Person:William McConnell (36)

Seated portrait.

OFFICE OF THE LOCAL U. S. CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROCK ISLANDARSENAL, ILLINOIS

October 5, 1912.

Mr. W. J. McConnell, Red Wing, Minn.

Sir:- I have to inform you that your letter of the 1st inst. requestinginformation as to a position as Harnessmaker at this Arsenal, has been received. Am enclosing Civil Service blanks which you should fill out and return tothis office as soon as possible. Harness Makers are paid at the rate of $2.50to $3.25 per day of 8 hours. Most of this work is, however, on piece work at which a man can make $4.00 per day. These positions will be permanent providing the services are satisfactory. It is thought that a suitable dwelling place may be found in either of the three cities, Moline, Rock Island or Davenport, Iowa. Respectfully, D. W. Jacques (signature) Secretary.

Wm. McConnell, Harness Maker, Dies at Age 94 William James Adams McConnell,94, of Ladysmith, died Monday at Superior. He suffered a broken hip, and complications because of infiraties of old age resulted in his death. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. from the McElravy-Geir Funeral Home chapel,the Rev. Floyd R. Litchfield officiating. Burial was in teh Bruce cemetery. Mr. McConnell was born July 14, 1871, in Ontario, Canada, and his marriage to Ellen B. Waddell took place in 1895 at Carman, Manitoba, Canada. During his life, Mr. McConnell farmed for a few years, but learned the harness-making trade atan early age in Canada. He started out from home at the age of 14 years to make his own living and followed the harness-making trade for most of his life. His skill in harness making and leather work became widely known to those who owned horses, including many in the armed forces. He lived in Hannah, N. D. for 16 years, at Redwing, Lake City, and Wabasha, MN for a total of 12 years; Hayward for 10 years; Ladysmith for 18 years; Bruce for eight years; and Superior fortwo years. He came to Rusk county in 1939. Mr. McConnell was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, in 1952; a son, Fred, a daughter, Iva, an infant son, and his brothers and sisters. His church affiliations were with the Presbyterianchurch. Surviving are children, Robert, of Washington, D. C.; Gordon, of Ladysmith; Mrs. Wallace McKay (Clara M.), of RedwoodFalls, Minn.' Glenn B., of Ames, Ia.' Karl O., of Superior; and Mrs. Arthur (Jean) Martin, of Ladysmith. There are 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

MILWAUKEE SENTINEL Monday, March 24, 1952

Harness Making Lost Skill, But Not for W. J. McConnell Ladysmith Man at Trade 63 years Ladysmith, Wis. March 23 (Special) Master ofan almost vanished skill is William J. McConnell. But at 80, this native of Canada still can make a set of double harness--bright with rivets and studs,--with little more than a good piece of leather, a few simple tools, and his ancient stitching machine. When McConnell learned the harnessmaking trade as a boy of 17 in Winchester, Ont., there was a harness shop at every crossroads town. Yet harnessmakers couldn't keep up with the demand for their work. Every prairie schooner rolling westward was closely followed by the men who worked with leather. Broken saddles, bridles and traces had to be repaired. PROGRESS HURT TRADE With the advent of the automobile and tractor, harness factories which sprang up with the invention of the Campbell stitching machine gradually shut down. Harnessmakers learned new trades for no one cared to bother with one that had no future. Today McConnell knows of one other harness shop in Wisconsin. It's at Dallas in Baron [sic] County. "Hardly any one can splice a round line today," the blue eyed, six foot veteran says, "or can stitch a trace by hand withthe butt and neck pieces of the leather together so the trace won't stretch." While most of the farmers still using horses get their halters and traces custom made from hardware stores, McConnell believe m

1 RESI 2 DATE 1901 2 PLAC Hannah, Cavalier Co., North Dakota, USA 1 RESI 2 DATE 1917 2 PLAC Red Wing, , Minnesota, USA

Mcconnell, William J., head, Farmer, General Farming Age: 48 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Ontario Imm: 1895; Nat: 1900 __, EllenB.,wife Age: 42 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Ontario Imm: 1895; Nat: 1900 __, Clara M., daughter Age: 12 Year: 1920 Birthplace: North Dakota __, Jean E., daughter Age: 5 Year: 1920 Birthplace: North Dakota __, Karl O., son Age: 31/2 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Minnesota Roll: T625_865 Race: White Page: 1A State: Minnesota ED: 151 County: Wabasha Image: 190 Township: Lake Dated 26 Jan 1920 1 RESI 2 DATE 1921 2 PLAC Lake City, Wabasha County, Minnesota, USA 1 RESI 2 DATE 1925 2 PLAC Wabasha, Minnesota, USA 1 RESI 2 DATE 1929 2 PLAC Hayward, Sawyer Co., Wisconsin, USA 1 RESI 2DATE 1939 2 PLAC Bruce, Rusk County, Wisconsin, USA 1 RESI 2 DATE 1944 2 PLAC Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wisconsin, USA 2 NOTE Residence Ladysmith for 18 years; Bruce for eight years; and Superior for two years. He came toRusk county in 1939. 2 _PREF Y

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Robert Forest and Karl Osmond McConnell. Number 2.