Obituary of Captain Richard McConnell, Sr., Hardin County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Wanda Reed Richard McConnell Sr. age 76, died in the hospital at Anna at 6:30 Sunday evening. At his bedside when the end came were his wife, Mrs. Olive McConnell, his son, Cyrus, his son-in-law and daughter Mr. and Mrs John G. Pearson, and his grand daughter Miss Patsy Pearson. Captain McConnell had not been well for some time, but, as on Saturday he was thought to be in no immediate danger, his death was a great shock to his family and friends. As a pilot on boats owned by himself and as owner and operator of the ferries of Cave in Rock and Elizabethtown, he had lived a long and useful life. Perhaps no other one person in the county had been of service to as many different persons as had Captain McConnell. A native of this county, he was born on what is known as the Dan Frailey farm opposite Weston, Kentucky. His boyhbood and early manhood, however, was spent on a farm at Fords Ferry, Kentucky. In 1908 he began his career as a river man with the building of the "Esta" as his reputation for reliability grew his business increased until a larger boat was required. The "Egyptian" was built and used for five years making two regular trips each day between Cave in Rock and Rosiclare. Many students in Cave in Rock could not have completed their high school education had it not been for Captain McConnell. There being no high school at Cave in Rock at that time, he transported pupils to Rosiclare and returned them safely to their homes in the evening. In 1915 a still larger boat the "Katherine" was built. It was used for carrying the mail, daily trips being made from Shawneetown to Rosiclare. For 16 consecutive years Captain McConnell carried the mail establishing a record for honesty and integrity in all his dealings. He prided himself upon being punctual and his boat seldom failed to leave at the exact time started on the schedule. The "Mary McConnell" was built in 1922 and was used during the latter part of the period during which mail was carried. When the state highways and truck service supplemented the old time transportation by boat, he bought the Cave in Rock ferry landing. Later he also leased the ferry right at Elizabethtown, and until ill heath incapacatitated him with the help of his wife and sons, operated two ferries. When the death of Captain McConnell was reported in Cave in Rock Monday morning, citizens all over the village began recalling the many kind and generous acts toward them during his approximately 35 years of continuous service. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Olive McConnell, two daughters, Miss Gladys McConnell, Anna and Mrs John G. Pearson, Cave-in-Rock, four sons, Ellis St. Louis, Cyurus, Cave-in-Rock, Everett, Cleveland, Ohio, and Richard, Evansville and three sisters MRs Mary Yeakey, MRs Alma Dowdy and Mrs James Ledbetter who live in Kentucky. Funeral servicews was held Wednesday afternoon at the Cave-in-Rock Methodist Church. At his request the Masonic funeral rites were included in the service. interment will be made in the Masonic Cemetery. Taken from the Hardin County Independent 20 January, 1944 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed