David McConaughy facts for kids

David McConaughy (born July 13, 1823 – died January 14, 1902) was an important lawyer, state senator, and community leader in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He also worked as a part-time spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War. David McConaughy was key in creating the Gettysburg National Cemetery after the famous Battle of Gettysburg. He also worked hard to protect the Gettysburg Battlefield for people to visit in the future.

Early Life and Education

David McConaughy's family came from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania in 1712. His family was one of the first and most important families in Adams County. David was the youngest of six children. His father died when David was only four years old, so he was raised by other families.

He went to Gettysburg College from 1834 to 1838. Then, he moved to Washington College. His uncle, who was also named David McConaughy, was the president there. After finishing college in 1840, David became the principal of a high school in Maryland for two years.

Becoming a Lawyer and Community Leader

After teaching, McConaughy studied law with Thaddeus Stevens, a famous person who was against slavery. Soon, David became a lawyer in Adams County. He was also active in politics, first with the Whig Party.

He helped start the Gettysburg chapter of the YMCA, which is a youth organization. He often held talks to raise money for the YMCA, and they often met at a place called "McConaughy's Hall." From 1853 to 1863, he was the president of the Evergreen Cemetery. He helped build its well-known brick gatehouse on Cemetery Hill. Later, he joined the new Republican Party. He helped choose who would run for president in 1860 and strongly supported President Abraham Lincoln.

Role in the Civil War

When the Civil War began in 1861, McConaughy started a group of civilian scouts called the "Adams Rifles." He was their captain. This group, mostly made up of his law clients, watched the area for signs of Confederate soldiers. They were very busy in June 1863, just before the Battle of Gettysburg. They followed Confederate cavalry and infantry groups.

McConaughy gave this important information to the local military leader, Maj. Granville O. Haller. This information then went to Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch and Governor Andrew Curtin in Harrisburg. McConaughy stayed in Gettysburg when the Confederates were there in early July, still helping the Union soldiers. After the battle, Colonel George H. Sharpe sent McConaughy a letter from Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, thanking him for the crucial information about enemy movements.

Creating the National Cemetery

A year before the Battle of Gettysburg, McConaughy had an idea for a Soldiers' Cemetery next to Evergreen Cemetery. At that time, not many soldiers had died, so there wasn't enough support for the idea. After the battle, thousands of Union soldiers were killed. McConaughy asked Elizabeth Thorn, whose husband was away fighting, to bury nearly 100 soldiers in Evergreen Cemetery.

Within six weeks, McConaughy started working to create a National Cemetery. This would be a central place to bury the thousands of Union soldiers who had died. He had already talked to the landowners nearby, so he was able to buy 17 acres (about 69,000 square meters) of land north of Evergreen Cemetery. This stopped another lawyer, David Wills, from buying the land for the state of Pennsylvania. McConaughy even used his own money to buy parts of Cemetery Hill. He also asked veterans to help pay.

The National Cemetery was officially opened on November 19, 1863. This ceremony included Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address. McConaughy then left his role at Evergreen Cemetery to help start the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. He was its first president for ten years. He also helped elect Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election.

After the War

After the Civil War, McConaughy served as a state senator for Adams and Franklin counties. He asked artist Peter F. Rothermel to paint a famous picture of the Battle of Gettysburg. In August 1869, McConaughy organized a reunion for soldiers who fought at Gettysburg. They shared their stories and helped find specific historic spots on the battlefield.

David McConaughy was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.