Born in 1827, John McInteer immigrated to the United States from Ireland alone as a boy, first settling in Philadelphia and then later in Indiana. He learned the trade of harness-making while in Indiana. In the early 1860s, John heard of the opportunities existing in the West and moved to Kansas where he set up a house in Doniphan County.

John McInteer started a small shop in Atchison where he manufactured harnesses and saddles. His products became well-known for their craftsmanship and he did a great amount of business with the wagon trains making their way across the country. His business was so successful that had to enlarge his facilities and manufacture his products on a large scale. The wealth he accumulated was invested in Atchison, Kansas real estate as well as in nearby St. Joseph, Missouri. He also erected several business blocks in Atchison.

Constructed in 1889-1890 for John McInteer, the McInteer Villa is one of Atchison's most unique residences. At the time, the estimated cost to build the mansion was $14,000.00. Though the architect has not been identified, the builder was Owen E. Seip, a long-time Atchison contractor.

John was married twice. His first wife, Alice Conley, died in 1892. He married his second wife, Anna Conlon, in 1895. She was a window with three sons. After John died in 1902, Anna continued to live in the mansion until she died in 1916. During her ownership, the Villa was home to large numbers of her Conlon relatives, including many children. From 1916-1925, her brother - Judge Charles J. Conlon, a prominent Atchison lawyer - and his family made McInteer Villa their home.

For the next 25 years, the mansion served as a rooming house. In 1952 the McInteer Villa was purchased by Ms. Isobel Altus, a retired professional violinist. According to her neighbors, she was also an eccentric. Lacking the financial resources to follow through on her desire to restore the house, Isobel sold the Villa to George Gerardy who started the rehab work on the large, brick building. Isobel died in 1969.

To this day, the McInteer Villa is still one of the most unusual and picturesque houses to grace Atchison, Kansas.