Clifford L. McEnelly, operator of the Machine Tile Press of Fertile and thus a very active factor in industrial circles of that city, was born in Fertile township on the 1st of September, 1892, a son of George and Jane (Booth) McEnelly. The father is a native of Vermont, while the mother's birth occurred near Mineral Point, Wisconsin. In young manhood George McEnelly left the Green Mountain state and removed westward to Iowa, settling in Fertile township, Worth county, where he purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. The district was then wild and unimproved and all the new settlers had to face the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Mr. McEnelly made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, on which he built a log house. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began the development of the fields. His plowing was done with oxen in the early days but as the years passed he added all modern equipment and improvements to his farm, which he continued to operate until 1902. He then bought a small farm in Fertile township and practically retired from active business, having just enough land to engage his attention when he feels in the mood for work. He has now reached the age of seventy-three years, while his wife is sixty-eight years of age. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, of which he has ever been an earnest supporter. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has been called upon to serve in various positions of public honor and trust. He held the office of deputy sheriff of Worth county and at all times he has stood for progressiveness in public affairs. During the period of the Civil war he was on a hospital boat in the United States service on the Allegheny and Mississippi rivers. His wife came to Iowa in early girlhood with her parents, who settled in Cerro Gordo county, where Mr. Booth purchased farmland, which he continued to cultivate for a number of years. He then sold that property and removed to Fertile township, Worth county, spending his remaining days in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George McEnelly.

     Upon the old homestead farm in Fertile township Clifford L. McEnelly remained through the period of his boyhood and youth and early became familiar with all phases of farm life and work, but he did not desire to make agriculture his life occupation and on leaving home entered the employ of the Fertile Clay & Peat Company of Fertile, with which he remained for three years. He afterward again spent some time on the home farm and later became associated with the Hegney Cement & Tile Company. He has since remained with that firm and is now operator of the machine tile press, thus filling an important and responsible position.

     In 1917 Mr. McEnelly was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Calhoun, a daughter of Oren and Celia (Halverson) Calhoun. Mrs. McEnelly was born in Miller, Iowa, where her parents had settled in pioneer times. Later they removed to Clear Lake, where Mr. Calhoun engaged in the implement business, and at a subsequent date he took up his abode in Fertile township, Worth county, where he is now cultivating a farm. Mr. and Mrs. McEnelly are well known young people of Fertile and enjoy the warm regard of those who know them, while the hospitality of the best homes of the community is freely accorded them. Mr. McEnelly votes with the Republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon other interests.

 

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland