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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Matthew A. Conant, D.D.S.

No other profession makes quite the demands upon the practitioner that dentistry does. A successful follower of this calling must possess not only broad technical skill, but also considerable mechanical ingenuity and ability and if he would win prosperity he must also have power to finance his business interests, so that he will gather the merited reward of his labor. Well qualified in all of these particulars Dr. Conant is doing a successful business as a member of the dental fraternity in Greene county, maintaining an office in Churdan. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Bristol township on the 30th of August, 1875. His father, David Conant, was born in Vermont, on the 6th of April, 1839, and was a representative of an old New England family, his parents being James A. and Louisa (Carter) Conant. In 1869 he came to Greene county, Iowa, from Dane county, Wisconsin, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Bristol township. Although it was then wild and undeveloped he resolutely set to work to improve it and soon converted it into a good farm, his labors being given to the cultivation of the fields until fifteen years before his death, when he retired and lived in Farlin, this county. It was prior to his removal to Iowa that he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry under Colonel Daniels, in September, 1861. He went to the front, saw active service upon the battle-fields of the south and was honorably discharged at Calhoun, Georgia, after which he returned to Dane county, Wisconsin. There he resided until 1869, when he sought a home in Iowa, his remaining days being passed as above stated. He wedded Miss Alice M. Wilson, a daughter of William and Almira Wilson, residents of Jefferson and now deceased. They became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daugl1ters, namely: Charles A.; Almira L.; Samuel E.; Matthew A.; Sarah May; Olive Myrtle, who died April 23, 1901; and Kate B., who died September 3, 1904. The father passed away about five years ago, his death occurring July 6, 1902.

It was upon the home farm in Bristol township that Dr. Conant was born and reared. At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein mastered the elementary branches of learning. During the period of vacations he worked in the fields and rendered able assistance to his father in this way. Later he became a student in the Capital City Commercial College, and then, determining upon a professional career, he made choice of the practice of dentistry as a life work. To this end he entered the dental department of Drake University and was graduated in the class of 1903. Opening an oflice in Churdan, he has since remained in active practice here. He now has a well appointed office, supplied with the latest improved instruments and appliances for the successful practice of dentistry and he keeps in touch with the advancement that is continually being made by the profession in the care of the teeth. While he was in college he devoted all his spare time to actual work in the office of his preceptor, the dean of the college, and gained a practical knowledge far in excess of that of many college bred men. His ability has been his best advertisement and has gained for him a constantly increasing patronage.

On the 17th of June, 1903, in Jefferson. Dr. Conant was united in marriage to Miss Inez Daisy Wright, a daughter of J. H. and Margaret (McClurg) Wright, who came from Indiana to Iowa at an early day in the development of Greene county and settled in Jackson township. Dr. and Mrs. Conant now have one son, Harold Maxwell, born January 23, 1906. The young couple are highly esteemed in the community and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them, their position in social circles being a most enviable one. They are members of the Church of Christ and Dr. Conant is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship or unmindful of co-operation which he owes in community affairs, while at the same time he faithfully attends to the work of his office.


Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.


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