MATTHEW MCCONAUGHY, a well-known citizen of McDonald, Washington county, is a grandson of David McConaughy, who was born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland, and there married to a Miss Glissen. They came to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and made their first settlement in Chester county, Penn. In 1804 they moved by wagons across the mountains to Washington county, settling on a wild farm of 180 acres, part of the George Washington tract. Mr. McConaughy, was a mason by trade, and in 1812 built a stone house on the place, afterward following his vocation in this county. He and his wife reared the following children; John, David, Elizabeth and Alexander. In politics the father was Whig, and in religion a member of the first Seceder Church organized in Hickory, this county. Alexander McConaughy, father of subject, was born in 1799 in Chester county, Penn., and passed his early life in Chester and Washington counties, receiving a liberal subscription-school education. On April 19, 1832, he married Martha, daughter of Matthew Murdock, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was there married to Mary McElravy; they resided in Mercer county, Penn., for several years after their marriage, and then came to Washington county, where children were born to them as follows: Sarah, Robert, Ann, Elizabeth, David, Martha, Rebecca, Jane, Nancy and Mary. Politically Mr. McElravy was a Whig, in religion a member of the Associate Reformed Church. Alexander and Martha McConaughy made a permanent settlement on the home place in Washington county. Their children were David, Matthew, Mary A., Elizabeth, John, Alexander and Sarah J., three of whom are yet living- --Matthew, Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert T. McKibben) and Sarah J. Mr. McConaughy was a farmer and stock raiser, and in politics was formerly a Whig, then a Republican. He was first a member of the Seceder Church and then of the United Presbyterian Church. He died in 1870. Matthew McConaughy (the subject proper of this sketch) was born May 21, 1834. He is a representative citizen and an earnest supporter of church work. Politically he is a Republican, and in church connection is a member and trustee of the United Presbyterian Church of McDonald.

Text taken from page 642 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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