Daniel McConnell, 1827-1908 STAFF, 3rd MI INF, Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI

Residence Kent County, Michigan. At 33 years old Daniel enlisted on 5/13/1861 as a Colonel.

On 6/10/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff MI 3rd Infantry
He Resigned on 10/22/1861

Daniel McConnell was born at Newbury, England on the 17th day of March, A. D. 1827. His father, a dissenting clergyman of the Methodist denomination, reared a large family in conformable circumstances, and removed with them to America when Daniel was but five years old. Locating at Rochester, New York. At the age of eleven years, Daniel was placed in the establishment of a leading jeweler of Rochester, where he remained between three and four years leaving finally on account of poor health which necessitated a more active occupation. At the age of fifteen years, he was sent from New York to Lexington, Missouri with a stock of goods to sell, which he closed out in a year. Soon after, he came West, to Grand Rapids, then a, thriving but isolated little village, he spent some time, returning, however, to New York. Early in the spring of 1846, he enlisted in Company I, 10th United States Infantry, to serve in the war with Mexico.
The next week, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, and sent to New Jersey, in the recruiting service. He served with credit during the war in the army under General Taylor, rising to the rank of Sergeant-Major.
Mustered out, he came to Grand Rapids to reside, and began a mercantile business. In 1850, he married Elizabeth L. Mundy, daughter of Judge Mundy, of the Michigan Supreme Court. The monotonous life of a merchant was diversified by an expedition to California, and by amateur military operations. He organized and commanded the Valley City Guards, a company that gave the United States four Generals, several Colonels, and a great number of Captains, Lieutenants, and minor officers. His military zeal and experience secured his promotion to the rank of Colonel in Michigan Militia, and as such the war of the rebellion found him. At the breaking out of the war, Col. McConnell and the Valley City Guards responded to the call for three months' men. The Colonel was authorized to raise the Third Michigan Infantry. Before the regiment was full, the order came changing the time from three months to three years Most of the men already raised reenlisted; the regiment was soon filled, and moved to Washington, Col. McConnell commanding. But the skill and experience which the Colonel had acquired in Mexico were not destined to be long available in this new and more important field. His health became seriously impaired, and, after nine months' service, he resigned his commission and returned to Grand Rapids, not, however, without having seen active service at the battles of Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run, where his' regiment did not share in the general demoralization but retained its discipline, and with another equally fortunate, had the honor of covering the retreat.
Since the war he has never fully recovered his health, and has not engaged in active business. After an active and adventurous career, having served his country in two wars, he baa retired to peaceful citizenship, retaining, however, the firm step and soldierly bearing which are the results of his military education.