GEORGE P. McNAY, D. V. M.
Dr. George P. McNay, formerly one of the best known
veterinary surgeons in Humeston and now a successful
real-estate operator in Denver, Colorado, was born in Greene
county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1862. He is a son of
Jasper Porter and Mary Frances (Lazear) McNay, both natives of
the Keystone state, the father born January 15, 1839, and the
mother June 22, 1841. Their
marriage occurred in Pennsylvania, January 30, 1860, and to
their union were born the following children: Francis James,
whose birth occurred November 30, 1860, and who died January
27, 1864; George P., of this review; Mrs. Mary Olive Bristor,
born September 19, 1866, who is residing in Humeston; Michael
Luther, whose birth occurred January 16, 1868, and whose home
is in Lucas county; John Thomas, who was born December 5,
1869, and who now resides near Derby, in Lucas county; Albert
Lee, born October 22, 1873, who is practicing medicine in
Kansas City, Missouri; and Jesse Lazear, born July 23, 1877,
who is practicing dentistry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The mother of these
children died in Pennsylvania, January 30, 1880, and the
father later married again.
To his second union were born the following children: Florence, who is
married and resides in Pennsylvania; Daisy, who is also
married and makes her home in the Keystone state; and
Gertrude, who is teaching school near the old homestead in
Pennsylvania.
Dr. George P. McNay acquired his education in the
public schools of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and when not
engaged with his books assisted his father in the operation of
the farm. His
mother had invested some money in a tract of land in Lucas
county, Iowa, and when Dr. McNay grew to manhood he came west
in order to assume its management. For a number of years he operated this
farm and eventually purchased property of his own which he
developed and improved along progressive lines for some time. In 1893 he
completed a course in comparative medicine in the Chicago
Veterinary College and located for practice in Humeston. For fourteen years
he gave his attention to his professional work, building up a
splendid patronage founded on real merit and recognized
ability. On the
10th of July, 1907, he became interested in western
real estate and opened an office in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. McNay married Miss Addie Kellenbarger, a
representative of one of the pioneer families in this section
of the state. She
was born in Indiana, March 8, 1859, and is a daughter of
William Bishop and Sarah Blancet (Jenkins) Kellenbarger, the
former of whom was born November 14, 1813, and the latter
March 20, 1820. The
mother was a native of Meade county, Kentucky. The parents came as
pioneers to Washington township, Wayne county, in 1861, and
here the father took up an undeveloped tract of land and for
many years bent his energies to its improvement. Being a skilled
carpenter, his knowledge of his trade aided him greatly in the
erection of the necessary farm buildings and he soon had one
of the best improved properties in this part of the state. He built fences,
barns and outbuildings, hauling the lumber from Burlington,
Iowa, and doing the work of construction with his own hands. He died at
Humeston, Iowa, August 20, 1901, having survived his wife
since June 25, 1893. Mr.
and Mrs. Kellenbarger were the parents of eleven children,
namely: John
Hilary, born in 1840, who resides in Grinnell, Iowa; Mrs. Mary
Jane Beals, born in 1843, who resides in Custer county,
Nebraska; Mrs. Rachel Harned, whose birth occurred in 1848 and
who is now residing in Humeston; Joseph Allen, who was born in
1852 and who makes his home in Custer county, Nebraska;
Benjamin William, born in 1857, who resides in Myrna,
Nebraska; Mrs. McNay, the wife of the subject review; Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, triplets, who died in infancy; Philip, who
passed away in childhood; and a daughter who died in infancy. The Kellenbarger
family is of old American establishment and was for many years
well known in Pennsylvania.
In that state Mrs. McNay’s grandfather, Joseph
Kellenbarger, was born on the 12th of August 1782,
and during the War of 1812 served as a colonel in the American
army, dying at Cambria, Iowa, February 2, 1872. His wife, who was
in her maidenhood Miss Rachel Lavar, died in 1825. The maternal line
can be traced back to Ethan Allen, of the Continental army,
for Mrs. McNay’s maternal great-grandmother was Nancy (Allen)
Shaver, a cousin of the Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. McNay’s
grandparents came to Pella, Iowa, in 1860, thus founding this
branch of the family in the middle west. In the following
year they moved to Wayne county, Iowa, and were among the
earliest settlers in that section. For the first few years they encountered
all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life but faced
them resolutely with high confidence and courage and gradually
gained prominence and prosperity, leaving to their descendants
the record of worthy work well done and the memory of an
untarnished name.
Dr. and Mrs. McNay became the parents of three
children. The
eldest, Leo N., was born in Lucas county, Iowa, August 22,
1883. He
attended the common schools in the community and attended the
Humeston high school, later completing a course in comparative
medicine in the Chicago Veterinary College and receiving his
degree in 1906. He
located for practice at Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa,
and has secured a gratifying and representative patronage, for
his ability and knowledge of the underlying principles of his
profession is well known.
On December 26, 1906, he married Miss Sadie Garret, who
was born September 14, 1886.
She is a daughter of Silas and Alice (Conrad) Garret,
the former born October 21, 1844, and the latter August 17,
1848. The father
is a tinner by trade and is following his chosen occupation in
Chicago, Illinois. The
brothers and sisters of Mrs. Sadie McNay are as follows: Mrs. Clara Smith,
born September 5, 1876, is a graduate of the Burlington high
school and is now residing in Peoria, Illinois. Edward, born
February 19, 1878, is a magazine writer and financial editor
of the New York Sun. His
home is in New Jersey. Mrs.
Gertrude Graham, born December 11, 1882, was formerly a
stenographer in Chicago, where she now resides. Mrs. Marie Briggs,
born October 20, 1884, was also a stenographer in Chicago, in
which city she still makes her home. Thomas, who completes the family, was
born June 16, 1890. He
is a talented cartoonist and makes his home in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Leo N.
McNay have three children:
Lillian Maxine, born August 28, 1907; Mildred Alice,
born June 7, 1909; and Garret, born June 9, 1911. Dr. McNay owns a
beautiful home and well equipped office in Garden Grove and is
one of the most successful veterinary surgeons in the city. He is a member of
the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen, while his wife belongs
to the Pythian Sisters in Garden Grove. The second child
born to Dr. and Mrs. George P. McNay, Mary Olive, was born in
Lucas county, June 21, 1887. She
attended the common schools of that section and was graduated
from the Humeston high school with the class of 1907. She is a member of
the P. E. O. of Humeston.
The youngest child in the family, William Lyle, was
born September 5, 1893, and died April 21, 1895.
This family is one of the oldest and most highly respected in this section of Iowa, where its members are prominent in business, social and professional circles and are found always among the leaders in the promotion of worthy projects which influence the permanent welfare of this community. Mrs. McNay is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a lady whose many excellent traits of heart and mind have won her the affection and esteem of all who know her.