William James Connell (July 6, 1846 – August 16, 1924) was an American Republican Party politician. From 1889 to 1891, he served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

William James Connell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nebraska's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1889 – March 4, 1891
Preceded byJohn A. McShane
Succeeded byWilliam Jennings Bryan
Personal details
Born
William James Connell

(1846-07-06)July 6, 1846
Cowansville, Quebec, Canada
DiedAugust 16, 1924(1924-08-16) (aged 78)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Resting placeProspect Hill Cemetery, Omaha
Political partyRepublican

Early life and education

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Born in Cowansville, Quebec, he immigrated with his family to Schroon Lake, New York in 1857 and then moved to Vermont in 1862. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1867 and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1869.

Career

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He was the district attorney of the third judicial district of Nebraska from 1872 to 1876 and a city attorney for the city of Omaha from 1883 to 1887.

Congress

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He was elected to the Fifty-first United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1891. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890, losing to William Jennings Bryan, the future Democratic nominee for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and future Secretary of State.

Later career and death

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He returned to his job as Omaha's city attorney in 1892. He died in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 16, 1924, and is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Omaha.

Family

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His son, Dr. Karl Albert Connell, invented the gas mask used by American troops during World War I.

References

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  • "Connell, William James". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved February 12, 2006.
  • "Connell, William James". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved February 12, 2006.
  •   This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nebraska's 1st congressional district

March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891
Succeeded by