Edward F. Connoran
BROWN, CONNORAN, CUMMINGS, ELLIOT, LEONARD, MCNEAL, MOTT, SMITH, YOUNG, ZELLER
Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 5/18/2006 at 12:21:28
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 12, 1931
Page 1Death of Ed. F. Connoran
The Bugle Calls for Aged Veteran; Had Resided Here Since 1856
Ed Connoran, pioneer resident of Madison county and last survivor of Company A of the 39th Iowa Infantry, died at his home in Winterset, February 8th, at the age of 87. He had been ill for the past few weeks.
Mr. Connoran was one of the early pioneers of Madison county, locating here in 1856. He was also the last survivor of Company A of the 39th Iowa Infantry in the war of the Rebellion. A company that numbered 100 young men from Winterset and vicinity. His last illness was brief, though he had been failing rapidly for several months.
Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. John T. Hall, Tuesday afternoon, February 10, at Tidrick's funeral home.
The following biographical sketch of his life was prepared by his civil war comrade, E. R. Zeller.
E. F. Connoran was born in Hamilton County, Indiana, on January 16, 1844. His parents were both of Irish descent. His mother's name was, before marriage, Nancy McNeal; his father's name was Edward Connoran. They came to Indiana from Pennsylvania. The family emigrated to Indiana where Mr. Connoran was born. There were ten brothers and sisters in the family, all of whom came with their parents to Madison county, Iowa, in 1856 and located in Douglas township. Afterwards the family came to Winterset and located in the southwest part of this city near the place which later became the home of E. F. Connoran, after marriage and remained his home for many years.
He was married in 1869 to Miss Irene Young. There were three children born in the family, Daisy, now Mrs. Warren Smith, Cliff of Indianola, and Harry, who died when fourteen years old. Mr. Connoran had nine brothers and sisters. His brother James was a minister of the Church of Christ, then known as the Disciples. All the family have passed away.
Mr. Connoran enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 in the 39th Iowa regiment company A, most of which together with Company F was composed of Madison county men. Col. H. J. B. Cummings who had previously been captain of the 4th Iowa Inf. was chiefly instrumental in organizing the regiment and when the organization was formed, he was commissioned Colonel. Other companies of the organization had recruits from this county but were chiefly made up from Dallas, Polk and Clark counties. The 39th was always regarded as the Madison County regiment and up to the last, has been of peculiar interest to Winterset people and many reunions have been held here. George N. Elliot was captain of the company A and that enterprising man, who was so long identified with the social, political and business interest of St. Charles, J. M. Brown was captain of Co. F. Judge Fred Mott was quarter master of the regiment and Dr. W. L. Leonard, surgeon. The regiment was sent to Davenport for a short time for training but soon was ordered South where they were engaged in a severe battle within two weeks after enlistment. Mr. Connoran was one of the most efficient of the soldiers from Madison County, of vigorous health, fearless and patriotic, and was constantly on duty, which he never shirked. Of the many engagements he participated in the battle of Allantoona, which was one of the most stubbornly, contested and one of the bloodiest of the war. Having been sent to Allantoona with an Illinois regiment to defend the post where a large accumulation of supplies had been collected for Sherman’s march to the sea, the Union army, of less than 2000 men defended the place against a whole division of the Confederates and held it till help came, when the enemy hastily withdrew. From company A many of Madison county’s best known were killed. There were a few of the company who came safely through the terrible conflict and Ed was one of them. Mr. Connoran was with Sherman in the march to the sea, was at the Grand Review at Washington and was honorably discharged.
When Mr. Connoran arrived at Winterset after three years’ absence, not having been back home during the whole time of his enlistment he did not hang around begging for a bonus or a pension, but immediately went to work draying, a business his father had established and was now too infirm to manage. He afterwards entered the grocery business, first as an employee and later as a proprietor. After he disposed of his grocery business he was employed most of the time working at the carpenter trade, or in some public office. He served one term as councilman, was city assessor for twenty-five years and county recorder for four years. He was one of the first to join the Grand Army Post and has filled all the official positions of the Post including that of Commander which he filled for several terms and of which he now is incumbent. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Baptist church.
He is survived by his wife and two children, Mrs. Warren Smith and Cliff Connoran, and three grand children, Alden Smith, New York City, Clifton Smith of Winterset and Irene Connoran of Indianola.
________________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 12, 1931ESWARD CONNORAN DIES AT AGE OF 87
Last Survivor of Co. A 39th Iowa Infantry. Services Held Tuesday.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon for Edward F. Connoran, 87, whose death occurred about one o’clock Sunday morning. The Rev. John T. Hall, pastor of the Baptist church conducted the rites at two o’clock at the Tidrick funeral home; assisted by the Rev. Paul M. Fowler, pastor of the Presbyterian church; burial was in the Winterset Cemetery.
Mr. Connoran had been ill since early in January when he suffered an attack of influenza from which, due to his advanced age, he failed to rally.
Mr. Connoran was of Irish descent and was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, January 16, 1844, the son of Edward and Nancy McNeal Connoran. The parents and their ten children came to Madison county, Iowa, in 1856, locating in Douglas township. They afterward made their home in the southwest part of Winterset.
In August 1862 Mr. Connoran enlisted with Co. A of the 39th Iowa Infantry. He was constantly on duty and engaged in every battle in which his regiment participated, being in the battle of Allatoona and with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. He was the last survivor of his company and the last member of his family.
Discharged in June 1865 Mr. Connoran returned to Winterset where his marriage to Miss Irene Young took place in 1869. He engaged in the draying business immediately after the war, later entering the grocery business. He was city assessor twenty-five years and served four years as County recorder. Active in G. A. R. affairs, he helped organize the post here and had held all its different offices being commander many years and occupying that office at the time of his death.
Those who are survive are the widow; his daughter, Mrs. Warren Smith; a son, C. W. Connoran of Indianola; three grandchildren, Alden Smith of New York City; Clifton Smith of Winterset; and Miss Irene Connoran of Indianola. A son, Harry, died at the age of 14.
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