The period of Peter McNee’s residence in Cedar county covers sixty-seven years—a period marked by many changes and by remarkable transformation. The settlers of that early day did not dream of what would come to this section within the next half century, and there were even many who believed that the state would never become settled in its more remote districts, nor could they imagine that the railroad would penetrate into every nook and corner, connecting each little farming community with the great markets of the world. Indian tribes roamed at will in the central and western portion, wild game was to be had in abundance, and only here and there was to be found a little cabin showing that the progressive white race was beginning to understand and appreciate the value of the natural resources here offered. It was in this region where all the conditions of pioneer life existed that Peter McNee spent his youthful days, sharing in the hardships and privations which made possible the present development of the country. His birthplace was one of the little cabins of the early day, situated in Linn township upon a farm which his father had secured some years before. He was there born August 9, 1843, and is of Scotch lineage.
Duncan McNee, his father, was born in Scotland in 1804 and was brought to the new world by his parents, who with others crossed the Atlantic in the early part of the nineteenth century and settled in Upper Canada, near Perth, where Duncan McNee was reared to adult age. In that locality he married Catherine McIntire, also a native of Scotland. They took up their abode upon a farm in that locality and while there residing two children were born unto them. But the growth of Canada was slow and its future uncertain. The States were becoming more thickly settled and though competition was greater advancement was more quickly secured. It was this fact that led Duncan McNee to cross the border in 1839 and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Cedar county, although at that time Iowa still remained a part of Wisconsin territory. The greater part of the land was owned by the government and Duncan McNee secured a claim in what is now Linn township. The surface of the earth was bound into a solid mass by the roots of prairie grasses that had grown there perhaps for centuries. It was a difficult task, therefore, to break the sod and render the soil rich and mellow. But plow and harrow did their work and by slow degrees the wild tract was transformed into cultivable fields. The boundaries of his farm originally inclosed one hundred and sixty acres but later he added to this until his place comprised two hundred and twenty acres. Upon this farm he reared his family and made his home until his life’s labors were ended in death in 1887, when he was eighty-two years of age. His wife survived him for about fifteen years, passing away in 1902 at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Of their family of three sons and two daughters all lived to reach manhood or womanhood. The eldest, Finley McNee, went to Pike’s Peak and is supposed to have passed away, as nothing has been heard from him in years. Marjory died after reaching womanhood. John is living in California. Peter is the next of the family. Margaret lives upon the old homestead.
Peter McNee can relate many interesting incidents concerning pioneer life in Cedar county. The work of civilization had not been carried far when as a boy he became identified with the growth and development being carried on here. As opportunity offered he attended the common schools but most of his attention was given to the work of the fields. The desire to have a home of his own led to his marriage in Linn township on the 21st of March, 1875, to Miss Lavina Rate, who was born in Johnson county, this state, and is a daughter of William Rate, a native of England and one of the pioneer settlers of Johnson county, whence he afterward removed to Cedar county. Prior to his marriage he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, Pioneer township, and to this farm he brought his bride. With added impetus for renewed effort he took up the task of developing the fields and improving the place, and year after year saw something worth while accomplished. In time he erected a two-story residence and added to the buildings upon the farm two good barns, a work house, cribs and machine house. He also adopted woven wire fence to enclose his fields and added to the productiveness of his land by tiling. As the years passed he prospered and later purchased another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Pioneer township, which he rents. Again he made purchase of land and is today the owner of four hundred and eighty acres. He operates the home place and leases the remainder, deriving therefrom a substantial annual income. He raises and feeds cattle and hogs, selling the cattle off the pasture and shipping annually two carloads of hogs. He was also one of the promoters and stock-holders of the Mechanicsville Telephone Company and is interested in all lines of progress that contribute to the material upbuilding of the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McNee have been born five children: Maggie, at home; Ida, the wife of Lewis Crawford, a resident farmer of Linn township; Grover and Harry D., who assist in carrying on the home farm; and Rudolph, who completes the family.
Mr. McNee has frequently served as a delegate to the county convention of the democratic party, which he has supported throughout his entire life. There are no chapters in his life history that will not bear investigation and scrutiny. He has been honorable in business, fair and just in his treatment of his fellowmen, faithful in friendship and devoted to the welfare of his family, and as the years have gone by he has reached a most enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
