Conley, F. J. 1879 -

CONLEY, MCGETTIGAN, OMALLEY, LARSON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/19/2014 at 11:35:32

F. J. Conley, the junior partner of the firm of Goheen & Conley, was also born in Chickasaw county, this state, and is a son of Michael and Margaret (McGettigan) Conley, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Iowa. Our subject was born on January 17, 1879, on the home farm. His father came to Chickasaw county with his parents when he was a mere child and, early becoming acquainted with agricultural methods, took up that vocation as his life work, buying and improving a farm which he has ever since successfully operated. The mother is also living. In their family were six children, of whom three are deceased.

F. J. Conley was reared and educated in his native county, where he attended district school and the high school at Ionia. He then entered the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduating in 1903. Removing to Lawler, he there accepted the position of superintendent of schools, holding that office for five years, and then returned to Chickasaw county, as he was elected to the position of county superintendent of schools. For five years he was so engaged, doing acceptable service in the promotion of the cause of education and improving the personnel of the teaching force in the county. In 1909 he entered St. Paul College of Law, being graduated with the class of 1912, and then came to Calmar, Winneshiek county, Iowa, forming a partnership with T. H. Goheen, and has ever since practiced law in that connection. He is a man not only of book learning but one who has closely studied human nature, and his insight into the motives of man helps him greatly in his professional career. Although he has engaged in the practice of law for barely a year, he is already recognized as one of the coming men in the profession.

In October, 1905, Mr. Conley was united in marriage to Miss Jensena R. Larson, a daughter of Lewis and Bridget (O'Malley) Larson, the father of Norway and the mother of Ireland. Mr. Larson has long resided in this country and is now engaged in the mercantile business in Lawler, Iowa, where the mother is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Conley had four children, namely: Francis L., deceased; Marjory Marie, who died February 21, 1909; Eileen Agnes, aged four; and Mary Gertrude, aged one year.

Politically Mr. Conley is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus lodge of Waterloo, Iowa. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him, for he soon demonstrated his ability to capably handle intricate problems and his practice is already of such proportions that he receives gratifying financial returns. Both Mr. Goheen and Mr. Conley are men of sterling traits of character who receive the high regard and confidence of their fellowmen and take as much interest in movements for the general advancement and development as in the promotion of their own success.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913