Connelly, Charles H.

CONNELLY, KLINE, PERRIN, LOGAN, ADAMSON, BAKER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 18:22:08

Connelly, Charles H.

No longer than a half century ago the farmer of Jasper County was almost wholly independent of every other business. He raised practically all his food on his farm; his mother, wife or daughter made the greater part of his clothing and required very few things from outside sources. Even his boots and shoes were made at his own home from his own leather, some times by himself and sometimes by traveling shoemakers. The first settlers here were far from any large trading center and he had little time to spend on long journeys, the work required in developing his farm from the raw prairies being not only irksome but tedious, requiring close application. As time progressed, however, he was obliged to relinquish much of his labor to other artisans under a division of labor and a closer union of the various industries. Now his shoes are made at one factory, his shirt at another, his hat at another, his coat at another, and so on through his list of all he wears and even to a portion of what he eats. This is true in reference also to his farming implements, many of which were homemade. It is a fact in almost all communities today that the farmers, many of them, sell their hogs and buy their bacon, sell their cattle and buy their beef, sell their wheat and buy their flour, etc. Thus, while the farmer is not so independent, he has greater advantages. Such conditions, to some extent, at least were familiar to Charles H. Connelly, now one of the leading farmers of Independence Township, and they were not at all uncommon to his father, who was one of our early pioneers. He was born in Clyde, Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on May 6, 1869, and with the exception of a few months he has always resided in this County, having been reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. Twenty-two years ago he moved to Independence Township, where he has resided continuously to the present day, his life having been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and at present he is holding the responsible position of County bridge foreman, being employed by the board of supervisors, having charge of the bridge repairing and building of the northern district, and he is performing these important duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the board and to all concerned.

Mr. Connelly is the son of H. C. and Mary C. (Kline) Connelly, the father born in Fulton County, Illinois, and he was fourteen or fifteen years old when he came to Marshall County, Iowa, later coming to Jasper County. His death occurred in Independence Township, on October 9, 1902. His wife was born near Hagerstown, Maryland and was a small girl when she accompanied her parents to Iowa, the family locating in Clear Creek Township. Her death occurred in Independence Township, this County, on January 24, 1904. The father of the subject proved his loyalty to the Union during the Civil War by enlisting from Marshall County, in Company K, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in August 1862, and he served with credit to himself and satisfaction of his officers, serving until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Connelly, all in Clear Creek Township; Cynthia, the eldest, died in infancy; Charles H., of this sketch; Mrs. Mary E. Perrin, of Independence Township; W. W., of Des Moines; Mrs. Hattie A. Logan, of Colfax, Iowa; F. D., who resides in Independence Township; Cyrus A., of Des Moines; Rollie A., of Independence Township; Jessie B. died when four years of age; Curtis M., of Independence Township; James died in infancy.

Charles H. Connelly was married on April 4, 1895, to Emma J. Adamson, who was born at Adams Grove, south of Newton, April 20, 1865, and there she grew to womanhood, was educated and has resided in this locality all her life. Her parents, Henry and Mary J. (Baker) Adamson, were a well-known and influential pioneer family here, the father having been born in Tennessee and he died in Jasper County, Iowa, November 24; the mother was born in Indiana and she died in Independence Township, this County, June 24, 1896.

To Mr. and Mrs. Connelly one son has been born, Alden M., born January 9, 1896, who is now a student in the Baxter high school, and he is a lad of much promise.

Politically, Mr. Connelly is a Republican and while he has never been especially active in public affairs, he has ever taken a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his County, always supporting such measures as made for the upbuilding of the locality honored by his residence. He owns a substantial, cozy and well-furnished home in Baxter. He has been very successful in his life work and has accumulated a competency. Although his primary schooling was not what he desired or should have obtained, he has, by actual contact with the world and by close study in a miscellaneous way at home, become well advised and is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1358