Professors of Alabama: William K. McConnell

William K. McConnell
Untitled newspaper article

William Kennedy McConnell (b. March 25, 1841; January 16, 1891)

Alabama.  White.
Education: Lagrange College and Military Academy (no degree?)
Occupation: university commandant, tax collector, railroad agent

William Kennedy McConnell was born in Talladega County, Alabama in 1841 to Felix Grundy and Elizabeth Jennings McConnell. His father was one of the first settlers to move to the state, and a prominent politician. When William was born, the father was serving in the state senate, and he was elected to U.S. House in 1843. Despite being an elected official, the father developed a reputation for heavy drinking and causing public disruption. Tragically, he died by suicide when William was only five years old. After his father's death, he moved to Tennessee and lived with an uncle until he was eight years old. 

William attended Lagrange College and Military Academy. He was still a student there when the Civil War broke out, and he left school to serve in the Confederate army. He first was a private in the 16th Alabama Infantry Regiment, but he later was transferred to the 30th Alabama Infantry and served as a drill master and was a lieutenant of engineers. He was at a number of battles including the Shiloh and Vicksburg. After the war, he lived in Mexico for two years.

After he returned to America, William returned settled in Selma, but in January 1869, he was elected commandant of cadets and instructor of engineering at the newly reopened University of Alabama. He served in that role in 1871.

After leaving the university, William settled in Selma again. He served as county tax collector for seven years. In August 1884, left Selma for Talladega and worked as a railroad and express agent. 

William died in Talladega on January 16, 1891. A few days before his death, he experienced some "indisposition," which developed into paralysis. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Talladega.

Sources

1) book

2) Year: 1880; Census Place: Selma, Dallas, Alabama; Roll: 11; Page: 455C; Enumeration District: 071

3) The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Northern Division, Talladega, Alabama; Roll: M653_24; Page: 643; Family History Library Film: 803024

4) The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Coosa, Coosa, Alabama; Roll: 4; Page: 50a