McNally, Michael 1844 wife - Margurett Gaffney

MCNALLY, MULLEN, GAFFNEY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/5/2020 at 14:56:14

Mc Nally Family

Michael McNally originally purchased land in Sec 35, Washington Twp. He was born in London, England, on Sept 15, 1844. His father’s name was John and his mother’s name was Bridget (Mullen) McNally. They were native of Ireland. In 1852, John McNally came to America and settled for a short time in the State of Ohio and then moved to Jackson Co., OH. Michael McNally was the youngest child of the John and Bridget McNally family. It is recalled that he had one sister which was referred to as Aunt Ellen who married John McCabe who were residents of Jackson Co.

Michael Mc Nally and his brother, John McNally, first came to western Iowa, in 1870, by driving a team of horses across the state. They stopped at Iowa Falls, IA, which was a railroad land office. They proceeded to Le Mars. IA., and then fanned out looking for land. They decided to buy land in Sec. 35 and in Sec 22 and 26. They returned to Sabula in Jackson Co. having made arrangements with the railroad company to purchase land. The contracts wre completed in 1871 and 1872. In 1872, they returned to Iowa, and at that time the railroad was completed across Iowa. Michael McNally settled in Sec 35, Washington Twp. There is some recollection that the house in Washington Tsp. was built in 1872 or 1873, but it was actually built in 1872.. Michael McNally married Margurett A. Gaffney had one brother, Ed Gaffney and one sister, Julia Gaffney, who married James O’Meara. Incidentally, James O’Meara Purchased land in Washington Twp. In 1872 also.

Michael McNally and Margurett McNally were the parents of John McNally, M. J. McNally, Andrew McNally, F. E. McNally, Alice McNally Earley, and Nellie McNally Smith. Michael McNally died in Aug 1931. Margurette Mc Nally, Michael’s wife, died Mar 15, 1921.

John McNall, Andrew McNally and M. J. McNally, all brothers, operated the McNally farm in Sec 35, after Michael McNally moved to Hawarden. John and Andrew McNally predeceased M. J. Mc Nally and the present owner of the farms is Jame M. McNally and Leone White McNally. The farm is still operated by James M. McNally. (in 1987)

Michael McNallay for many years was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Sioux Co. having held office from 1876-1888. He retired to Hawarden and held various community offices.

John McNally, Andres McNally and M. J. McNally all attended and graduated from the old Normal school in Le Mars, IA, As a young man M. J. McNally briefly engaged in teaching school until he and Andrew McNally formed the partnership and operated the McNally farm for many years.

Florence Morgan, granddaughter of M. Mc Nally, still resides in Hawarden (1987)

Michael J. McNally family –
Michael J. McNally and Jennie Nanninga were married and are the parents of James M. McNally and Leone McNally White. The Fred Nanninga family at one time owned the NW ¼ of Sec 36 and the south 50 acres of Sec 25 in Washington Twp.
When Michael Mc Nally retired to Hawarden M. J. and Jennie McNally resided on the McNally farm in Sec 35. The farm is presently operated as a unit by James M. McNally and remains a century farm in the vicinity (in 1987)

The surviving children of M. J. McNally and Jennie Namminga McNally are James M. McNally, lawyer of Le Mars IA, and Leone McNally White of Ida Grove, IA., Leone M. White is a graduate of the University of Iowa and before retirement was a teacher in public schools.

F.E. McNally was the son of Michael McNally, the original pioneer. F. E. Mc Nally married Allie Mins. She was a native of Maurice IA. The children in this family were Francis who attended school in Ireton and many years ago he moved to California. Lawrence McNally attended school in Ireton and was married to a Morrison girl, a native of Ireton. He moved to South Dakota and is now deceased. (in 1987) Florence McNally Morgan was married to Lloyd Morgan of Hawarden and she still resides in Hawarden and her spouse Lloyd, is deceased. Bernice McNally resides in California.

Nell McNally Smith was married to Harry Smith and they resided in North Dakota. Nell Smith died quite young and the family dispursed. Loretta Smith Lynott, one of the daughters, still resides in Sioux City. She was a school teacher and married Emmett Lynott of Hawarden and their son Robert E. Lynbott, still resides in Hawarden and operates the Lynott Implement Co.

Alice Mc Nally Earley was married to A. G. Earley. Their children consisted of Florence Earley Parkinson, Ellen Early Berglund, Frank Earley and Delores Earley. Frank Earley and Delores Earley are both now deceased. Ellen Early Berglund resides in Le Mars. The Early girls during their lifetime were engaged in the practice of teaching school

John H. Mc Nally, son of Michael McNally, was never married and during his lifetime was engaged in the business of real estate and insurance in Hawarden.

Andrew M. Mc Nally, son of Michael McNally never married and during his lifetime was engaged in the business of farmng in partnership with M.J. Mc Nally in Sec 35 Washington Twp.
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Hereby below is copied the obit of Michael Mc Nally and his wife Marguerett Gaffney

Source: Hawarden Independent (8-27-1931)
Born: February 14, 1843
Died: August 20, 1931

WAS 88 YEARS OF AGE AND HAD LIVED IN SIOUX COUNTY 59 YEARS--LEAVES ONE DAUGHTER AND THREE SONS

The death of Michael McNally at his home in this city last Thursday morning marked the passing of one of Sioux County’s earliest pioneers and most highly revered and substantial citizens. He was past 88 years of age and had been in gradually failing health for several years. At various times during the past summer he had been critically ill but was bedfast only a few days at a time, his unusually vigorous constitution enabling him to rally each time. Only the day preceding his death he had paid a visit to the old home farm in Washington Township so that his death Thursday morning came very unexpectedly.
Funeral services were held at the Catholic Church in this city at 10 o’clock Monday morning, the capacity of the Church being taxed to accommodate the hundreds of relatives and friends who gathered to pay a final tribute to Mr. McNally’s memory. Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Reverend Father C. O. Conway, with Reverend Father M. Bradley of Carroll acting as deacon, Reverend Father Kirley of Emmet as sub-deacon, and Reverend Father Greteman of Struble as master of ceremonies. Emmett Lynott was the soloist. The funeral sermon was delivered by Reverend Father Conway. Interment was made in the Catholic Cemetery.

Michael McNally was born in London, England, February 14, 1843. He came to America with his parents in 1848 and they first located at Springfield, Ohio, but in the fall of that year came west to Jackson County, Iowa, and located on a farm near Sabula so that he had been a resident of Iowa almost 88 years. He grew to manhood in Jackson County and on January 7, 1868, was united in marriage with Margaret Ann Gaffney at Bellevue, Iowa. In 1872, in company with his brother, the late John McNally, he came to Sioux County and located on a 400 acre tract of land along the Indian Creek in Washington Township, which is still known as the McNally farm. The following year he moved his family here from Jackson County. He farmed in partnership with his brother until 1881 when John McNally moved onto a farm near the present railway station of McNally while Michael continued to operate the old farm place for many years. His brother, John McNally, passed away June 22, 1915. Twenty-four years ago this fall Mr. and Mrs. McNally retired from active farm life and moved to Hawarden and he has since made his home in this city. Mrs. McNally passed away March 15, 1921.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Alice Earley, of Hawarden vicinity; and three sons, John H. McNally of Hawarden and Michael J. and Andrew M. McNally, who resides on the old home farm in Washington Township. One daughter, Mrs. Nellie Smith, died February 17, 1919, and a son, Frank E. McNally, died April 6, 1922. He also leaves two nephews, N. J. McCabe of Hawarden and J. C. McNally of Washington Township, besides fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren

During his long life in this community Mr. McNally served in numerous positions of responsibility and trust. In 1875 he was elected as a member of the Sioux County Board of Supervisors and served four consecutive terms or twelve years in this office, and then again after a lapse of eighteen years he was elected to membership on the board of supervisors in 1906 and served for a period of six years. Suffering a broken leg near the close of his last term, declined to again be a candidate for the position. In 1889 he was elected school treasurer of Washington Township and held this position continuously until 1907 with the exception of one term. For many years, both before and after moving to Hawarden, he served as a director of the First National Bank of this city.

Mr. McNally outlived nearly all of the original adult settlers of Sioux County. At the time he located in Washington Township, Calliope consisted of just a small settlement and Le Mars was the principal trading point with but very few farm homes and a vast expanse of prairie between these two places. But while neighbors were few and widely scattered, they were real neighbors in those days and stood ever ready to share with those in need. Mr. McNally was a pillar of strength among those early settlers. He was a man of keen business judgment and his rugged honesty and kindly, human traits of character enabled him to acquire a multitude of loyal friends who remained steadfast throughout his life. He lived a long, eventful life and there was genuine sorrow on every hand at his passing.

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AGED LADY DIES VERY SUDDENLY
MRS. M. Mc NALLY PASSES AWAY AT HER HOME HERE Taken Suddenly at Supper Table

Another Sioux County Pioneer Woman to Pass On
This community was greatly saddened Tuesday evening to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. M. McNally at her home in this city. While she had not been in robust health, for some time owing to her advanced years still she had not been ailing particularly, and her sudden passing thus came as all the more of a shock. The family was just finishing supper when she got up from the table and went into the living room and sat down on a couch. In just a moment she called for help. She asked for water and this was brought to her and shortly afterwards she lapsed into unconsciousness. Medical aid was at once summoned but she passed away shortly after the arrival of a physician.

Margaret Ann Gaffney was born in Mobile, Ala., Nov. 23, 1843, She had attained the age of 77 years, 3 months and 22 days. When four or five years of age she moved with her parents to Bellevue, Iowa, where her girlhood was spent. On Jan. 7, 1868, she was united in marriage with Michael Mc Nally at Bellevue and in 1873 they came to Sioux county and located in Washington township where Mr. McNally purchased a farm. They continued to make their home on the farm until October, 1907, when they purchased the present home in Hawarden and have since been residents of this city.

Eight children were born to them, five of whom, with the aged husband, are left to mourn her death, One daughter, Florence, and one son, Joseph, died when quite young, while another daughter, Mrs. Nellie Smith, died about three years, ago at her home at Napoleon, N. D. The, surviving children are Mrs. A. G. Earley and John H. Mc Nally, Frank E., Michael J. and Andrew- McNally, all of Washington township.
She is also survived by one brother, Ed. Gaffney, and one sister, Mrs. E. Callihan, both of this city.

Thus another of Sioux county's pioneer women has passed to her reward and many persons outside the family circle will mourn the loss of a true and honored friend, Her early life in Sioux county was not unlike that of other pioneers who learned to become inured to hardships and yet experienced the joy of comradeship with those whose struggles for existence in a new country were similar to her own. Gentleness was one of the outstanding characteristics of her nature and the welfare of her family was ever her first consideration. She was a wife and mother in the highest conception of the terms and her memory will ever be fondly cherished by those near and dear.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Catholic Church in this city at 10 o'clock Friday morning by Rev. Fr. Bradley and -interment will be made in the Catholic cemetery here.