David McConkey

    David McConkey, deceased, was one of the old and respected pioneers of Blackford County, coming here with his wife in April, 1840, when he settled on Section 10, Washington Township. Not a stick of timber had been cut on the place, and he made a rude shelter until he built his log cabin, and here he made a home form himself and family. Many were the hardships and privations endured by them in their pioneer home, but they lived to see the country change from a wilderness into well cultivated farms and thriving villages, and to enjoy the fruits of the years of toil.

    David McConkey was born in June, 1817, a son of James M. McConkey, who had come to Blackford County several years before our subject settled here, and had entered 160 acres for each of his sons. Mrs. David McConkey is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford County, a few months earlier than her husband, and is a daughter of John and Lovina (Reynolds) Perdue, both of whom were born in North Carolina. They came to Wayne County, Indiana, when Mrs. McConkey was a girl, where they lived until their death. Mr. Perdue was twice married, and by his first marriage had four children, all of whom are deceased. By his second marriage he had six sons and three daughters -Andrew, Addison, Abner (died of measles while in the Army), John M., George W., Alfred, Mrs. McConkey and two other daughters.

    Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. David McConkey, of whom the two eldest died in infancy unnamed. Their daughter Martha J. was born 3 August  1841, and died 25 December 1854; John was born 17 September 1844; Jasper, born 7 March 1847; Andrew J., born 31 July 1848; and Mary H., born 2 July 1852., and died in her twenty-ninth year. Mrs. McConkey still survives her husband, and is making her home with her son, Andrew J. in Washington Township.