J. E. McConaughy facts for kids

J. E. McConaughy (born Julia Eliza Loomis; January 1, 1834 – August 29, 1885) was an American writer from the 1800s. She used the name J. E. McConaughy as her pen name, which is a special name a writer uses instead of their real name. Julia was very important in writing religious stories and articles during her time.

She wrote many short articles and helped create materials for Sunday schools. She also wrote 14 books and about 8,000 articles for 75 different magazines and newspapers! People loved her writing so much that her articles were often copied and shared in papers across the United States and even in England. One editor, who worked with many famous writers, said that Julia was the only writer whose articles he never turned down. She always chose to write for religious papers, even if other papers offered more money, because her main goal was to share religious messages.

Early Life and Education

Julia Eliza Loomis was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, on January 1, 1834. Her family had Puritan roots, which means they came from a group known for their strong religious beliefs. Her parents were both from Connecticut. Her father, Elisha Loomis, moved from New Haven, Connecticut, to Ohio in 1817. He was one of the first people to settle in the Western Reserve area.

From the age of seven, Julia loved to read. When she was ten, she broke her ankle in a carriage accident. This meant she had to stay home for several months. This time at home helped her love for reading grow even more. She found a library in a neighbor's attic, filled with old newspapers, magazines, and some books like Waverley. Julia spent her first twelve years living on a farm. Then, her family moved to Hudson, Ohio.

In Hudson, Julia attended the Hudson Female Seminary. Her teacher, Miss Mary Strong, greatly influenced Julia's interest in religion. When she was fourteen, Julia joined the Congregational Church in Hudson.

Career

While she was still studying, Julia became an assistant teacher at Miss Strong's seminary. For several years, she taught there and at the village school. She also taught at a new seminary that took over from Miss Strong's, and then at the High School in Akron, Ohio. Later, she became the Lady Principal at a school in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she was in charge of running the school.

When she was 24, Julia married Rev. Nathaniel McConaughy in New York City on June 14, 1868. Soon after, they moved to Millville, New Jersey, which was her home for eight years. As a minister's wife, she took on many duties. She led ladies' prayer meetings, helped with Sunday School, and taught Bible classes. She was also involved in many Christian and charity activities, like visiting the sick, helping the poor, and organizing good deeds. After Millville, she lived for two years in Swedesboro, New Jersey, before moving to Elwood, New Jersey.

Julia started writing short newspaper articles for the press when she was 21. She continued writing until her death. Her very first article, called “Learning Hymns,” was published in the New York Evangelist in 1855.

Even as her family grew, she kept writing. For 30 years, she wrote articles, often one a day, for many religious magazines and newspapers. Some of these included The Presbyterian, The New York Evangelist, and The Sunday School Times. She also wrote for publications from groups like the American Tract Society and the Sunday School Union. All her writings aimed to share a Christian message.

She also wrote for many family-friendly literary magazines that had a religious focus. These included Arthur's Home Magazine and The Ladies' Home Journal. She even wrote for farming journals like The New England Farmer and The Rural New Yorker. At the time of her death, she was in charge of the "Household Department" for The Farm and Garden. Julia also wrote for several magazines for young people, such as The Schoolday Visitor and The Little Corporal.

Julia wrote at least 8,000 articles for over 75 different papers and magazines. On top of that, she wrote fourteen books, all for young readers. Some of her book titles include Archie at the Seaside, Minnie's Thinking Cap, and Capital for Working Boys.

Later Life and Death

In her later years, as her own sons grew into young men, Julia became very interested in helping young men. She started writing many articles specifically for them. She wrote a weekly article for the Clerk's Department of The American Grocer. These articles were very popular, and she received many letters from clerks who appreciated her writing.

Julia also joined the "Shut-in-Band," an idea started by Jennie Maria Drinkwater Conklin. Even though Julia was suffering from a painful illness that would eventually lead to her death, she became a member. She wrote many letters to sick people (called invalids) to cheer them up and make their lives brighter. After she passed away, people found the addresses of 44 invalids she had written to. These were all strangers to her, living all over the country.

Julia's final illness began on June 23, 1885, but she had been suffering for seven years. The disease she died from had started about 20 years earlier. She had several operations over time, which helped her live longer. Julia died at her home in Somerville, New Jersey, on August 29, 1885. She was buried in the Somerville Cemetery.

Selected Works