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​'''Charles Emmett McConnell''', also known as '''Jack McConnell''' (February 5, 1923 – December 29, 2000), was an [[United States|American]] [[attorney]] and [[Democratic Party]] [[politician]], who was elected in 1954 as the [[mayor]] of Springhill in northern Webster Parish, [[Louisiana]].

'''Charles Emmett McConnell''', also known as '''Jack McConnell''' (February 5, 1923 – December 29, 2000), was an [[United States|American]] [[attorney]] and [[Democratic Party]] [[politician]], who was elected in 1954 as the [[mayor]] of Springhill in northern Webster Parish, [[Louisiana]].

==Background==

==Background==

​Originally from Rayville in Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana, McConnell had seven siblings. He was a law partner of his brother Nathaniel Julius McConnell, Sr. (1918-1995), the Springhill ward judge from 1956 to 1986, when he was succeeded by [[John M. Robinson]]. One of his sisters, Theresa McConnell Lowe (1907-1959), was an educator for whom the former Lowe Junior High School in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] was named.<ref>"Last Rites Held for Honored Educator", ''Minden Herald'', November 5, 1959, p. 1.</ref><ref>"Board Names School After Theresa Lowe," ''Minden Herald'', July 7, 1960, pp. 1, 4.</ref>​

Originally from Rayville in Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana, McConnell had seven siblings. He was a law partner of his brother Nathaniel Julius McConnell, Sr. (1918-1995), the Springhill ward judge from 1956 to 1986, when he was succeeded by [[John M. Robinson]]. One of his sisters, Theresa McConnell Lowe (1907-1959), was an educator for whom the former Lowe Junior High School in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] was named.<ref>"Last Rites Held for Honored Educator", ''Minden Herald'', November 5, 1959, p. 1.</ref><ref>"Board Names School After Theresa Lowe," ''Minden Herald'', July 7, 1960, pp. 1, 4.</ref>​

After graduation from Rayville High School, McConnell attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, then known as Northeast Louisiana Junior College in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]. He served for two years overseas during [[World War II]] and completed his legal education at [[Louisiana State University]] Law Center in [[Baton Rouge]]. He was the chairman of the board of Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Springhill. He was affiliated with Lions International, the American Legion, the [[Chamber of Commerce]], Masonic lodge, the Shriners, the [[United Way]].<ref name="Minden Herald 1962, p. 1">"McConnell Elected Head of Parish United Fund", ''Minden Herald'', March 29, 1962, p. 1</ref> and the [[United Methodist]] Church.<ref name=mcconnell/>

After graduation from Rayville High School, McConnell attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, then known as Northeast Louisiana Junior College in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]. He served for two years overseas during [[World War II]] and completed his legal education at [[Louisiana State University]] Law Center in [[Baton Rouge]]. He was the chairman of the board of Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Springhill. He was affiliated with Lions International, the American Legion, the [[Chamber of Commerce]], Masonic lodge, the Shriners, the [[United Way]].<ref name="Minden Herald 1962, p. 1">"McConnell Elected Head of Parish United Fund", ''Minden Herald'', March 29, 1962, p. 1</ref> and the [[United Methodist]] Church.<ref name=mcconnell/>

McConnell and his wife, the former Mary Virginia Hathorn (1921-2009), had two daughters, Malinda M. Gore and Lenae M. Scott, both of the [[Shreveport]]-[[Bossier City]] metropolitan area.<ref name=mcconnell>"McConnell Announces Candidacy for One of Two Representative Positions," ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 26, 1967, p. 1.</ref> Mrs. McConnell, the daughter of Ernest Eldorado Hathorn and the former Claudia Waller, graduated in 1937 from Haynesville High School in Haynesville in Claiborne Parish and in 1941 from [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. Mary McConnell was for many years a business education teacher at several locations, including Springhill High School. She was [[Southern Baptist]].<ref name=mvhm>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=mary-mcconnell&pid=127847623|title=Obituary of Mary Virginia Hathorn McConnell|publisher=''The Shreveport Times'', May 31, 2009|accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref>​

McConnell and his wife, the former Mary Virginia Hathorn (1921-2009), had two daughters, Malinda M. Gore and Lenae M. Scott, both of the [[Shreveport]]-[[Bossier City]] metropolitan area.<ref name=mcconnell>"McConnell Announces Candidacy for One of Two Representative Positions," ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 26, 1967, p. 1.</ref> Mrs. McConnell, the daughter of Ernest Eldorado Hathorn and the former Claudia Waller, graduated in 1937 from Haynesville High School in Haynesville in Claiborne Parish and in 1941 from [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. Mary McConnell was for many years a business education teacher at several locations, including Springhill High School. She was [[Southern Baptist]].<ref name=mvhm>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=mary-mcconnell&pid=127847623|title=Obituary of Mary Virginia Hathorn McConnell|publisher=''The Shreveport Times'', May 31, 2009|accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref>​

==Political career==

==Political career==

 

In the April 1954 municipal primary, McConnell garnered 53 percent of the vote over two primary rivals, Jesse C. Anderson and Robert J. Hughes.<ref>"Springhill Elects New Mayor and Two Aldermen", ''Minden Press'', April 8, 1954, p. 1.</ref> He was succeeded after a single term by the businessman [[Jesse L. Boucher]]. From 1960 to 1969, McConnell was an elected member of the Webster Parish School Board.<ref name=mcconnell/> He resigned from the board two years into his second term<ref>"Charles E. McConnell Ward 2 School Board Member to Resign", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 27, 1969, p. 1.</ref> because in his words he had "too many irons in the fire to continue work on the board". A second board member, Alfred E. Day of Minden, a former schoolteacher, soon followed McConnell in resignation.<ref>"Webster Board Member A. E. Day Resigns Post", ''Minden Press-Herald'', May 6, 1969, p. 1.</ref>

In the April 1954 municipal primary, McConnell garnered 53 percent of the vote over two primary rivals, Jesse C. Anderson and Robert J. Hughes.<ref>"Springhill Elects New Mayor and Two Aldermen", ''Minden Press'', April 8, 1954, p. 1.</ref> He was succeeded after a single term by the businessman [[Jesse L. Boucher]]. From 1960 to 1969, McConnell was an elected member of the Webster Parish School Board.<ref name=mcconnell/> He resigned from the board two years into his second term<ref>"Charles E. McConnell Ward 2 School Board Member to Resign", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 27, 1969, p. 1.</ref> because in his words he had "too many irons in the fire to continue work on the board". A second board member, Alfred E. Day of Minden, a former schoolteacher, soon followed McConnell in resignation.<ref>"Webster Board Member A. E. Day Resigns Post", ''Minden Press-Herald'', May 6, 1969, p. 1.</ref>

In 1967 and 1971, McConnell waged losing campaigns for what is now the District 10 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives, having been defeated by fellow Democrats Parey Pershing Branton, Sr. (1918-2011) of Shongaloo and Richard Harmon Drew, Sr. (1917-1995) of Minden, respectively. In the first campaign, McConnell vowed if elected to "represent all equally" and to seek the "advancement of constituents without compromising ideals and principles."<ref name=mcconnell/>

In 1967 and 1971, McConnell waged losing campaigns for what is now the District 10 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives, having been defeated by fellow Democrats Parey Pershing Branton, Sr. (1918-2011) of Shongaloo and Richard Harmon Drew, Sr. (1917-1995) of Minden, respectively. In the first campaign, McConnell vowed if elected to "represent all equally" and to seek the "advancement of constituents without compromising ideals and principles."<ref name=mcconnell/>

In the Democratic primary held on November 4, 1967, McConnell finished in third place with 4,598 votes, behind Branton, also a former member of the Webster Parish School Board, who polled 6,127 votes. Two other candidates trailed McConnell and Branton in the primary, Minden attorney Henry Grady Hobbs (1923-2012), a native of nearby Sarepta,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=henry-hobbs&pid=162069317#fbLoggedOut|title=Henry Hobbs obituary|publisher=''Shreveport Times'', January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> who had lost the seat by sixteen votes to Branton in 1960, and James William "Tinker" Volentine (1915-1982), a Minden small [[business]]man and a native of Bienville Parish.<ref>"J. W. Volentine Enters Race for Representative Position", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref>​

In the Democratic primary held on November 4, 1967, McConnell finished in third place with 4,598 votes, behind Branton, also a former member of the Webster Parish School Board, who polled 6,127 votes. Two other candidates trailed McConnell and Branton in the primary, Minden attorney Henry Grady Hobbs (1923-2012), a native of nearby Sarepta,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=henry-hobbs&pid=162069317#fbLoggedOut|title=Henry Hobbs obituary|publisher=''Shreveport Times'', January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> who had lost the seat by sixteen votes to Branton in 1960, and James William "Tinker" Volentine (1915-1982), a Minden small [[business]]man and a native of Bienville Parish.<ref>"J. W. Volentine Enters Race for Representative Position", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 19, 1967, p. 1.</ref>​

The other seat at stake was won outright in the primary with 6,904 votes by John Sidney Garrett of Haynesville, who thereafter was tapped by [[Governor]] [[John J. McKeithen]] as the new Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives..<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 1967, p. 1.</ref> In the Democratic runoff primary held on December 16, 1967, Garrett remained neutral, and Branton prevailed 7,619 votes (52.6 percent) to McConnell's 6,857 (47.4 percent).<ref>"Branch, Branton, Jack Montgomery Win", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 18, 1967, p. 1.</ref>​

The other seat at stake was won outright in the primary with 6,904 votes by John Sidney Garrett of Haynesville, who thereafter was tapped by [[Governor]] [[John J. McKeithen]] as the new Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives..<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 1967, p. 1.</ref> In the Democratic runoff primary held on December 16, 1967, Garrett remained neutral, and Branton prevailed 7,619 votes (52.6 percent) to McConnell's 6,857 (47.4 percent).<ref>"Branch, Branton, Jack Montgomery Win", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 18, 1967, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1971, McConnell sought the legislative seat which Branton vacated to run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor to succeed Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, who ran instead for governor. This time, the senior Harmon Drew led in the primary balloting with 3,026 votes (25.2 percent). McConnell trailed in second place with 2,916 ballots (24.3 percent). In third place was the Minden educator Ralph Lamar Rentz, Sr. (1930-1995), who polled 2,739 votes (22.8 percent). Rentz proposed that Webster Parish establish a two-year educational program past the twelfth grade of high school to assist students seeking four-year college degrees, a reform implemented in Bossier Parish in 1967 which eventually became Bossier Parish Community College. And a community technical college opened years later in Minden. The businessman Houston Morris finished in fourth place in the legislative contest with 2,101 votes (17.5 percent). Two other candidates, including the late Minden businessman N. J. Cone, Jr., split the remaining 1,216 votes (10.1 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 9, 1971, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1971, McConnell sought the legislative seat which Branton vacated to run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor to succeed Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock of Franklin in St. Mary Parish, who ran instead for governor. This time, the senior Harmon Drew led in the primary balloting with 3,026 votes (25.2 percent). McConnell trailed in second place with 2,916 ballots (24.3 percent). In third place was the Minden educator Ralph Lamar Rentz, Sr. (1930-1995), who polled 2,739 votes (22.8 percent). Rentz proposed that Webster Parish establish a two-year educational program past the twelfth grade of high school to assist students seeking four-year college degrees, a reform implemented in Bossier Parish in 1967 which eventually became Bossier Parish Community College. And a community technical college opened years later in Minden. The businessman Houston Morris finished in fourth place in the legislative contest with 2,101 votes (17.5 percent). Two other candidates, including the late Minden businessman N. J. Cone, Jr., split the remaining 1,216 votes (10.1 percent).<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 9, 1971, p. 1.</ref>​

 

In the runoff election against Drew, McConnell ran on a platform advocating revision of the state tax code, greater industrial development, and the expansion of vocational technical education for the benefit of pupils unprepared for a college education.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 4, 1971, p. 10A.</ref> Armed with strong support in the Minden and south Webster area, Drew easily defeated McConnell, 6,774 votes (57.7 percent) to 4,965 (42.3 percent) in the runoff held on December 18, 1971.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', December 20, 1971, p. 1.</ref>

In the runoff election against Drew, McConnell ran on a platform advocating revision of the state tax code, greater industrial development, and the expansion of vocational technical education for the benefit of pupils unprepared for a college education.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 4, 1971, p. 10A.</ref> Armed with strong support in the Minden and south Webster area, Drew easily defeated McConnell, 6,774 votes (57.7 percent) to 4,965 (42.3 percent) in the runoff held on December 18, 1971.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', December 20, 1971, p. 1.</ref>