My Genealogy Hound

DAVID McCONACHIE, a leading business man of Sparta, is also the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres of land in Randolph County, which valuable property has been acquired through his indomitable interest and good management. He is also largely engaged in shipping stock, and a man of enterprise, he has taken an active part in the development of this county, and has been a prominent factor in the promotion of various important matters.

David McConachie, the father of our subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1800, and emigrated to America in 1848, landing in New Orleans. Thence he made his way up the Mississippi River and lived for some time in Chester, but later moved on a farm five miles south of Sparta, where he resided until a few years prior to his decease. He was a farmer by occupation, and died while living in Sparta in 1885. He had received a good English education, and on coming to America had sufficient means to purchase a quarter-section of land. He was a member of the Convenanter Church in his native land, and when he died, in 1885, it was felt by all who knew him that a good man had gone to his final reward. The paternal grandfather of our subject, David McConachie, also a native of County Antrim, was a prosperous farmer, and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and eight years.

Mrs. Violet (Hunter) McConachie, the mother of our subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1816, and was one in a family of six children, whose parents lived and died in the Emerald Isle. Eleven children were included in the parental family of our subject, namely: John H., David (of this sketch), Violet H., Robert C., Eliza Jane, William A., Jennie, Alexander, Ann, Thomas and James. His first wife having died, the father of our subject was married in 1881 to Mrs. Elizabeth Holliday, who departed this, life in April, 1893.

David McConachie, who was born February 11, 1834, in County Antrim, Ireland, accompanied his parents at the time of their emigration to America, and remained at home until 1852. He had been given a good common-school education, and when reaching his eighteenth year began to earn his own money by working out on farms. He was thus employed only for a twelve month, when he rented and cultivated land on his own account. In addition to tilling the soil, he operated a threshing machine until 1861, and in that year, the Civil War being in progress, he bought and sold Government cattle, horses and mules. Mr. McConachie was thus employed until the close of the war, when he engaged in the mercantile business in company with his father-in-law, A. P. Foster, which connection lasted for two years. At the end of that time our subject again began dealing in stock, this time shipping mules to Mississippi, in which branch of business he has been engaged for the past twenty-five years.

The lady who became the wife of our subject April 22, 1862, was Miss Eliza Foster, a native of this county. She is a well educated lady and the daughter of A. P. and Mary (Crawford) Foster, the former of whom came to this section as early as 1832 from South Carolina. His first location was made on a farm ten miles south of Sparta, which he continued to operate until 1846, when he removed to Preston and engaged in the mercantile business for one summer. Later he became identified with the business interests of Chester, forming a partnership with Alexander Beard. In the year 1851, however, he returned to his farm, and after two years spent there, Mr. Foster went again to Chester and operated a general store until 1854. In that year he came to Sparta, and here made his home until 1869, whence he went to Shiloh. Later, he made his home in Oakdale, and on returning to Sparta departed this life, February 11, 1871. In early life a Democrat, he later voted with the Republican party, and was a man who kept himself thoroughly posted on the issues of the hour. He served as County Judge of Randolph County in 1848, and was a popular and gifted man. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and aided greatly in the spread of the Gospel in this section. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. McConachie were James and Ann (Morrow) Foster, natives of Ireland and the United States, respectively. The former on coming to the United States with his family made his home in South Carolina.

Of the three children born to our subject and his wife, we make the following mention: Lauros G. is engaged as a teacher in the Rugby school in Philadelphia. He is a finely educated young man, is a graduate of Knox College at Galesburg, and has been a student in the Pennsylvania University, also in the Johns Hopkins University. William E., the second son of our subject, is engaged in business in Sparta, and Mary V., who is a graduate of the Sparta High School, remains at home with her parents.

While his private affairs naturally receive the major part of his time and attention, yet Mr. McConachie is interested in public affairs and in principle and belief is a Republican. His wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is foremost in aiding religious and benevolent enterprises.