E. W. MCCONNELL, a prosperous and intelligent young farmer of Independence township, is a son of William and grandson of George McConnell, a pioneer settler of Ashland county, Ohio. William McConnell received a limited common-school education, and then left home and ran on the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. While on a visit to relative in West Middletown, Washington Co., Penn., he met the lady who afterward became his wife, Martha Ann Culbertson (she was born October 24, 1816, in Independence (then Hopewell) township, daughter of John Culbertson). Mr. Culbertson was born February 13, 1786, near Chambersburg, Penn., and was married to Martha Adams (who was born east of the mountains November 10, 1777), daughter of David Adams, who was among the early settlers of Washington county, and an old river man. He made the return trip from New Orleans on foot or horseback, subsisting meanwhile on corn dodgers. It was necessary to sleep out of doors, as the country was unsettled, and their dreams were often interrupted by the war-whoop of the savage or the scream of some wild animal. Mr. Culbertson was a resident of Independence township, where his daughter, Martha Ann, was born. Mr. and Mrs. William McConnell had the following children: Jane, John (both deceased in youth), E. W., Margaret (Mrs. Joseph Ralston, of Independence township), Annie M. (deceased in youth) and William (a farmer). After his marriage Mr McConnell located on the old Culbertson farm, lying about two miles southeast of Independence, where he resided until his death. He also owned the place now known as the "McConnell Homestead," and was a prosperous farmer. Politically he was a Democrat and filled many offices of trust. His widow, as most estimable lady, is now living on the home farm, and is a consistent member of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church, with which her deceased husband was also connected. E.W. McConnell was born August 2, 1849, on the place in Independence township, which was made a part of the homestead before the death of his father. His boyhood was passed in farm work, and receiving a common-school education, which was supplemented by a partial course at Mount Union College, in Stark county, Ohio. He then taught school for some time in Elizabethtown, Ky., and afterward returned to his birthplace, where he has since resided. On October 6, 1881, he was united in marriage with Annie Gourley (who was born in 1862, in Brooke county, W. Va.), daughter of James Gourley, a native of that place; and to their union have been born children as follows: James G., Annie M., Willard W., and William Culbertson, and infant son. Mr. McConnell erected a pleasant residence on the home farm adjoining the original tract owned by his father, and engaged in farming. His one of the progressive men in his vocation; in politics he has been a Democrat, but at present is independent of any party connections. Both he and his wife are members of the Lower Buffalo Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 859 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Sharon McConnell of Fontana, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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