On January 30, 1881, he married Hattie Millican of Comanche County. They had six children. Connell moved to Midland in 1886 to open a branch of his Sweetwater store. Soon he entered the banking business. He first operated a partnership under the name Connell Brothers and Scharbauer, which he later renamed W. E. Connell and Company. Around 1888 he changed the name again and chartered the First National Bank of Midland. After serving as a principal stockholder, cashier, and general manager for ten years in Midland, Connell transferred to the First National Bank of Fort Worth in Tarrant County. He served as cashier for several years before being named vice president. During his tenure the bank moved to a new ten-story "skyscraper" at the corner of Seventh and Houston in downtown Fort Worth. In 1912 Capt. Martin B. Loyd, the first president of the bank, died; his last words were, "Damn my soul, you'll never fill this building." With his passing, Connell was named president. Under his leadership, the bank building not only filled but doubled in size. In 1931 he was elected chairman of the board. He stayed with the bank the remainder of his life. In addition, he had an interest in twenty West Texas banks.
Connell owned several cattle ranches that totalled 100,000 acres. He usually held 3,000 to 5,000 cattle. He was vice president and a stockholder of the Dublin Oil Mills. From 1920 until his death he served as treasurer of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was also a director of the Texas and Pacific Railway and vice president and stockholder of the Cicero Smith Lumber Company. Connell was appointed to the War Finance Corporation during World War I and was named a district officer of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932. He was a member of many clubs and a Baptist. He died at his home on May 5, 1936, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Fort Worth. He was survived by his widow and five children.
On January 30, 1881, he married Hattie Millican of Comanche County. They had six children. Connell moved to Midland in 1886 to open a branch of his Sweetwater store. Soon he entered the banking business. He first operated a partnership under the name Connell Brothers and Scharbauer, which he later renamed W. E. Connell and Company. Around 1888 he changed the name again and chartered the First National Bank of Midland. After serving as a principal stockholder, cashier, and general manager for ten years in Midland, Connell transferred to the First National Bank of Fort Worth in Tarrant County. He served as cashier for several years before being named vice president. During his tenure the bank moved to a new ten-story "skyscraper" at the corner of Seventh and Houston in downtown Fort Worth. In 1912 Capt. Martin B. Loyd, the first president of the bank, died; his last words were, "Damn my soul, you'll never fill this building." With his passing, Connell was named president. Under his leadership, the bank building not only filled but doubled in size. In 1931 he was elected chairman of the board. He stayed with the bank the remainder of his life. In addition, he had an interest in twenty West Texas banks.
Connell owned several cattle ranches that totalled 100,000 acres. He usually held 3,000 to 5,000 cattle. He was vice president and a stockholder of the Dublin Oil Mills. From 1920 until his death he served as treasurer of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was also a director of the Texas and Pacific Railway and vice president and stockholder of the Cicero Smith Lumber Company. Connell was appointed to the War Finance Corporation during World War I and was named a district officer of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932. He was a member of many clubs and a Baptist. He died at his home on May 5, 1936, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Fort Worth. He was survived by his widow and five children.
Family Members
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David Cook Connell
1845–1883
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James Gibbs Connell
1847 – unknown
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William Archibald Connell
1850–1866
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Sampson Oliver Connell
1852–1883
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George Tinsley Connell
1854–1915
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Giles H. Connell
1856–1929
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Mary Jane Connell Warren
1861–1936
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Mary Jane Connell
1861 – unknown
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Elizabeth Missouri "Eliza" Connell Hawkins
1864–1941
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Sidney Johnson "Sid" Connell
1869–1944
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