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.

 

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