BIOGRAPHY: Davis McKane CONTNER, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 633.

  DAVIS MCKANE CONTNER, deceased, was born in Oliver township, Mifflin county, 
Pa., August 28, 1815, son of John and Nancy (Gibboney) Contner.  His father was 
a miller, and a resident of Mifflin county;  his mother, a daughter of Alexander 
Gibboney, died in early womanhood, leaving eight children:  George Washington;  
Jemima;  Ann;  John;  Elizabeth;  Gibboney;  William;  and Davis McKane.  Until 
the age of fourteen years, Davis McKane Contner spent his boyhood at home.  He 
was then placed under the care of Misses Elizabeth and Martha Kenney, of White 
Hall, Menno township.  Here he attended the district school, and assisted in the 
work of the farm, remaining with them until he was thirty years of age, when he 
began farming on his own account.  Later he again assumed the management of 
their land, and upon the death of Miss Elizabeth Kenney in 1874, the estate was 
bequeathed to him for faithful service rendered.  Mr. Contner devoted his time 
to his farming interests, and his careful attention and skilful management were 
rewarded with abundant success.  He always took an active interest in local 
affairs;  he was active in the organization and construction of the 
Kishacoquillas Valley Railroad.  Mr. Contner was a generous and public-spirited 
citizen and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.  He was active in political 
circles.  In 1848 he was elected sheriff by the Democratic party.  In 1863 he 
was elected to the same office by the Republicans.  He endorsed the platform on 
which Lincoln was elected, and adhered to the party until his death, which 
occurred January 3, 1889.  He held various township offices, served as jury 
commissioner, and frequently acted as administrator.  He was formerly a member 
of the board of directors of the Mifflin County National Bank.
  David McKane Contner was married to Mary Ann, daughter of David and Margaret 
(Kline) Charles.  Their children are:  Narcissa Kenney (Mrs. Harry B. Wharton);  
William, died aged twenty-one months;  and Mary Elmira (Mrs. James W. Fleming), 
who had one child, Harry Davis, born January 1, 1894.  Mr. Contner was a 
faithful member of the Lutheran church.
  Mrs. Contner was born in 1833.  Her father was a blacksmith of Liverpool, 
Perry county, where he died March 28, 1853, aged forty-seven years.  His wife 
survives him.  Their surviving children are:  Mary Ann;  Pamelia (Mrs. Valentine 
Arndt), has a family of sons and daughters;  Elmira (Mrs. James George), has two 
children;  and Catharine (Mrs. John Beigh), who has nine children.  Susan, 
Louisa and Caroline died in childhood.  Mr. Charles was a member of the United 
Brethren church, an earnest and faithful Christian.