McClellan A. "Mack" Connolly (1869-1923)

CONNOLLY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/11/2019 at 14:21:18

From Nevada Evening Journal June 13, 1923 (page 3)

OBITUARY OF MAC A. CONNOLLY

Was a Native Son of Story County and Had Wide Acquaintance

Funeral services for the later Mac A. Connolly, who died at Kansas City, Mo., June 6, were held from St. Mary's church Colo, June 9, Rev. Father M. Nichols officiating. Interment was at St. James cemetery, according to the request of the deceased. The following obituary was contributed by a life long friend.

Mac A. Connolly of Davenport, Ia., was born near Colo, Story county, Iowa, Oct. 16, 1869 and died in the Muehleback hotel at Kansas City, Missouri, June 6. The interment took place at Colo from St. Mary's church June 9, Rev Father Nichols officiating. The music rendered by Mr. Frank Ingalls of Nevada assisted by Mrs. Ross Willson. He was buried in St. James cemetery according to the wishes of the deceased. The altars of the church were banked in the gorgeous floral tributes of his friends from all parts of the country.

He was a native son of Story county and was reared on the homestead of his father, Jno. Connolly Sr., who died in 1907. In his boyhood days he attended the rural schools later attending Nevada high school which institution he dropped out of during the latter half of his senior year. After this he played professional base ball with the Pittsburg Pirates for two years then went to the Des Moines club in the Tri-States League. His life in the amusement business started immediately thereafter his first venture being the assistant managership of the Capitol city theatre and old Grand Opera House, now the Berchel Theatre at Des Moines, which his brother, J. S. Connolly was managing. This was in the early 90's. Following thi he with his brother, Joe, toured the United States, with the Headon Collision Feature showing in New York city and practically all of the larger states fairs in the union. Among the prominent features he was connected with at different times were Thomas World Fair orchestra, Bob Ingersol, Dr. Manson, Paderwiski, Rev. Dewitt Talmage and others. He was contracting agent for several years with some of the larger circuses and for about fifteen years before his death was associated with the Theatre-Duffield Fire Works Company of Chicago.

Big hearted Mac as he was affectionately and familiarly known by hosts of his friends will be greatly missed in the amusement world. His popular style of comedy was especially fascinating and his loyalty to his friends was his chief asset. It has been well said that Mac was never known to betray the confidence of a friend. Ever mindful of the welfare of his friends and his love for the old home he religiously practiced the doctrines as set down in the golden rule and taught to him at the knees of his mother with the passing of Mac Connolly across the great divide, one of God's noble men has been removed from the struggling masses and will ever be a great loss to humanity generally.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife sisters and brothers. Those attending the funeral services from out of town were Mrs. C. F. Wade of Chicago, W. J. McNichols of Omaha, Neb., Mr. Lawrence Horan of Fairmont, Va., Mr. M. E. Bacon, Davenport, Mr. Ted Eicholdofe, Rock Island, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Williams, Manchester, Ia., Mr. Roy Royland and Mr. Frank Miller of Oskaloosa.