William James Connell

This article is about the Nebraska Congressman. For the Pennsylvania Congressman, see William Connell (Pennsylvania). For the historian, see William J. Connell (historian). For the Tasmanian politician, see William Connell (Australian politician).

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William J. Connell

William James Connell (July 6, 1846 – August 16, 1924) was a Nebraska Republican politician.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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

References

• This article incorporates facts obtained from:
• William James Connell at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by John A. McShane (D)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 1st congressional district March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891	Succeeded by William Jennings Bryan (D)