Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

MARY FRANCES McCONNELL née ANDERSON

Mary Frances Anderson was born on 17 July 1860 in Ontario to Robert Anderson (1826-1887) and Mary Jane Hardin (1832-1886). Her siblings were: Lydia A (b 1851), Nancy Jane (1855-1933), William Andrew (1856-1941), Henrietta Adelia (1862-1936), James E (b 1863), Isabelle (1856-1953), George (b 1869), Harriett Louise (1872-1950), John (b 1873) and Emma (b 1876).

The Anderson family was living in Rawdon, Hastings, Ontario in 1871 and Mary was married to John Alexander McConnell there on 19 February 1879. John was born on 8 October 1854 in Rawdon Township to Elias McConnell (1810-1898) and Sarah Leggett (1827-1899). His siblings were: Nelson (1849-1874), Joseph (1852-1950), Nancy Jane (1855-1935), Manley (1857-1943), William James (1859-1948), Catherine Eliza (Cass) (1861-1957), Lemuel (1863-1883), George (b 1866), Sarah (b 1866), Herbert (1869-1961), Geretta (1871-1912) and Gatra Emma (1874-1969).

The McConnell family was living in Rawdon in 1871 and Mary and John were still living there in 1881 and 1891. In 1901 they were living in Madoc in the same county. They had five children: Estella May (Stella) (1882-1968), Lena Maud (1883-1962), Douglas Bernard (1886-1978) & twin Howard Burton (1886-1957) and Clifford (1895-1917).

John and Mary came to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan by 1908 when John was a contractor. From 1916 until at least 1940, they lived in the family home at 427 9th St. John was a contractor and builder throughout his life. Mary died on 29 March 1945 and John died on 11 March 1947, both in Saskatoon and were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Several of John's siblings also lived and died in Saskatoon.

Stella married Joseph W Pratt, a Methodist Minister. They had four children. Stella died in 1968 and is buried in Kitchener, Waterloo Co, Ontario.

Lena married Bernard Dewitt Grant Fletcher, a government inspector. They had three children. Lena died on 13 July 1962 in Saskatoon.

Douglas was one of the first students at University of Saskatchewan and achieved recognition as an athlete in addition to obtaining his law degree. He never married and continued to live with his parents. He died on 27 July 1978 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Howard was a school teacher before the family came west to Saskatoon. He was also one of the first students at University of Saskatchewan where he obtained his first degree. He studied law at Osgood Hall, Toronto before joining his brother Douglas in the partnership of McConnell & McConnell. He was mayor of Saskatoon 1913-1923 and was made a King’s Counsel in 1929. He married Valerie Thornicroft. Howard died on 9 February 1957.

Clifford enlisted in CEF on 2 March 1916 having graduated from University of Saskatchewan with a BA. He served in the 5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry rising to Lieutenant. After being injured by gunshot, he was captured by the enemy and died in captivity on 18 August 1917.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave McConnell Tree.

Additional research including photograph above by Ruth McConnell whose grandfather Wilbert Nelson McConnell of Ituna, Saskatchewan was a cousin to John A McConnell.

Mary and John McConnell
courtesy of Saskatoon Local History Room