Linneas A. (Lynn) Conway

CLAYPOOL, COATE, COCKERILL, CONWAY, SHIELDS, WILLIAMSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/11/2005 at 14:22:39

Linneas A. Conway, a farmer residing in Grand River township, was born in Marshall county, Iowa, on the 5th of August, 1867. His father, Lloyd N. Conway, was a native of Miami county, Ohio, born on the 20th of May, 1842. In 1859 he made the journey overland to Marshall county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1861, when the great need of his country caused him to enlist in Company B, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and one month. He was in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg and the siege of Atlanta, and on the 22nd of July, 1864, at the siege of Atlanta, his left arm was shot off and the same bullet passed through his body. After his release from the hospital he would not leave but remained and came home with the rest of the "boys." He returned to Marshall county, where he owned a large tract of land, and bought and shipped stock extensively. On the i4th of February, 1868, he came to Madison county, and in Grand River township found plenty of free range, upon which he ran his cattle. He lived first in a board shanty twelve by fourteen feet and was one of the real pioneers of the township.

In 1888 he began raising full blooded Galloway cattle and gained an enviable reputation as a breeder. He had quite a large herd and exhibited a number of times at Creston. He continued to deal in stock extensively and his sales were features in the stock-raising circles of the county, while he shipped many head annually. He owned six hundred acres of land in the home place and also held title to land in Nebtaska, Colorado and California.

At the time of his death he was residing in Orange, California, enjoying in leisure the fruits of his former toil. He assessed Grand River township, this county, for eleven years and in 1886 was a member of the board of supervisors. The republican party had in him a loyal supporter and his advice was often sought in local party councils. He helped to organize the Grand Army of the Republican post at Macksburg and was also a member of the Odd Fellows. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Susannah Coate, was born on the i8th of July, 1841, and is still living. Their marriage occurred in 1861 and they became the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the oldest.

Linneas A. Conway attended the common schools and the Macksburg high school, but when nineteen years of age left this county and went to California, working in and near Orange for three years. In 1889 he returned to Madison county and began farming, being so occupied until 1893. He then removed to Nebraska, where he owned land, and resided there until 1896, in which year he returned to this county where he lived for two years. In 1898, however, he went to Clarke county, which remained his home until 1905. He then came again to this county and has since resided here continuously. He owns three hundred and seventy-five acres of excellent land and raises thoroughbred Aberdeen Angus cattle.

He is progressive in all that he does and as he is also enterprising and energetic, his labors yield him a handsome yearly income. He is also a stockholder in the Creston, Winterset & Des Moines Railroad.

Mrs. Conway was Mrs. Mattie (Shields) Claypool. She is a daughter of Wesley and Mary (Williamson) Shields, both natives of Indiana, the former born in 1830 and the latter in 1833. Her father was one of the pioneers of Clarke county, Iowa, where he took up his residence in the early '50s. He owned a quarter section of land and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a public-spirited and progressive man and aided in building the house of worship of the Christian church, of which he was a member. He passed away in 1871 but is survived by his widow, who still resides at Hopeville, Clarke county. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Conway is the youngest. By a former marriage she has two children, Boyd and Floyd Claypool, and Mr. Conway by a former marriage has a daughter, Gladys, the wife of Floyd Cockerill, of Orange, California. Mr. and Mrs. Conway have become the parents of a son, Linneas A., whose birth occurred in 1910.

Mr. Conway is a standpat republican, being firmly convinced of the wisdom of the policies of the "grand old party." He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held all of the offices of his lodge and has also filled all of the chairs in the camp. While living in Clarke county he was district deputy grand master of the order and is well known among his brethren in that organization. He is one of the substantial men of his township.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.