William A. McGonigle was born in Linn County, Ia., on the 8th day of May, 1846, and was a son of Bartimeus and Catherine McGonigle. He was reared on a farm and received a liberal education. When twenty-three years of age he engaged in school-teaching, and was afterward employed as a clerk in a drug store at Postville and Winthrop, where he received a thorough knowledge of the business. In 1874 was employed in the graded schools of Monona, two years. He served as Deputy Recorder of Clayton County for a short time, when he returned to Monona and was again employed in the schools. In April, 1881, he went to Rock Rapids, Lyons County, Ia., where he took charge of the schools in that place, and remained a short time. In 1878 he married Ella Egbert, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine Egbert. She was born in St. Joseph County, Ind., April 15, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. McGonigle are the parents of one child--Bessie K., who was born Jan. 1, 1880. Mr. McGonigle is a member of the A.O.U.W., Monona Lodge, No. 172, and the V.A.S. Lodge, No. 51. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1050-1051 |