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McGonigle, Charles 1836-1895

MCGONIGLE, MCDONALD, BARNES, SHANNON, ENGBERT, EGBERT, BINGHAM, SEYMOUR

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/21/2009 at 21:10:52

Hon. Charles McGonigle
The Monona, Iowa, Leader of inst. week contained the following biography of the late Charles McGonigle, father of Mrs. Ed. S. Shannon, of this city:

Again we are called upon to chronicle the death of one of Monona's early settlers, and one of her most respected citizens. On Tuesday, the 12th, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Paul Engbert, at 4 o'clock p.m., Charles Lindsey McGonigle closed the Book of Life. Born in Juanitta county, Pennsylvania, on the 11the day of February, 1836, he died the day following his 50th birthday. He was a son of Bartimeus and Catherine (McDonald) McGonigle. In 1839 the family moved to Linn county, this state, locating on a farm near Center Point, being among the pioneers of that place. In 1847 the family came to Clayton county and located in this township, entering land bordering on the village, for years one of the prize farms in this vicinity.

In 1853 the elder McGonigle went to California where he engaged in mining, and where he died, leaving the mother and five children, Charles L., Clarmanda C. (Mrs. Paul Egbert), John H., William A., and Amanda M. (Mrs. A.C. Bingham). The mother died at Waterloo Dec. 22, 1886. Her remains were brought to Monona and are at rest in the Monona cemetery. Charles was reared on the farm, receiving a liberal education. For a number of years he tought school, in which he proved a successful educator of the young mind; the thorough training he had received up to the time of attaining his majority, having served him to a great advantage. Alternately on the farm and in the school room, his young manhood was nurtured in lines that were profitable to body and mind.

In June 1864, Mr. McGonigle was married to Helen Barnes, daughter of Isaac and Harriet (Churchill) Barnes, and sister of James Barnes of this place. To this union was born Ellie L. (Mrs. Ed. S. Shannon residing at Hawarden, Ia.) McB., the present Deputy Clerk of the courts of this county; Liddie C. (Mrs. W.I. Seymour, residing at Omaha, Neb.). One child preceded the father to the unknown land, Bart C. who died in 1867.

Gifted with a stong constitution and a will-power that braved every storm, McGonigle, for the last few years has battled with an affection of the blood that has zealously clung to him, and on two previous spells of sickness brought him near to death's door, yet, through which he passed, not though without leaving a visible effect of the feraful seiges of sickness he had undergone, only to again grapple with another and stronger effort for the preservation of life. But alas, medical skill, coupled with the most scientific treatment, could not allay the determination of the destroyer, and the once strong constitution and that indomitable will that had served him so well in the past, slowly, but surely, gave way and ere the sun set on Tuesday, surrounded by a loving wife, a dutiful son and loving brothers' and sisters, he closed his eyes in the everlasting sleep.

Since his residence in Monona, Mr. McGonigle has filled local places of public trust. He was assessor for the township for about ten years, Clerk of the School Board for several years, Postmaster during Cleveland's first term, County Recorder for two terms, and a member of the house of representatives for the 25th general assembly, having been elected for two years at the general election in 1893. In all these places he was a faithful, dilligent officer and servied the public honorably, [illegible] to himself and the people. In 1867 in complany with Silas Egbert he engaged in the mercantile business, a partnership which was concluded on Mr. McGonigle's election to the office of County Recorder. For a number of years he managed his farm near town retiring therefrom in 1893, and later he disposed of a considerable portion of the land and the homestead, around which cluster so many memories in the chain of family events.

Politically Mr. McGonigle was a democrat, cradled in the old time democracy. A staunch unswerving supporter of the party through every stage of its career. He was active in local political circles, a worker who led rather than followed, who was never [illegible] by intricate political problems; one who entered a political contest never doubting a final triumph. Believing his cause to be just he relied upon an understanding with the people to accomplish the results he was at all times anxious should prevail.

"A gentle boy with thoughtful mein;
Years fled, he wore a manly face,
And struggled in the world's rough race,
And won at last a lofty place."

A commanding figure, his appearance indicated stability of character, a firm self-reliance, a will that forced the object of his ambition. And he was gentle and kind, truly manly in his deportment, a gentleman whose genial good qualities won him friends in the everyday walks of life. His domestic life was a happy social character; the home was a paradise, and on every occasion he lent good cheer and merriment to the family circle. To say this, is not to say that he was not without fault. Every man walketh under the rays of a bright sunshine and beneath heavy hanging clouds.

"Life, we've been long together
Through pleasant and though cloudy weather,
'Tis hard to part when friends are dear,
Perhaps it will cost a sigh, a tear."

The wife, son, daughter, and the brothers and sisters will mourn the loss of a faithful and honored husband and father, and a brother whose companionship was affectionate under any circumstances. The sympathy of the community is with the bereaved family.

~Hawarden Independent, Feb 28, 1895
~Note: surnames Engbert & Egbert were transcribed as they appear in the original. He is buried in the Monona City cemetery. See also the 1900 obit of his wife Helen (Barnes) McGonigle.


 

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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