McConnell - Ira
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, April 11, 1919
Ira McConnell, long a resident of Montgomery county, Indiana, died at the Danville, Illinois soldiers home on March 30, 1919. He was born at Cedarsville, Ohio on October 29, 1842. In early life he moved with his parents to near Dunkirk, Indiana, where he lived until he enlisted in the civil war, he served with special distinction throughout the war. He took part with his regiment in many of the severest battles of that war, being in the 124th Indiana volunteer infantry. He graduated from Walbash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, in the class of 1873, being the same class with Vice President Thomas R. Marshall. He was married in 1878 to Hettie D. Powers and made Crawfordsville, Indiana his home almost entirely until his death. He was elected several terms, county surveyor of Montgomery county, Indiana, and was noted over many counties as an expert civil engineer.
He superintended the building of the first system of free gravel roads in Montgomery county, and was called to many adjoining counties to act in the same capacity. He was a prodigious worker. Working on the roads, bridges and land surveying through the day and far into the night in his office. this constant industry, both mental and physical, broke down his health in later life and he lived the life of a recluse, but at the same time remembered many of the good friends of his active earlier life. Four children preceded him in death, Fred, Eva J. and two in infancy. He leaves three brothers, Fernando McConnell of Bellfountain, Ohio, Joseph and Charles of Dunkirk, Indiana and one sister, Victoria McConnell of Richmond, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. McConnell went to the Danville, Illinois, soldiers home for treatment in February of this year, where he died March 30, 1919. His remains were brought here and many of his more intimate friends attended his funeral conducted by Rev. Chester W. Wharton of the Center Presbyterian church of this city, his comrades of the civil war acting as pall bearers. He was buried on his lot already prepared by him in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of his four children. - thanks to Kim H