William Van McConnell. (April 18, 1855 -- March 17, 1919) A native of Crockett, William V. McConnell was the son of Irish-born blacksmith John McConnell. After helping his father with that trade, McConnell opened a mercantile store on the square and developed there a family business that lasted nearly a century. McConnell was a charter member of the First Christian Church. After the death of his first wife, Jennie McLean (1868-1888), McConnell married her sister Daisy (1875-1935). #11239