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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Charles
H. Connelly No
longer than a half century ago the farmer of Jasper County was almost wholly
independent of every other business. He
raised practically all his food on his farm; his mother, wife or daughter made
the greater part of his clothing and required very few things from outside
sources. Even his boots and shoes
were made at his own home from his own leather, some times by himself and
sometimes by traveling shoemakers. The
first settlers here were far from any large trading center and he had little
time to spend on long
journeys, the work required in developing his farm from the raw prairies being
not only irksome but tedious, requiring close application.
As time progressed, however, he was obliged to relinquish much of his
labor to other artisans under a division of labor and a closer union of the
various industries. Now his shoes are made at one factory, his shirt at another,
his hat at another, his coat at another, and so on through his list of all he
wears and even to a portion of what he eats.
This is true in reference also to his farming implements, many of which
were homemade. It is a fact in
almost all communities today that the farmers, many of them, sell their hogs and
buy their bacon, sell their cattle and buy their beef, sell their wheat and buy
their flour, etc. Thus, while
the farmer is not so independent, he has greater advantages.
Such conditions, to some
extent, at least were familiar to Charles H. Connelly, now one of the leading
farmers of Independence Township, and they were not at all uncommon to his
father, who was one of our early pioneers.
He was born in Clyde, Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on May
6, 1869, and with the exception of a few months he has always resided in this
County, having been reared on the farm and educated in the public schools.
Twenty-two years ago he moved to Independence Township, where he has
resided continuously to the present day, his life having been devoted to
agricultural pursuits, and at present he is holding the responsible position of
County bridge foreman, being employed by the board of supervisors, having charge
of the bridge repairing and building of the northern district, and he is
performing these important duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon
himself and to the entire satisfaction of the board and to all concerned. Mr.
Connelly is the son of H. C. and Mary C. (Kline) Connelly, the father born in
Fulton County, Illinois, and he was fourteen or fifteen years old when he came
to Marshall County, Iowa, later coming to Jasper County. His death occurred in
Independence Township, on October 9, 1902. His wife was born near Hagerstown, Maryland and was a small
girl when she accompanied her parents to Iowa, the family locating in Clear
Creek Township. Her death
occurred in Independence Township, this County, on January 24, 1904. The father
of the subject proved his loyalty to the Union during the Civil War by enlisting
from Marshall County, in Company K, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in
August 1862, and he served with credit to himself and satisfaction of his
officers, serving until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. Eleven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Connelly, all in Clear Creek Township;
Cynthia, the eldest, died in infancy; Charles H., of this sketch; Mrs. Mary E.
Perrin, of Independence Township; W. W., of Des Moines; Mrs. Hattie A. Logan, of
Colfax, Iowa; F. D., who resides in Independence Township; Cyrus A., of Des
Moines; Rollie A., of Independence Township; Jessie B. died when four years of
age; Curtis M., of Independence Township; James died in infancy. Charles
H. Connelly was married on April 4, 1895, to Emma J. Adamson, who was born at
Adams Grove, south of Newton, April 20, 1865, and there she grew to womanhood,
was educated and has resided in this locality all her life.
Her parents, Henry and Mary J. (Baker) Adamson, were a well-known and
influential pioneer family here, the father having been born in Tennessee and he
died in Jasper County, Iowa, November 24; the mother was born in Indiana and she
died in Independence Township, this County, June 24, 1896. To
Mr. and Mrs. Connelly one son has been born, Alden M., born January 9, 1896, who
is now a student in the Baxter high school, and he is a lad of much promise. Politically, Mr. Connelly is a Republican and while he has never been especially active in public affairs, he has ever taken a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his County, always supporting such measures as made for the upbuilding of the locality honored by his residence. He owns a substantial, cozy and well-furnished home in Baxter. He has been very successful in his life work and has accumulated a competency. Although his primary schooling was not what he desired or should have obtained, he has, by actual contact with the world and by close study in a miscellaneous way at home, become well advised and is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 1358. |
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