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Mr. Conaway was born in Ohio, in 1836, being the son of Jesse and Nancy Conaway, natives of Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and remained at the native place working on a farm until 1859, in which year he went overland across weary plains and rugged mountains to California, where he mined for three years and then returned via the isthmus to his home. In 1864, he outfitted with horses and mules, and made the trip across the plains again, this time coming to Union county. In 1865, he packed back towards the states and lost his entire band of stock by hostile Indians. He remained in the sates two years and then, not to be daunted, outfitted again, this time with mule and horse teams also, and turned once more toward the setting sun. In due time he reached Union county and sold his horses for six hundred dollars apiece to the stage company. Two years were spent in the valley and then he journeyed on to Weston, Washington, where he was numbered with the leading farmers for sixteen years and then he returned to Union county and here he has been ever since. At the present time he is living seven and one-half miles southeast from Lagrande and devotes his time to both farming and following his trade, that of plasterer and stone mason. He has labored faithfully for the welfare of all, is a good citizen, and has the esteem of his fellows.

In Illinois, on March 12, 1868, Mr. Conaway married Miss Miranda Lent, and to this union there have been born nine children named as follows: Norah, Lydia, Rex, Jeremiah, Arthur, John and Evalena, besides two, Minnie and Clement who are deceased.