they happened to settle in Iowa in my other story, “Many Roads to Iowa, Part II." (See Swets Family)

McConnell, James and Rose(a) (McLaughlin)

(David J. McConnell)

James McConnell, a Bluffton Twp. farmer, is buried in the cemetery of St. Bridget’s of Bluffton Twp. On the east side of the family monument James’s date of death is listed as Mar 1881-he was 58 years of age. His wife’s name Rose(a) McConnell nee McLaughlin is also listed on the east side of the stone with the date of death as Dec 1881-she was 50 years of age. On the north side of the stone Alice McConnell is listed with date of death 15 Jan 1891-she was 21 years of age. The west side of the stone is not engraved.

The south side of the stone holds a mystery listing Mary Ann McConnell died Dec 1867, aged 11 years old; Bridget McConnell died Dec 1867, aged 7 years old; and Rose Ellen McConnell died Dec 1867 at age 5. No mention has been found of the causes of the deaths of the three young girls.

The Decorah Republican of 31 Mar 1881 has the death notice of James. He died of a broken neck received by falling from his wagon. He was returning to the family farm from Decorah when one of the wagon wheels hit a rut, throwing him from the wagon.

James and Rose were born in Ireland. James was a brother to Terence McConnell, another local farmer. Rose had a brother Charles McLaughlin who lived nearby.

The 1880 census lists some of the children of James and Rose, all born in Iowa: Michael 19, Edward 15, James 13, Charles 11, Alice 8, Rose E. 6 and William 4. With the death of James and Rose, the children who were minors were taken in by the area residents and in some cases relatives. When the children came of age they left the area.

Young James moved to Wisconsin. He married Anne T Welch in Stevens Point, Wl. They lived in Marinett, Wl. James died 25 Jun 1912 leaving Anne with 7 young children.

McKay Brothers: Amos Judson and Cyrus

(Jack Moselle)

Amos Judson McKay was born 10 Aug 1817 in Waterford, Erie Co., PA. His younger brother Cyrus was born 7 Aug 1826 in Waterford. They are the sons of James Montgomery McKay and Jane Underwood. Other siblings included Mary, Jane, James, Abraham, Malvina, Evelyn and Robert. The McKays were a large family located in both Erie and Crawford counties. Amos and Cyrus left PA for Iowa in 1856. Little is known of their early life in Waterford.

While still residing in Waterford, Amos married Elizabeth Jodon 1 Jan 1840. Their children, all born in PA, included Albert Montgomery (b. 7 Jan 184I); Della Paulina (b. 30 Sep 1844); Margaret (b. 10 Oct 1845); and Lucy (b. 26 Feb 1851).

Cyrus McKay married Livia Ann Porter 24 May 1846 at Columbus, Venango Co., PA. Their children included:

Arthur (b. 1847); Eva (b. Dec 1849); Alice (b. 1852); Frank (b. Apr 1859); Nellie (b. 25 Nov 1862); Charles (b. Apr 1865); Jessie (b. Dec 1868); and a son Allen who died in infancy. Arthur, Eva and Alice were born in PA. The other children were born in IA.

Amos was a tailor and teamster. Cyrus seems to have been a renaissance man, capable of doing many jobs and doing them well. He was a cabinet maker, an early justice of the peace, and was employed in the real estate and banking office of J. B. Edmunds & Co. in Spencer during 1880-1886. He spent 10 years in the Recorder's Office of Winneshiek Co., 4 years as deputy and 6 years as County Recorder. He also spent some time in the Treasurer’s Office. Cyrus was actively involved with the G.A.R. and the Masonic fraternity.

During the Civil War Amos served in Company D, 6th Regiment Iowa Cavalry. His son Albert served in Company D, 6th Iowa Cavalry. Cyrus served in Company D, 3rd Iowa Infantry. Their father James was a Colonel in the War of 1812 and their grandfather Neil McKay was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Amos, Cyrus and Albert all applied for and received a pension based on their military service. When Mrs. Anna P Johnson, widow of Paul Johnson, learned that her application for a Civil War pension had been denied, Cyrus wrote to Knute Nelson, Senator from Iowa, on her behalf explaining the problem and why he thought Mrs. Johnson was entitled to receive a pension. Senator Nelson introduced a bill in Congress which was favorably acted upon enabling her to receive her pension. Approval was also required by the House of Representatives, the House bill handled by Mr. Updegraff.

Amos McKay died 1 May 1903. His wife Elizabeth died 22 Nov 1899. Cyrus died 27 Dec 1897. His wife Livia Anne died 22 Nov 1915. All are buried in the Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.

Albert McKay, son of Amos, married Amanda J. Merrian 21 Oct 1874 in Decorah, IA. He was a long time employee of the Decorah Republican. He started to work for the newspaper 7 May 1857. He removed to Olympia, WA about 1901 where he died 2 Mar 1911. His children included Cora (b. 12 Aug 1875); Alberta (b. 10 Feb 1877); Ida Belle (b. 25 Aug 1878); Elizabeth Myrtle (b. 10 Mar 1883); Bessie Olive (b. 24 Sep 1887); and Amanda Mable (b. 12 Dec 1891). Della McKay married first Ira L. Hard 9 Oct 1867 and later Lewis Holcomb 13 Mar 1881, both marriages occurring in Decorah. She died 12 Apr 1920. Her children included Clara Belle (b. Aug 1868) and Ada Viola (b. Oct 1870). Margaret McKay married Sidney E. Tubbs 24 Dec 1867, also in Decorah and Lucy McKay married a Mr. West, later living in Superior, Wl.

Arthur McKay, son of Cyrus, remained single. He died 12 Jun 1930 in San Diego, CA. Eva McKay married William T Bowen 9 Oct 1872. She died 20 Oct 1929 in San Diego. Her children included Arthur, Eva, Emily, William (b. 26 May 1880) and Jessie. Alice McKay married Rush A. Eddy 27 Jun 1876. Her children included Rush and Clifford. They lived in Mason City, IA. Frank McKay died 7 Jan 1949 in Santa Ana, CA. He was a letter carrier in Minneapolis until his retirement in 1924 when he removed to CA. His wife Elma died 20 Jan 1948. Their children in