The Carthage Gazette
Carthage, Illinois
Friday
July 30, 1948
Page 4
Column 2James McConnell
Dies on July 27James R. McConnell, 77, died July 27 at the home of his son, Gay McConnell, southwest of LaHarpe.
The son of James Elliot and Elizabeth Conners McConnell, he was born near Fountain Green on May 10, 1871. On St. Valentine's day, 1891, he was married to Anna Christine Anderson, who died previously, as did one child.
Surviving are 6 sons and 2 daughters: Gay McConnell; Mrs. Jesse Hasten, Blandinsville; Milton McConnell, Indianola; Wesley McConnell, Carthage; Mrs. Helen York, Galesburg; Fay McConnell, Prole, Ia.; Wayne McConnell, Blandinsville, and James McConnell of Alaska.
Last rites were held at Fountain Green Presbyterian church at 2 p. m. Thursday. Rev. James Q. Moore, pastor of LaHarpe Christian church officiated. Burial was in the McConnell cemetery, Fountain Green.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
August 4, 1948
Page 6
Column 5Lifelong Fountain
Green Resident DiesFollowing a gradual decline in health of many months duration, James Ralph McConnell, a life long resident of the Fountain Green community passed away Tuesday morning, July 27, 1948, at the home of his son Gay near La Crosse, aged 78 years, 2 months and 17 days.
The son of James Elliot and Elizabeth (Conner) McConnell, he was born in Fountain Green, May 10th, 1870 in the house now occupied by Mrs. Robert Geddes, his parents conducting the village hotel at that location for many years.
He received his education in the public schools of Ftn. Green and was married, February 14th, 1891 to Miss Anna Christine Anderson, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, who came to America as a young girl and found her way to Illinois when she accompanied Mrs. Jennie Hopkins Siebold of New York City to Ftn. Green on a visit to the latter's parents.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McConnell made their home with his mother and assisted in the management of the hotel, the father having passed away December 6th, 1890. This continued to be their home until 1903, when they disposed of the property and moved to a farm about two miles east of Ftn. Green. It was here that the son, Clyde, passed away July 25, 1920, and Mr. McConnell's aged mother in November 1921. About 1925 the family moved to the farm north of town now occupied by the son Gay.
Mrs. McConnell passed away February 8th, 1927. Several years thereafter Mr. McConnell moved back to Ftn. Green where he has since resided.
Left to mourn his passing are two daughters and six sons as follows: Mrs. Jessie Hasten of the home community, Mrs. Helen York of Galesburg, Milton of Indianola, Iowa, Wesley, Gay and Wayne of the Ftn. Green vicinity, Fay of Prole, Iowa and James in Alaska. There are also 28 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Being fond of little folks, the grandchildren and great grandchildren were a great joy to him and he was never happier than when some of them were with him. They, in turn were equally fond of him and took great delight in visiting him often, knowing well that a hearty welcome always awaited them.
During the months of failing health he was very tenderly cared for by his sons Gay and Wayne and their wives and the daughter Jessie and her husband, with the assistance of the son Wesley and his family.
Of a kind hearted and generous nature, Mr. McConnell will be remembered as a good neighbor and friend, and will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Hancock County Journal
Carthage, Illinois
Thursday
August 5, 1948
Page 2
Column 4Funeral Services
For J. McConnell
Held ThursdayFuneral services for James Ralph McConnell, 77, who died Tuesday morning, July 27, at the home of his son, Gay McConnell, southwest of LaHarpe, were held at 2 p. m. Thursday at the Fountain Green church. The Rev. James Q. Moore officiated and burial was in McConnell cemetery at Fountain Green.
He was born May 10, 1871, near Fountain Green, a son of James Elliott and Elizabeth Conners McConnell, and was a retired farmer and life-long resident of the Fountain Green community.
He was married February 14, 1891, to Anna Anderson, who preceded him in death. They had nine children, eight of whom survive as follows: Jessie Hasten of near Blandinsville, Milton McConnell of Indianola, Ia., Wesley McConnell of Carthage, Gay of near LaHarpe, Mrs. Helen York of Galesburg, Faye McConnell of Prole, Ia., James McConnell of Alaska, and Wayne McConnell of Blandinsville.
Children:
Jessie B. McConnell 30-Sep-1892 06-Dec-1981 John Wesley McConnell 17-Mar-1896 14-Feb-1983 Fay McConnell . . Milton McConnell . . James E. McConnell 19-May-1911 23-Mar-1976 A. Wayne McConnell 27-Feb-1913 12-Mar-2005 Helen McConnell . . Clyde McConnell . 25-Jul-1920 Gay McConnell . .
