James Robert Connell Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire From: Patricia Cooper - pcooper@peaknet.net Surname: CONNELL Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 916 JAMES ROBERT CONNELL, deceased, was for many years prominent in the business life of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the citizens still recall him with kindly feeling, as he was a man of wide acqauintance who endeared himself to all who knew him well; His profession was that of jeweler and in addition to the store with which he was connected, he operated considerable in the real estate field. He was always found in support of those measures and entetprises tending toward the development and improvement of his home community. Mr. Connell was born in Cowensville, Canada, August 27, 1848, and was a son of Rev. David and Mary (Dickey) Connell, both natives of,Scotland. The father was a minister of the Congregational Church. They have the fol- lowing children: William J. ; James Robert ; Mary E., widow of Bliss Haskell; Lilla, wife of Rev; Herbert M. Tenney; David; Dr. Ralph W. Con- nell, a physician of Omaha, Neb. ; and Laura, wife of Edwin Sanford. James R. Connell attended the public schools for a time but as a youth laid the foundation for his successful career in the jewelry business. He thoroughly learned watch making and the art of the jeweler's trade at Wells River, Vermont, and in addition spent two years at special work in adjust- ment. Coming to Portsmouth, he spent one year employed as watchmaker then was taken into partnership with his employer. He later also conducted a branch store at Plymouth, New Hampshire, which he sold to his brother David, and he continued active in his business in Portsmouth until death claimed him, on May 27, 1906. In 1874, Mr. Connell was married to Miss Annie J. Hanscom, who was born in Portsmouth and is a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah J. (Goss) Hanscom. Her father was from Eliot, Maine, and followed the trade of a ship-joiner, being also master workman. Her mother was a native of Rye, New Hampshire. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Connell were Uriah and Nancy (Barnes) Hanscom, he having been a Revolutionary soldier. On the maternal side her grandparents were Daniel and Hannah ( Perkins ) Goss. Nathaniel and Sarah Hanscom had the following issue: C. Dwight, a soldier in the Civil War; Creighton, who was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and was killed in battle; Daniel G. ; Albert H; Miss Frances Hans- com, and Mrs. Annie J. Connell. Mr. and Mrs. Connell had but one child, Ray Howard, who died in 1885 at the age of seven years. Religiously the Pages 917 and 918 contained a portrait. Page 919 family holds attachtnent to the North Congregational Church. Mr. Connell was a stanch republican. He was decidedly a business man and a home lover, such time as was not spent in his store being passed at home in the companionship of his wife. ********************************************************************** * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * *The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.