[p. 767] one of New Castle's leading contractors who has also had a large experience in the lumber business, has been a resident of this city for a number of years but still retains his farm in Hickory Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1856.
The father of Mr. McConahy, bearing also the name of William, was a native of Ireland and was sixteen years of age when he landed in the harbor of New York city. He lived in the great metropolis for four years and then came to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He acquired a farm in Hickory Township and he followed farming and lumbering through his active years. He died in 1875, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. McConahy's mother was Anna Martin, a daughter of John Martin, one of Lawrence County's pioneers.
The present William McConahy spent his early life on the home farm and attended the country schools. Prior to starting out to visit many sections of the country to buy timber, he engaged, for several years, in a sawmill and lumber business on the homestead. Later he purchased many acres of standing timber and did a large amount of buying of walnut timber for the export trade. He continued in the business after moving to New Castle, but later became mainly interested in general contracting, subsequently becoming senior member of the firm of McConahy & Martin, one which has done extensive contracting all over the city and in parts adjacent.
On June 28, 1893, Mr. McConahy was married to Miss Hattie Gail McKee, daughter of Dr. C. W. McKee, who was born in Armstrong County, and they have two children: Cleo A. and Minnie Amanda.
Mr. McConahy is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Hoo-Hoo Club, and also of the Lumbermen's Association. He is a representative citizen, loyal, enterprising and public spirited.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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