WI BIO - Dane Co - McCONNELL, James
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, p 601

James McCONNELL, one of the representative citizens of Dane County, 
Wisconsin, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 22 Dec 1810, a son of William 
and Sarah (ARMSTRONG) McCONNELL, also natives of Ireland. The father was 
engaged in farming, both in his native country and in America, and both he 
and his wife are now deceased.

James McCONNELL, one of eight children, five sons and three daughters, came 
to America at the age of three years, locating in Philadelphia 
[Pennsylvania]. He received a good education, and at the age of 17 years 
began driving a stage from Pittsburg[h] to Erie, Pennsylvania, which he 
continued seven years. He was then engaged in freighting one year. In 1853 
Mr. McCONNELL bought 160 acres of land on section 7, Pleasant Springs 
Township [Dane County, Wisconsin], 35 acres of which was improved. His 
family followed him to Wisconsin the next year. Politically he affiliates 
with the Republican party, and religiously, the family are members of the 
Methodist Church.

James McCONNELL was married at Butler [Butler County], Pennsylvania, in 1839, 
to Salina BEAN, who was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, 27 Nov 1812, a 
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth BEAN, also natives of Pennsylvania. The 
father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, served as Postmaster of 
Greenville [probably the Greenville in Mercer County], Pennsylvania, and 
both he and his brother were soldiers in the War of 1812. Mrs. McCONNELL is 
the second of nine children. Two of her brothers reside in Iowa, and one in 
Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McCONNELL have six children: (1) 
Robert, a farmer of Verona Township, Dane County [Wisconsin]; (2) William, 
who served in the 23rd Wisconsin Regiment, and died while in the service of 
his country, in Tennessee; (3) James, who has charge of the home farm; (4) 
Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Albert WATKINS, of Columbia [Clark County], 
Wisconsin; (5) Mary, now Mrs. Benjamin EDWARDS, of Verona Township, and (6) 
Anna, wife of Charles MOON, of Dunn Township [Dane County, Wisconsin].

James McCONNELL, Jr., was born 14 Sep 1850, in Allegheny County, 
Pennsylvania; received a good education and learned the carpenter's trade, at 
which he worked a number of years. At the age of twenty-seven years he took 
charge of the old homestead, where he is engaged in general farming and stock 
raising. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Township 
Clerk two terms. On 26 Nov 1879 he was united in marriage with Bertha MOON, 
of Dunn Township [Dane County, WI], and they have three children: Wilber C., 
Orin Stanton, and Bessie May.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly