McConnell - Ira
Source: 1878 Montgomery County, Indiana Atlas p 54
McCONNELL, Ira, PO Crawfordsville, Co. Surveyor native of
Greene Co, Ohio and settled in this county in 1864.
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Source: Whoops, missed it - probably Beckwith, H.W. History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Chicago: HH Hill, 1881.
IRA McCONNELL came, some generations back, from Ireland, and
settled in Pennsylvania, while the Beemeri; hail from Germany.
Robert and Eliza (Beemer) McConnell were natives of Ohio. Mr.
McConnell became a wagon and carriage manufacturer and carried
on quite an extensive business in Cedarville for twenty-one
years. In 1849 he moved to Jay County, Indiana, and engaged in
farming. In 1879, while attempting to shift a log on a log-wagon,
the heavy timber rolled on him, causing his death. He was
class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also a
licensed preacher, and was very conscientious and a careful
teacher of his children. When in the carriage business he
discharged a workman because he swore in the presence of the
children, and another because he discovered a bottle of liquor in
his tool-chest. He was very indulgent to his family. Ira, one
Sunday, asked him to make a top. Mr. McConnell whittled the top,
and handing it to the boy, said, "Ira, you have caused me to do
wrong by asking me to do this on Sunday."
The boy will never
forget the occurrence. Mr. McConnell was an abolitionist prior to
the war, and afterward a republican. His wife is still living,
and a member of the Methodist Church. Ira, son of the above, was
born October 29, 1842, in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio. At the
age of sixteen he left home and hired out to support himself,
having but $1 in his pocket, first working for his board. He
stayed one year at Xenia, then came to Boone County, Indiana,
with his uncle, and labored on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted at the
first call for three-months men. He was three times rejected on
account of ill health. At last, when Hovey's division was called,
he gained admittance to the ranks of Co. G, 24th Ind. Vols.,
under Capt. A. C. Teal. He fought at the battles of Resaca,
Buzzard's Roost, with Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta, then
with Thomas at Frankfort and Nashville, taking part in thirteen
engagements.
After his discharge he worked among stock for a time
at Muncie, and next read law with William Brotherton and Judge
March, of Muncie, one year, but concluding to master a literary
course he studied one year at the academy of that place. He then
attended Wabash College one year, keeping "bachelor's hall,' and
finished a classical course in 1872. He earned his way by doing
all kinds of work, much of it by wood sawing. During much of the
time his health was poor, but his tenacity to purpose impelled
him onward and seemed to sustain him. Thus he finished his seven
years' course, having had $90 to start with, and having borrowed
$100. Leaving college he read law with Major Walter one year,
then went in the office of Kennedy & Brush, at
Crawfordsville, soon acted as civil engineer and sheriff's
bailiff and in 1876 was elected County surveyor, in which
capacity, together with his duties of civil engineer, he has
served ever since.
He was married October 29, 1878, to Hettie D.,
daughter of William and Priscilla Powers, an old family of
Crawfordsville. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr.
McConnell is a solid republican and a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic. - typed by kbz