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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Charles C. McConkey To the strong, defeats are but milestones on the highway to victory. This truth seems to have been borne out by Charles C. McConkey, one of Jasper county's progressive citizens and an honored representative of one of her old pioneer families, members of which have done a great deal in various ways in contributing to the general development of this favored section of the great Hawkeye state. Mr. McConkey has never permitted obstacles to down him or turn him aside when once he has determined upon a legitimate course of action, and therefore he has succeeded in his life work. Mr. McConkey was born May 18, 1872, in this county; and he is the son of Cobane and Sarah J. (Read) McConkey, early settlers of Jasper county. The paternal grandfather was Samuel McConkey. Cobane McConkey was a native of Ohio, born near Hopedale, Harrison County. When a young man he went to Virginia and was married there by Alexander Campbell, founder of the Campbellite Church at Bethany. Cobane McConkey devoted his life to farming and in 1853 he brought his young wife to Scott County, Iowa, where they engaged in farming two years. He then moved to Jasper County and bought one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Newton Township, which he retained up to the time of his death, having improved it into a splendid farm. He spent his last years in retirement in Newton and died there in 1896 at the age of seventy-four years. He was a good man and had the respect of all who knew him. His widow survives, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Sumner E. Gates, just north of the city of Newton. The son, Charles C., was one of ten children, two of whom died in infancy; the others are Margaret I. Gates, widow of Sumner E. Gates, a prominent Jasper county citizen, his death having occurred in 1900; their sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Jane McConkey, who became the wife of Frank Graham, is now deceased; Alice married John Munn, of Newton Township; Edward died when seventeen years old; Mary died at the age of nineteen; Lillie married Bert Beatty, of Newton township; William remained single and died when twenty-nine years old. Charles C. McConkey attended the common schools, also Hazel Dell Academy two years. He began life for himself when about sixteen years of age, doing various things whereby he could earn honest money, but most of his labors were confined to the farm. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which he has followed practically ever since. On June 28, 1893, Mr. McConkey was united in marriage with Alice Stuver, who was born in Iowa in October 1874, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Palmer) Thomas. When but a small child she was legally adopted by Aaron and Josephine Stuver, who had no children of their own. She has two sisters living, Mrs. Sarah Davis and Mrs. Zoa King, both in Colorado. When but a girl of sixteen she taught school two years, being married at the age of eighteen. Not long after they were married Mr. and Mrs. McConkey moved to Brule county, South Dakota, where they purchased a quarter section of land, which they disposed of a few years later and returned to Jasper County, locating on the old home place, which Mr. McConkey farmed for two years, then moved to the city of Newton and followed the carpenter's trade until the desire for a change again seized him; thus three years later he moved his family to Chickasha, Grady county, Oklahoma; but he returned to Jasper county in 1909, since which time he has been following his trade, being very successful as a contractor and builder. He is regarded as a high-grade workman and his contract jobs are always turned out quickly and well done. Mr. and Mrs. McConkey are the parents of four children, namely: Charles Harold, born in August 1905; Bertram, born in 1897, died in infancy; Edward, born in May 1902; Margaret, born in May 1909. Mr. McConkey has been very successful in a business way and he is now the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land in Kaddo county, Oklahoma. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic lodge in Newton, and he is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in Brule County, South Dakota, and of the Relief Association of Oklahoma, No. 59. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 458. |
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