McGonigle, Mac Barnes 1870-1924

MCGONIGLE, FARLEY, HANSON, BARNES

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/14/2017 at 19:18:43

Mac B. McGonigle, a member of The Chicago Bar Association, who died September 1, 1924, was born at Monona, Iowa, September 24, 1870.

Admitted to the bar October 4, 1905, he engaged in and followed the practice of his profession until the date of his death. It seems appropriate to refer to his early life so that those who knew him as a member of the Bar may more vividly remember some of the sterling qualities that characterized him as a man.

Born of parents of Scotch descent, who were among the pioneers that settled in Northeastern Iowa, he inherited a courageous character for which his parents were both loved and esteemed.

Mr. McGonigle graduated from the high school of his native town, and at the age of twenty-one was appointed Postmaster under the administration of President Cleveland, but before his appointment had expired he accepted a position as Deputy Clerk of the Courts of Clayton County, Iowa.

When he came to Chicago at the age of twenty-seven, he readily adapted himself to city life, which became easy for him because of the experience that he had gained in country towns where virtually every type of character is represented.

He cultivated all his life the habit of reading and thinking, and never hesitated to express his views or take a position upon any of the policies or affairs that affected humankind.

Shortly after arriving in Chicago in 1897, he became a clerk for Justice John C. Everett. Upon the adoption of the Municipal Court Act, Justice Everett formed with him a law partnership as Everett & McGonigle, which existed most harmoniously and successfully until the date of Mr. McGonigle's death.

On September 10, 1910, he was married to Mrs. Maude Farley Hanson, the daughter of another sturdy family of pioneer days in Iowa, and the boyhood sweetheart of his native country town. At his home with his wife and two daughters was where he was wont to spend almost every spare hour, and in his neighborhood community he became an active member of its principal civic and social associations.

He at one time was a candidate as a "free lance" for Judge of the Municipal Bench, receiving the endorsement of The Chicago Bar Association, which demonstrated the respect and esteem in which he was regarded by those with whom he associated in daily life.

His chief characteristic was directness, believing in and adapting to his daily work the axioum that "the shortest distance between two points is a direct line."

~The Chicago Bar Association Record, Vol. 8, June 1925 (Memorials section) pg 5-6 (included the photo)

Note: Illinois Death Index (ancestry) names his parents as Charles & Helen (Barnes) McGonigle. The Cook Co., IL Birth Certificate index names him as Mac Baines McGouigh

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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