My Genealogy Hound

William L. Connevey, merchant, and county and circuit clerk of Lafayette County. The subject of this sketch has been so prominently identified with the interests of Lafayette County, as to render him well and favorably known, while his official career has demonstrated him to be one of the most capable and efficient of public servants, whose integrity and honesty of purpose are unquestioned. He was born at Columbia, Mo., in 1853, the fourth child born to W. L. and Louisa J. (Herndon) Connevey, the former a native of Virginia, and a graduate of Washington Lee University; the latter was born in Arkansas, and received her education in Florence, Ala. Mr. Connevey came to Missouri some time in the forties, and engaged in the newspaper business, first buying the Howard County Advertiser of John B. Clark, M. C, and afterward establishing the Sturgeon Leader. He also practiced law in Centralia, Mo. In 1876 he came to this State, and engaged in school teaching until his death in 1878. His widow still survives and lives in Texarkana. The subject of this sketch received a good education at the public schools of Fayette and Sturgeon, and at the age of seventeen years he entered the arena of life as a newspaper man at Sturgeon and Fayette, and later at Columbia, where he was foreman in the Herald office for some time. On account of ill health he left his native State in 1876, going to Texas, thence to Arkansas, where he remained two years, living in various places, and in 1878 came to this county. He settled at Lewisville, and entered the office of the well-known Maj. J. B. Burton, and read law about twelve months, when he was appointed deputy county clerk of this county, in which capacity he served for four years under B. P. Wheat. While serving in this capacity he was elected to the office of sheriff and collector, which office he filled for four years. In 1888 he was elected county and circuit clerk, and is now filling this position to the satisfaction of all. In 1889 he, in partnership with Mr. J. A. Hoffman, embarked in mercantile pursuits at this place, and they do a general merchandise business of $35,000, and employ four clerks. In 1884, at Prescott, Ark., he was united in marriage to Miss Emma F., daughter of W. C. and Ann (Parr) Hatley, natives of Arkansas and Tennessee, respectively, and the fruits of this union have been two children—Carl and Louise. Mr. Connevey belongs to Lewisville Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M., and also Lewisville Lodge No. 57, K. of P.