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EDWARD F. MCCONNELL, son of James and Sarah (Smith) McConnell, was born in Madison county, New York, April 30, 1816. His early life was passed in assisting his father on the farm in his native county, and in attending the common schools, with one year at an academy, in Clinton, New York. On the 9th of September, 1840, he was united in marriage with Ann, daughter of Curtis Hoppin, of Lebanon, New York. Six children were born unto them, only one of whom is now living - James S., now residing in Girard, Illinois, where he is engaged in the milling business.
In the fall of 1842, Mr. McConnell and wife, in company with his father and family came to Sangamon county with the special object of engaging in farming and stock raising. Fine wooled sheep has been a specialty with him, and since his advent in Sangamon county, he has sold more than $110,000 worth of wool, and thousands of dollars worth of sheep. When he arrived here, the neighborhood in which he settled, about two miles southwest of Chatham, was all open prairie. He was troubled for some years with the prairie wolves which infested the country, and had a particular fondness for mutton; not only the prairie wolves, but occasionally a large gray or black one was seen.
Mrs. McConnell died June 14, 1853, and Mr. McConnell was again married, forming an alliance with Mary Hoppin, a sister of his first wife, March 13, 1855. Mrs. Mary McConnell died August 28, 1877.
A third marriage contract was formed by Mr. McConnell, the lady in question being Mrs. Sarah P. Morse, whose maiden name was Storrs, a daughter of Ashabel Storrs, of Des Moines, Iowa. The ceremony was performed January 18, 1878.
Mr. McConnell has never been a seeker for public favors, but has held the office of supervisor and other minor offices of the township. He devotes his time closely to his business, and has been in a measure, quite successful.
James McConnell, the father of Edward F. was born in 1789, near Belfast, Ireland. Sarah Smith was born at the same place, in 1787. They were married in 1811, and soon after embarked for America, landing in New York City. In a short time he went to Belleville, New Jersey, where he labored in a powder mill three years, without losing a day. The war with England, from 1812 to 1815, was then in full force, and caused a great demand for powder. Mr. McConnell having learned all the processes of manufacturing the same, and was an especial adept in the most difficult part - that of refining saltpetre. He went to Madison county, New York, and established works on his own account, and continued to manufacture powder there, seven or eight years, when he turned his attention to farming and raising fine stock in the same county. After making several trips to Kentucky, selling stock, he was advised to take some to Illinois. Acting upon this advice, he embarked at Pittsburg with a lot
of jacks and jennets, landed them at Shawneetown, and drove them from there to Springfield, arriving in the fall of 1840. He had no thought of making his home here, but was so well pleased with the country that he bought the land about three miles south of Springfield, making part of the farms on which two of his sons now reside. He went back to New York, settled up his business, and came with his family the next year. His removal was the cause of several other families coming, also. Mr. McConnell brought a flock of about two hundred fine merino sheep, and at the same time some thorough-bred Berkshire hogs. His son, Edward F., brought a flock of merino sheep, also. This was about the first effort to introduce fine blooded sheep and hogs into Sangamon county.