Thos. Harvey McConnaughey 1833-1903
MCCONNAUGHEY, DYE, PACKER, GRIMES, STOTTLEMYER
Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 17:19:35
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Thos. Harvey McConnaughey died at his home in Bonaparte, Iowa, at 9:55 Friday evening July 17, 1903. This town where he has lived for the past seventeen years has lost one of its most exemplary citizens, -- upright, courteous, trustworthy -- a man of stainless character.
Of Scotch-Irish ancestry, he was born and reared in the Presbyterian Church and through all the vicissitudes of life was sustained by his unwavering faith in God.
Thos. Harvey McConnaughey, son of David and Anna Grimes McConnaughey, was born December 11, 1833, in Dayton, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received his education. He was the youngest of a family of twelve children, nine brothers and three sisters, all of whom except one sister and one brother have now passed away.
A great reader of history and an intelligent observer of events his conclusions always bore weight. In his business relations he was ever a most generous and kindly employer and held the respect and affection of all with whom he was associated.
Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War he came to Iowa and purchasing a large tract of land in Jefferson county, settled at Lockridge where he lived until the fall of 1861 when he volunteered in the service of his country. He became a member of Co. M. 4th Iowa Cavalry, and serving throughout the war, was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Davenport in August, 1865.
Among all his friends beyond his own family circle none mourn his death more truly than do his comrades of the 4th Iowa Cavalry.
In 1858 he was married to Miss Mary Dye also of Dayton, Ohio, who lived but a few years leaving him a little daughter who is now Mrs. N. L. Stottlemyer of Dayton, Ohio.
He was married to Miss Ada Packer at Salem, Iowa, Oct. 14, 1873, and she with their son, Darrel Robert, have the tenderest sympathy of many friends in their deep bereavement.
The funeral services were held at the home in Bonaparte, Iowa, at 9:30 A. M. Sunday, July 19, conducted by Rev. Geo. H. Duty of the Presbyterian church. Immediately after the services the funeral cortege started for Salem, Iowa, where they arrived at 3 o'clock P. M. At the Friends Cemetery where the remains were interred a company of G. A. R. veterans from the Hillsboro and Salem Posts had assembled and held a short burial service over the body of their comrade whom they had loved.
The pall bearers were H. L. Coolidge, Daniel Riggle, Jesse Merideth, G. W. Merideth, W. P. L. Muir and J. M . Sweeney.
The P. E. O. ladies, of which society Mrs. McConnaughey was a member, attended the funeral in a body with words of consolation for their sister.
During the past three years Mr. McConnaughey has suffered more than words can tell but he bore it all with a courage and fortitude most remarkable. His strength of mind and body, the best of physicians, the most careful nursing, and the faithful wife had done all things possible for him and he wanted to go to the land where sorrow and suffering never come.
A beautiful incident occurred on the afternoon of July 4th when the G. A. R. post of this place called in a body to give the greetings of the day to the late Mr. McConnaughey.
Unable to meet them personally his bed was drawn in front of the north window of his room and his comrades bearing the flag he and they had borne so much to defend, formed on the walk and with bared heads silently saluted him. With his feeble wasted hand he returned the salute touched to tears by this mark of his comrades respect and sympathy. Not being able to speak to them himself he sent a message of gratitude for their kindness to him and his and asking God's blessing upon them every one bade them a final Good bye.
Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA
I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.
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