Thomas Hubert Conniff

CONNIFF MCSPADDEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 21:56:31

Woodbury County History 1984

Thomas Hubert Conniff
By Eleanor Louise Lang Darrell

Thomas Hubert Conniff (originally Conniffe or O’Conniffe) was born May 18, 1816 in Ballinasloe, neath Athone, Ireland. It was there he received his early education. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the British Army, serving in the Eighty-eighth Infnatry. He and his regiment saw service in the East Indies during the time of the Rebellion. Upon returning to England, he was chosen as one of the bodyguards to accompny Lord Durham upon his appoointment as Governor General of the Province of Canada. He landed in Quebec, May 29, 1838, and was quartered there near the Plains of Abraham.

His term of service expired during his stay in Canada. He crossed to the United States to make his future home, believing this country offered the challenges and rovided the opportunities for which he yearned. He took up the study of law in Lewiston, New York. It was there he met Sarah McSpadden, the daughter of Scottish linen merchants. They wed July 14, 1842, in Lewiston, moving to Buffalo, New York to make their home.

However, a war was in the offing with Mexico, and Thomas Hubert volunteered his services for his adopted country. His destiny was not to be New York. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharged, he applied for land under the Land Grant Act and was given title to property in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. The family moved to Wisconsin Territory and farmed. However, the Territory of Minnesota beckoned as Sarah’s brother, William McSpadden, and his family were there. Thomas Hubert was able to obtain property in Houston County, Minnesota Territory, so they relocated.

It must have been an intersting time for them. The cousins grew up as playmates and friends. Thomas Hubert earnestly pursued his law practice. He participated in Minnesota becoming a state and later served as a state legislature in the sixth session. He was appointed county attorney for Houston County, and he again served his country as colonel in the Minnesota Militia during the Civil War. He continued his farming interests, for his heart lay with the land. But most importantly, he watched his children grow. It was apparent that college education would soon be needed. The University of Iowa seemed to offer the solution.

Thomas Hubert bought property on the Correctionville Road on the outskirts of Sioux City. In 1869, the year the railroad came to Sioux City, the Conniffs came to Iowa. He obtained his license to practice law in Iowa, opening his law office in Sioux City. When Thomas, Jr, graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1871, the first person in Sioux City Township to do so, he joined his father’s office. He married Hannah Hunt, the duaghter of Dr Hunt of Sioux City, and they later located in South Sioux City, and they later located in South Dakota where he practiced for many years.

Robert Emmett and Harriett took their degrees in medicine, Robert, returning to Sioux City to practice. His wife was Christina Schlawig (see John Jacob Schlawig). Harriett was the third woman to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Iowa. She practiced in Marshalltown, and after her marriage to Otis E Comstock, in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Mary Ann married Byron Smith and, after his death, J A Eberly, homesteading in yet another territory, Dakota. William, who married Hannah Houston, entered the mercantile business and later was Clerk of the District Court in Sioux City.

Emma taught school before her marriage to Jules Blondel. George, who did not marry, was a life-long resident of Sioux City engaging in various business enterprises. Edwin married Mary D McClure. They homesteaded in South Dakota for some years; however, his professional of building contractor took him to Oregon and ultimately Kansas City, Missouri. They youngest child, Joseph Alfred, settled in Colorado, where he married Nellie Edith Sammis. Joining the United States Postal Service, he was later transferred to San Diego, California where he retired.

Thomas Hubert Conniff was a true pioneer, carving homes out of the wilderness, helping territories become state, but above all, providing for his wife and nine children. He had met his challenges and served his country well. All had been done prudently and judiciously. It was now time to retire. He and Sarah devoted their later years to farming and stock-raising on the land they had grown to love. He died unexpectedly August 16, 1885 while visiting his children in The Dakotas.

Thomas Hubert had a keen mind, a linguistic ability, a kind and jovial disposition, and posessed a remarkable knowledge of current events. He engaged actively in political and educational matters. He was a man whom it was a pleasure to known, as he always made and kept friends. He was respected by all and sought out by many.

He and his wife, Sarah, along with five of their children are buried in Sioux City. Many of his papers and memorabilia may be seen as the Sioux City Public Museum.