his work in a manner resulting in the acquirement of a comfortable competence. He was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, May 15. 1855, and is a son of Aleck and Kate (McDonald) McConeky, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Emigrating to the new world the father became identified with agricultural pursuits in Illinois but died in middle life, being killed in a tornado when the subject of this review was only about five years of age. The widow afterward became the wife of John Gibbons, also a native of Ireland, and her death occurred March 16, 1890. Mr. McConeky of this review has one sister, Mrs. Mary Briggs, of Manson, Iowa, and has two half-sisters and three half-brothers, born of his mother's second marriage. These are Frank, Phillip and Willis Gibbons, Mrs. Frank Harrington, and Mrs. James H. Polan.
The common schools of De Kalb County afforded to John McConeky his educational privileges, his attention being given to the duties of the schoolroom through the winter seasons when his aid was not needed in the fields upon the home farm. He put aside his text books at the age of seventeen and after that gave his entire attention to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. Subsequently he rented land and began farming on his own account. Like most young men who start out in life for themselves, he sought a companion and helpmate, and in Illinois was married, on the 31st of January, 1889, to Miss Mary Marrin, who was born in De Kalb County, on the 17th of December, 1867, her parents being Dominick and Bridget (Keleher) Marrin, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but their marriage was celebrated in Clinton, Iowa. Subsequently they became residents of Illinois and are still residing upon a farm in that state. Their children were Mrs. McConeky; Ellen, the wife of Mike O'Donald, of Illinois; Mrs. Dan McCormick, of De Kalb County; Mrs. Will JlcCormick, of the same county; Alice, Catherine and Eliza, all at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McConeky have been born three children; Ellen, born December 8, 1891; Florence, born May 2,
1896; and Evelvn M., born September 17, 1897. Soon after his marriage Mr. McConeky came to Calhoun County, having previously purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Lincoln township. Upon this farm he has since made his home. Most of the land had teen broken when he took up his abode there; but poor improvements had been made and with determined purpose and resolute will he set to work to transform his farm into a desirable property. He erected a commodious residence in 1900, it being one of the tasteful and attractive homes of the township. In July, 1901, he built a
large barn and has other necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He raises graded stock, having some fine animals upon his place. In this branch of business he is very successful for he thoroughly understands the best methods of caring for the cattle, hogs and. sheep. He gives the closest attention to this business and his unfaltering determination has formed the foundation of his now desirable prosperity. In politics he is a Democrat
and in religious faith is a Catholic. His worth in all life's relations is widely recognized and his business career is one well worthy of emulation, for it proves what can be accomplished by energy and unflagging perseverance. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.335]