Samuel McConnell

The Biographical Cyclopædia and Portrait Gallery with an Historical Sketch of the State of Ohio, p 614: MCCONNELL, SAMUEL of Portsmouth Ohio was born in Porter Township near Wheelersburg in Scioto County Ohio February 8, 1813, to which place his parents had moved to escape the chills and fever at that time so prevalent at Portsmouth. His parents John McConnell and Mary McConnell, whose maiden name was Mary McClintock, emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania to Portsmouth Ohio in the first decade of this century. Mr. McConnell erected several of the first buildings in Portsmouth, among which were two large hewed log two story houses in one of which was held the first Court of Common Pleas in Scioto County. Of a family of five children, three are now living: John McConnell of Xenia, Illinois, Susanna wife of Thomas Moxley of Idaho and the subject of this sketch, Samuel McConnell, who was the youngest of the five children and but four years of age when their father died leaving the widow to labor and struggle for the support of herself and family of young children. When quite young he, Samuel McConnell, became a clerk in the store of J.V. Robinson, one of the most prominent citizens and successful merchants of the time in Portsmouth and was thus employed for about two years. Mr. McConnell afterward formed a partnership in the mercantile business with his brother, John McConnell, then residing in Wheelersburg, and so continued for a period of about eight years. This was followed by an engagement of two years in the old Bank of lronton, Ohio. He then became interested in the erection of Washington Furnace in Lawrence County, Ohio in connection with John Campbell, John Peters, and several others and was actively engaged as Storekeeper and in other ways while the furnace was being built. Upon its completion, he removed to Portsmouth where, for many years, he was its financial manager and traveling agent and also for Monroe Furnace after it was constructed. He was a partner in the firm owning these furnace properties, both of which were successful enterprises and for which result Mr. McConnell is justly entitled to a full share of the credit. In 1861, having sold his interests in these furnaces, he became a part owner in Harrison Furnace and afterward, Fulton Furnace, the latter at Jackson, Ohio. He was financial agent and superintendent of both of these furnaces.In 1867, he was engaged in the firebrick business at Sciotoville with McConnell Porter & Co and had the general management of the business. In 1871 he became one of the organizers of the Scioto Firebrick Company,an incorporated company at Sciotoville Ohio and remained connected with that company until 1872 when he was one of the principal persons engaged in the erection of the Scioto Star Firebrick Works at East Portsmouth Ohio and which he successfully managed until he sold out last year and retired from the business. The Church associations of Mr McConnell and family are Presbyterian. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. December 4, 1846 he married Cascinda Tipton of Wheelersburg, Ohio. The issue of this union has been ten children, nine of whom are living. John McConnell, the eldest son, is now in the real estate business at Fargo, Dakota Territory. Thomas McConnell has been assistant manager of the Scioto Star Firebrick Works and until very recently has been in the employment of the Birmingham Iron Works in Alabama. Samuel McConnell Jr is in the office of the Adams Express Company at Portsmouth. The eldest daughter Mary is the wife of James E York, Esq. iron and steel manufacturer now of St Louis Missouri. The other daughters are Flora, Jessie, Nellie, Henrietta, and Kate. Mr. McConnell for over thirty five years past has been closely identified with the business of the Hanging Rock iron region and the enterprises with which he has been connected and labored faithfully for have contributed their full share to the growth and prosperity of Southeastern Ohio. He bears an excellent reputation for honesty and fair dealing doubtless justly earned. He is one of a small number now living of native residents born prior to 1814 in Scioto County. He is not engaged in active business but enjoys a large circle of acquaintances and friends and has in the fullest degree their respect esteem and confidence for his many excellent qualities of head and heart.