[p. 467] a prominent citizen and representative agriculturist of Pulaski Township, operating his own farm of 155 acres, and that of his wife, which contains ninety acres, was born in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1851, and is a son of John and Martha C. (Smith) McConahy.
The McConahy family is of Scotch extraction and it was founded in Western Pennsylvania by Robert McConahy, the grandfather. He was a pioneer in Pulaski Township and when he came had to clear a site in the big woods on which to build his log cabin. There he reared his family and lived to the end of his days.
The father of Zenas W. McConahy, Rev. John McConahy, was one of the best known, respected and beloved men of his time in this section. He was born in the little log cabin, grew up amid pioneer surroundings and spent his life visiting widely separated communities, traveling on horseback and performing the duties of a pastor of the Baptist Church. He had settled charges at Hillsville, Sharon and other places, but calls came to him which he never disregarded, to visit many a lonely cabin and isolated farm. He died from an attack of typhoid fever, in his forty-seventh year. He was a strong Abolitionist in his earlier years and later was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He married Martha C. Smith, was was[sic] born at Columbus, Ohio, and two of their children survive: Mary V., who is the wife of John F. Mitchell, of Pulaski Township, and Zenas W.
Zenas W. McConahy was reared to manhood in Pulaski Township and there was mainly educated. On June 12, 1879, he was married to Miss Mary E. Fulkman, who was born in Pulaski Township, June 3, 1860. She is a daughter of John N. and Jane (Paden) Fulkman, the former of whom was born in Pulaski Township and the latter in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. John N. Fulkman died November 27, 1907, but his widow survives and is a beloved member of Mr. McConahy's family. The grandfather of Mrs. McConahy was Christopher Fulkman, who was born in Germany. He was a well educated man both in German and in English, and later held office in Pulaski Township. He married Sarah Standly, who was of English extraction, and had relatives in the ranks of the English nobility.
Mr. and Mrs. McConahy have had four children, namely: Rose M., who is deceased; Chauncey F., John Q., and Maud L., who is the wife of Herbert Hoover and resides at New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. McConahy are members of the Pulaski Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the order of the Knights of Maccabees, at Pulaski.
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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