Benjamin and Hannah Connell

The background is Ben's own drawing

     Benjamin Franklin Connell was born February 17, 1832 in Columbiana Co. Ohio.  As a child Ben was a member of the Sandy Church, which was German Baptist Brethren.  Their practices were those of the Dunkards.  Ben evidently enjoyed the art of drawing and watercolor.  He owned the American Drawing Book by J.G. Chapman published in 1847.  It appears that he wanted to think of himself as a “painter”. 

     He was still living at home in 1850, helping with the farming.  Ben married Hannah Swaidner, daughter of David Swaidner and Catherine Clippinger, on March 29, 1859 in Columbiana County , performed by Samuel H. Bennett JP.   Hannah was born on March 12, 1836 in Columbiana County .  Her father, David Swaidner was one of the early settlers of Butler Township , Columbiana County . 

     Their first child, Genevra was born on April 28, 1859 .  This information is written in either Hannah or Ben’s own handwriting in the Bible pages.  This would indicate that it was an “oops” marriage, if the marriage record is correct.  That may be why there is no marriage entry for Ben and Hannah in the Bible.  The other evidence that may lead toward this is the fact that they were married by a Justice of the Peace and not a minister since Ben’s mother and father appear to have been strong in their religion.  Genevra’s obituary states she was born in Dayton , Ohio and not Columbiana County .  Did they go to Dayton to get away from the non-approving eye?  It must have been very difficult for them both. Ben would lose his mother one year later on May 24, 1860 .

     Eighteen sixty finds Ben and Hannah living in Knox Township , Sandy post office district, with their daughter, Genevra.  Ben states for the census enumerator that he is a medical student at this time.  No property value is listed for him which would indicate he was renting a place to live, but he had a personal value of $498.  Ben’s Uncle Aaron was a physician.  Did Uncle Aaron try to help Ben at this point?  In 1861 he joined the Church of the Brethren.  Hannah also became a member about this time.  Eighteen sixty one brought them another little girl, Odessa .  Two sons were born in the years to follow, Lloyd in 1863 and Quinter in 1866. 

     Eighteen sixty seven finds the Connell family getting ready to make a very long journey overland.  They had photographs taken before they left Ohio and headed out in a Conestoga wagon.  The Conestoga was 15’ long, 5’ wide and 5’ deep.  It’s spines were made of hickory.  More than likely they would have used oxen to pull the wagon since they were more adapt to pulling long distances without food or water.  Their final destination was Warren Township , Poweshiek County , Iowa .  They may not have traveled alone since brother, Hiram and wife Nancy also became residents of Poweshiek County in 1867.  Benjamin’s sister, Maria, had become the second wife to Jacob S. Snyder and they are reported coming to Iowa that same year.  Nothing is known as to how long it took them to get there or by what route they took.  But, it would have been most likely that they took the River to River Road once they entered Iowa .  It went from Davenport thru Iowa City and on to Marengo before they stopped at Brooklyn .  This road was heavily used by this time by many traveling West.  Why would they have come to the Brooklyn area?  The Snyder influence might have much to do with it.  Jacob Snyder’s brother, Simon, had come to Brooklyn and started a general store in 1856.  Jacob’s uncle Ludwick, was instrumental in the forming of the Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania and Jacob wanted the church to prosper in other areas.  (More on Jacob, Maria and the Church of the Brethren under Maria Connell Snyder).  In 1865 Poweshiek County published a promotional brochure to lure people to the county.  From Ben’s obituary he initially settled at Brooklyn .  How long they were there is not known at this time.  But suspicion is that they may have rented the log cabin on the land they eventually purchased.

     A little about what Ben and Hannah would have found at Brooklyn when they arrived.  Brooklyn is located in Bea r Creek Township .  The railroad would have been through Brooklyn at this time since it was completed in 1862.  In 1865 the population of Brooklyn was 400 and had jumped to 1,250 by 1870.  The bustling town in 1865 had 3 dry good stores, 2 shoe stores, a drug store, lumberyard, grain warehouse, 2 grocery stores, a tin shop, blacksmith and one hotel.  Brooklyn did not incorporate until 1869. 

     Not long after arriving in Brooklyn , they increased the size of their family by one more.  Maria Malvina was born July 7, 1868 .  The Brooklyn cemetery was laid out in plots in 1868.  Unfortunately, Ben and Hannah would require a plot in 1870.  Little Maria came down with scarlet fever and died on March 16.  Either Ben or Hannah wrote beside two hymns, M. Malvina.  Perhaps they were used at her funeral. Or perhaps it was just part of their grieving.   The hymns are as follows:

     In happier times they may have attended a husking bee hosted by Simon Snyder in 1872.  It finished with a square dance.  It’s highly unlikely that they participated in the dancing since it was something forbidden in their religion.  If Ben wanted to keep his money in a bank he would have had to wait till 1872 when the First National Bank opened at Brooklyn.   

     On January 21, 1873 , Ben and Hannah purchased 10 acres from Charles and Eliza Uhl for $200.00 in Warren Township Section 19 (E1/2, W1/2, SE1/4, NE1/4). It is located three miles east of Brooklyn on what is now Old Highway 6.  First entry for this land of 160 acres was John Moore, private in Capt. Kenton’s, Second Ohio Volunteers on Feb. 11, 1847 , deeded to him by the United States .  Edward Griswold was then deeded the land on May 1, 1849 by the United States .  In 1854 he started selling off lots. E. Griswold sold to Morris Miller in 1856 followed by E.W. Dee’s purchase in 1864.  Charles Uhl purchased the land in 1868.  It has been eluded to that a log cabin was already present on the property at the time Ben and Hannah purchased it.  As the years passed they built a home just up the hill from the log cabin. Two large evergreens still existed years later, long after the log cabin was gone.  They were planted one on each side.  The writer remembers sitting between the two evergreens and the eerie sound they produced when the wind blew through them.  It was almost as if they had something to say.  Timber was shown completely consuming Section 19.  Any thoughts of cultivation meant the land would have to be cleared.  Nuts trees were not in short supply.  They consisted of black walnut and hickory.  Wolves were abundant.  Their youngest son, Quinter, liked to hunt rabbits in the evening.  He decided that wasn’t a good idea after being surrounded by a pack of wolves one evening. He told that was the last time he ever did that.  Life in the log cabin may have been cozy, but Quinter told of waking up in the morning to find snow blown in on top of his blanket.  Their travel to town would have consisted of traveling two miles west to the Snyder corner, turning north and traveling one mile which crossed Little Bear Creek.  Then turning west for another mile before entering the eastern outskirts of Brooklyn .  More than likely the trip took a good hour~shorter if you wanted to lather up the horses. 

     Another little bundle joined the Connell family on August 2, 1877 .  A little daughter named Emma arrived.  Ben and Hannah appear to continue to prosper.  They purchased another 23 ¼ acres adjoining their 10 acres on October 2, 1878 for $425.00.  They eventually owned a total of 40 acres.  Emma had her picture professionally taken and hand colored.  Sadly on January 10, 1879 , Emma died of croup.  Again, Emma’s name is placed beside two more hymns.  They planted a maple tree to remember her by.  Her brother, Quinter, made the following entry in his journal dated December 4, 1941 ; Cut old maple tree down, the one we used to call Emma’s.

    In 1880, Ben lists his occupation for the census taker as farmer.  Genevra has married, but Odessa , Lloyd and Quinter are all living at home yet.  It is listed in 1880, Bear Creek Township had a sorghum mill.  As we found in Ben’s father’s letter (Amos), they were making molasses/shuger.  From another article which will be addressed under Ben’s son, Quinter, it is stated that Quinter learned the art of sorghum making from his father.  Where this sorghum mill would have been is a mystery at this point, but not out of the question that Ben could have traveled to Bear Creek Township since the township is only ½ mile west of Ben’s property.  Jacob Snyder owned over 100 acres two miles west of Ben.  Could it have been there?  Sorghum making usually only required a couple of weeks of very hard work in the late fall.

     Ben is listed in his obituary as teaching in the neighborhood school.  This would have been the school that was eventually called Warren No. 9 and was one mile south of their homestead.  His children went to school there.  His youngest son’s children also attended this school.  As to what years Ben taught there has not been found yet.

       By 1892, Ben had become the Reverend Benjamin Connell.  His preaching would have been at the Church of the Brethren on Section 24 of Bear Creek Township. Ben is listed in the Brethren's Family Almanac of 1895 (pg 38) and 1900 (pg 36).  

     Eighteen ninety-five finds Ben and Hannah with one son left at home, Quinter.  Lloyd owned land a couple of miles east of them.  Their daughters had married, Genevra to George Kinyon and Odessa to George Wheeler. 

     Sadly Benjamin didn’t see his 67^th birthday.  He died at his home from a paralytic stroke of the brain on Saturday, October 15, 1898 .  Funeral services were held at the Brethren Church on Sunday, October 16^th.  Reverend George Hopwood of Deep River conducted the service and assisted by I.N. Busby.  Ben was laid to rest next to his two little daughters in the Brooklyn Cemetery .  He left behind Hannah, four children and 14 grandchildren.

     Fortunately for Hannah her son, Quinter, was still living on the property when Ben died.  Quinter had married Becky Niswander, a neighbor girl.  They had taken up residence in the old log cabin after marriage. 

     Hannah’s health turned poor in 1912.  She resided with her daughter, Odessa , at Victor for the winter of 1912-13.  She died on February 21, 1913 .  Funeral services were held on Friday morning at the Church of the Brethren with services conducted by the Rev. Brubaker of Prairie City .  She was laid to rest beside her husband and two little daughters.  It is reported that Hannah liked to smoke a corn cob pipe.  It sat on the ledge of the kitchen until the old house was torn down. 

                        THEIR CHILDREN:

            1.  Genevra Connell   born April 28, 1859 Ohio

            2.  Nancy Odessa Connell born June 26, 1861   Ohio

            3.  Lloyd David Connell born December 29, 1863   Ohio           

            4.  Thomas Quinter Connell born February 14, 1866   Ohio

            5.  Maria Malvina Connell born July 7, 1868 Iowa ;  Died March 16, 1870

            6.  Emma Estella Cordula Connell born August 2, 1877 IA Died January 10, 1879