OBIT: Matthew McCONNELL, 1846, Martha Furnace, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _________________________________________ DIED, At Martha Furnace, Centre county, on the 18th March, 1846, in the 60th year of his age, Major Matthew McConnell. The deceased, was the son of the late Major Matthew McConnell of the City of Philadelphia, who in his life time was an officer in the Revolutionary Army, he was for many years a member of the "First City Troop" in the Volunteer Cavalry of the city of Philadelphia; a Company that under the command of its gallant officer Capt. Ross, tendered a services to the President of the United States at a time when that city was anticipating an attack from the British Army during the last war with England. The services of the "Troop" were accepted and they were stationed as a corps of Videttes, from "Mount Bull" (if my memory serves me, a prominent point, on the line toward Baltimore) to their city; and rendered much valuable, and arduous service to their country, in all of which the deceased, performed a faithful, and active part. After the war he resided a few years in Indiana county, afterward in Cambria, where he was elected a Major of Militia. Subsequently he removed to this county; and wherever known, he was always esteemed for his sterling, and unbending integrity. In the winter of 1841-2 he became a member of the Washington Temperance Society; and through all the remainder of his life, the same integrity and consistency which had marked his precious life, shone untarnished in the cause of Temperance; he had entered that army for life, and he went down to the tomb his armor still upon him. For the last year he has been a member of Standing Stone Division of Sons of Temperance; and at the time of his death was acting P. W. P. of the Order. - In every position he faithfully and devotedly performed every duty incumbent upon him. During the last season he went to Virginia, on the Banks of the Potomac,--there he contracted a fever, which has apparently lingered in his system, until silenced by the chillness of Death. B. Huntingdon Journal, Wednesday, March 25, 1846