Idaho Daily Statesman Sept 29, 1923
David McConnel, Pioneer of 1862, At Trail's End
Veteran Indian Scout, Farmer and Stockman Dies at
Home on Mesa.
One of the earliest settlers of the Boise Valley, David K. McConnel, who came through Boise in 1862 and back to remain in 1863, died in Boise September 15. His life was close associated with that of the development of this valley. He was born near Dayton, O., August 12, 1838. His parents were William McConnel and Nancy Graham McConnel, both natives of Ohio. In 1849 he moved with his parents to Corydon, Ia., where he grew to manhood. A defect in his ankle led to his being refused as a volunteer at the beginning of the Civil war, and being discontented at home he decided to come west. He left Corydon in May, 1861, by ox team, traveling with one of the largest immigrant trains crossing the plains. Leaving Omaha, the train traveled by way of the old Oregon Trail through Ft. Laramie, Ft. Steele and Ft. Hall, reaching Boise Valley in August, 1862. This train disbanded where Baker City, Ore., now stands, Mr. McConnel going with that part of the train that went to Walla Walla, where he spent the winter of 1862-63, coming back to Boise valley the following summer, where he and Nathan Samms, another pioneer, formed a partnership, establishing a stock ranch on the north side of the Payette river near Emmett, which they occupied until 1865. During this time Mr. McConnel engaged in stock raising and hauling freight from the Umatilla landing on the Columbia River to Boise Basin mines. In 1866 their interests were moved to the Boise Valley, the partnership terminating soon after.
A little later he located three miles west of Caldwell where he lived, un- til 1879, when he moved his stock ranch to a point near old Fort Boise, at the mouth of the Boise river, on what is now known as McConnel Island, where he lived until the latter part of 1903, moving from here to his present home on the mesa, near Boise.
Indian Scout.
Mr. McConnel served in the capacity of scout during the Indian outbreaks in the early days in Idaho, always taking an active part in the political and public affairs of the country. He was an inhabitant of Boise Valley and vicinity for 61 years, watching the country grow from barren sage brush plains to its present state of civilization.
In 1871 Mr. McConnel went back to Iowa where he was married to Mary M. Rogers, September 28, 1871, with whom he lived for a period of 52 years, and who survives him. To this union seven children were born, five of whom survive. They are Mrs. John L. Isenberg, Fred H., and Mervin G., of Caldwell; Mrs. J. L. Watkins of Parma, and Margaret McConnel of Boise. Mr. McConnel was a member of a family of 11 brothers and one sister, five of the brothers and the sister surviving. They are as follows: Ben of Twin Falls, Frank of Pueblo, Colo, George of Milton, Ore, and Sam and Elmer of Boise, and and Mrs. Mary Lawson of Los Angeles, Cal. The brothers were all identified with the pioneer life of Idaho.
Mr. McConnel died September 15, 1923, at his home on the Mesa near Boise, at the age of 85 years and was buried September 18 in the Canyon Hill Cemetery at Caldwell, Idaho
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Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. - Thomas Jefferson