[Ancestors] [Descendants]
Willis Talbott McConnell
Last updated 22 Oct 2021 in Spear–Johnson Family.
Individual
Born: 13 Sep 1866 in Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois, United States
Father: Joseph A. McConnell (1824 – 1899)
Mother: Sarah Fouts (1830 – ?)
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 960 (PDF page 947)
Comment Detail: Source includes name (Willis Talbott McConnell).
census-us-1870-ps-il-henry-geneseo-13: 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Illinois, Henry County, Geneseo, page 13 (form) or page 454[A] (stamped); 1870 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Feb 2021) ⟩ "Illinois ⟩ Henry ⟩ Geneseo" image 40; citing “Ninth Census of the United States, 1870, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 229 (of 1761), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 545728]
Reference Detail: Line 6, dwelling 105
Comment Detail: Source includes name (⟨conflict⟩ McConnell). See research notes for conflict details.
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Highland Township, page 297; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 23 Dec 2007) ⟩ "1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Highland" image 18; citing "Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest"
Reference Detail: Line 7, dwelling 98
Comment Detail: Source includes name (Willis ⟨conflict⟩ McConnell). See research notes for conflict details.
misc-spear-date-notebook: Spear birth and death date notebook; multiple contributors; privately held
Reference Detail: Page 13 - September Births
Comment Detail: Source includes name (Willis T. McConnell).
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book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 960 (PDF page 947)
Comment Detail: Source includes date (September 13, 1866) and location (Geneseo, Henry county, Illihnois).
census-us-1870-ps-il-henry-geneseo-13: 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Illinois, Henry County, Geneseo, page 13 (form) or page 454[A] (stamped); 1870 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Feb 2021) ⟩ "Illinois ⟩ Henry ⟩ Geneseo" image 40; citing “Ninth Census of the United States, 1870, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 229 (of 1761), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 545728]
Reference Detail: Line 6, dwelling 105
Comment Detail: Source includes age (3) and location (Ill. [Illinois]). Using his age and the official census date of 1 Jun 1870 gives a birth date range from 2 Jun 1866 to 1 Jun 1867.
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Highland Township, page 297; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 23 Dec 2007) ⟩ "1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Highland" image 18; citing "Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest"
Reference Detail: Line 7, dwelling 98
Comment Detail: Source includes age (18) and location (Illinois). Age is specified as of birthday in 1884, which gives a birth year of 1866.
misc-spear-date-notebook: Spear birth and death date notebook; multiple contributors; privately held
Reference Detail: Page 13 - September Births
Comment Detail: Source includes date ([September] 13th [...] 1866). The last digit of the year is somewhat unclear, looking like one number was written over another, and a 3 or a 6 could have been intended. However, the 3 doesn't match the 3 from the day for the same person, or other threes in what appear to be the same hand in other entires on the page, so 6 is being used.
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book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 960 (PDF page 947)
Comment Detail: Source identifies Willis T. [McConnell] as a biological child of Joseph McConnell.
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book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 960 (PDF page 947)
Comment Detail: Source identifies Willis T. [McConnell] as a biological child of Sarah (Fouts) McConnell.
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Family #1
Spouse/Partner: Alice M. Dillenbeck (? – 1899)
Married: 25 Sep 1890
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 963 (PDF page 948)
Comment Detail: Source includes date (25th of September, 1890).
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 963 (PDF page 948)
Comment Detail: Source includes date (14th of February, 1901).
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Child: Willis Talbot McConnell Jr. (? – ?)
Family #2
Spouse/Partner: Anna Laura Miller (? – ?)
Married: 14 Feb 1901
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 963 (PDF page 948)
Comment Detail: Source includes date (25th of September, 1890).
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 963 (PDF page 948)
Comment Detail: Source includes date (14th of February, 1901).
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Child: Nellie Lucille McConnell (1903 – ?)
Child: Paul Fouts McConnell (1906 – ?)
Child: Florence Laura McConnell (1908 – ?)
Miscellaneous Facts
Events
Organization: (the Masons)
Attributes
Residence: 1 Jun 1870 at Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois, United States
Occupation: (farmer) 1 Jan 1885
Residence: 1 Jan 1885 at Highland Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, United States
Religion: (Methodist Episcopal Church)
census-us-1870-ps-il-henry-geneseo-13: 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Illinois, Henry County, Geneseo, page 13 (form) or page 454[A] (stamped); 1870 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Feb 2021) ⟩ "Illinois ⟩ Henry ⟩ Geneseo" image 40; citing “Ninth Census of the United States, 1870, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 229 (of 1761), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 545728]
Reference Detail: Line 6, dwelling 105
Comment Detail: Source includes official census date (1 Jun 1870) and location (Geneseo City, in the County of Henry, State of Ill's [Illinois]).
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Highland Township, page 297; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 23 Dec 2007) ⟩ "1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Highland" image 18; citing "Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest"
Reference Detail: Line 7, dwelling 98
Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Jan 1885) and occupation (farmer).
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Highland Township, page 297; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 23 Dec 2007) ⟩ "1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Highland" image 18; citing "Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest"
Reference Detail: Line 7, dwelling 98
Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Jan 1885) and location (Highland, Guthrie County, Iowa).
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General Notes and Anecdotes
Willis was a successful businessman. Educated at Simpson College in Indianola, Waren County, Iowa, he first worked in the grain business, operating grain elevators in and around Bayard, Indiana for three years. Eventually he moved to Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, taking a position as president of the American Lubricator Company. [book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915]
In 1898 American Lubricator Company's headquarters were moved to Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, where it absorbed a couple of other companies, and finally merged into American Can Company in 1901. In that year, Willis moved to Wessington Springs and organized the First National Bank, becoming its president; a position he held through at least 1915. From 1909 to 1912 he was also cashier of the Western National Bank of Mitchell. As of 1915, he was a director of the Woonsocket State Bank, president of the Bank of Alpena, the Virgil State Bank, the Draper State Bank, and the First State Bank of Murdo, and a director of Fidelity Life Insurance Company of Iowa. [book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915]
Willis was an avid motorist, turning to "motoring and driving" as a recreation. He also kept "high-bred" horses and outside of his financial business interests, was interested in blooded [purebred] stock and scientific farming. [book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915]
He was particulary involved with Masonry, having attained the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He was also a member of the Mystic Shrine [Shriner]. [book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915]
book-history-of-dakota-territory-v5-1915: George Washington Kingsbury, George Martin Smith (editor), History of Dakota Territory: South Dakota: Its History and Its People, Volume 5; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915; book image (PDF), Google Books (http://books.google.com: accessed 21 Apr 2018), held by New York Public Library [This multi-volume series is a history of South Dakota. Volumes 4 and 5 are biographies of mostly contemporary notables.]
Reference Detail: Page 960 (PDF page 947)
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Research Notes (Conflicts/Spelling/Followup)
CONFLICTS
Given Name: This database uses Willis Talbott. The 1870 U.S. Census uses "Wm" (William). This was his brother's name, but that brother died in 1865 as an infant. [census-us-1870-ps-il-henry-geneseo-13]
Given Name: This database uses Willis Talbott. The 1885 Iowa Census uses the initial 'P' for the middle name. Could the enumerator have misheard the initial? [census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297]
census-us-1870-ps-il-henry-geneseo-13: 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Illinois, Henry County, Geneseo, page 13 (form) or page 454[A] (stamped); 1870 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Feb 2021) ⟩ "Illinois ⟩ Henry ⟩ Geneseo" image 40; citing “Ninth Census of the United States, 1870, NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 229 (of 1761), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 545728]
Reference Detail: Line 6, dwelling 105
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-highland-297: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Highland Township, page 297; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 23 Dec 2007) ⟩ "1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Highland" image 18; citing "Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest"
Reference Detail: Line 7, dwelling 98
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Sources
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