Charles L. McGonigle was born in
Junaitta County, Pa., on the 11th day of February, 1836,
a son of Bartimeus and Catherine (McDonald) McGonigle,
who married about 1831, and were the parents of nine
children, five living--Charles L., Clamanda C., John H.,
William A. and Amanda M. In 1839 the family emigrated to
Linn County, Ia., and located near Center Point, being
among the pioneers of that place. In 1847 they came to
Clayton County and located on section 11, Monona
Township, where Mr. McGonigle entered land and engaged
extensively in farming. In 1853 he went to California,
where he was engaged in mining, and remained there until
his death, which occurred in 1868. Mrs. McGonigle is
still living in Elkader, Ia. Mr. McGonigle was active in
politics in an early day, and was elected as one of the
first County Commissioners of Linn County; he was also a
candidate for the Legislature. The subject of this memoir
was reared on his father's farm and received a liberal
education. At the age of twenty-four he commenced
teaching school, which he followed a number of years. In
June, 1864, he married Helen Barnes, a daughter of Isaac
and Harriet (Churchill) Barnes. She was born June 30,
1846. By this union there are four children--Effie L., Mc
B., Linnie C. and Bart C., who died Febrary 21, 1867. In
the spring of 1867, Mr. McGonigle embarked in the
mercantile business in company with Silas Egbort *, which
occupation he followed until 1876, when he was elected
County Recorder. Mr. McGonigle has sixty-five acres of
beautiful land adjoining Monona, valued at $60 per acre. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1050 *Egbert |