William James Connell
William James Connell was an American Republican Party politician. From 1889 to 1891, he served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early life and education
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.Career
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.Congress
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, losing to William Jennings Bryan, the future Democratic nominee for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and future Secretary of State.He is known for introducing a bill that would provide a pension for formerly enslaved people in the 51st Congress. This effort would later influence the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association (MRB&PA).