McHenry County Historical Society to plaque Richmond homestead

The McHenry County Historical Society Committee invites the community to the plaquing of the William McConnell Homestead at 6119 Broadway Road, Richmond at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.

John Drummond and Romalda "Rommy" Lopat have cordially invited the general public to the plaquing ceremony which will take place at this historic homestead. The significance of the McConnell Homestead is unmatched by most of McHenry County's first settlers because of his accomplishments and how he shaped the history of Richmond.

William Alexander McConnell, a carpenter and farmer, and the only son of five to survive, came to McHenry County from Pennsylvania in 1837 while the Indian wars were still raging. After spending the night under an oak sapling next to the North Branch of the Nippersink Creek, McConnell filed his claim.

By the winter of 1838, William and Elizabeth Bodine McConnell returned to McHenry County and built a sturdy 16- by 18-foot cabin near that same oak tree. It served as their home for 15 years and was the birthplace of their three sons, Abraham, John and George.

In 1840, William was able to buy his claim from the government and, through time, added to it, eventually owning 1,400 acres. Besides raising a family and creating a farmstead, William carved an amazing public service record. In 1841, he donated land to build the first schoolhouse in Montelona, later known as Richmond, Township, and he helped establish and erect the first township church.

With few, if any roads, William rode or drove his horse, time after time, to public meetings at the county seat in McHenry, then later to distant Woodstock. Besides establishing a cheese and creamery factory in Richmond, William became postmaster, school director, associate county judge, state representative and legislator, county board chairman, and eventually county commissioner.

McConnell owned so much land, that he was able to give each of his sons their own 500-acre farm complete with livestock, crops, a home, outbuildings and enough grain to last an entire year.

In 1852, only two states existed west of the Mississippi, the Gold Rush was still on, and it was then that William and Elizabeth built their first modern residence, on a hill. This five-bedroom, two-story Greek Revival residence, crafted of the finest materials available, was a fine reflection of the McConnell's success.

Between 1852 and 1872, the McConnell family, and the house, grew, with several alterations and additions. A front porch was added and windows were replaced around 1872. Not until the 1950s was indoor plumbing added along with a modern kitchen.

William A McConnell was known as a dignified, courteous and kind family man, devoting 30 years to the growth and shaping of McHenry County. Upon retirement in 1872, William and his wife built a small Greek Revival home across the street and lived there the rest of their lives. William died in 1887, and Elizabeth followed him in 1888.

The larger home was given to his son John and remained in the family until 1987 when John and Romalda purchased the McConnell Homestead.

But by now, the house, grounds, and barn had deteriorated into severe disrepair. Weekend by weekend, year by year, John and Rommy worked to stop the destruction, then stabilized and upgraded this historic home.

The 1872 front porch, dangerously dilapidated beyond repair, had to be removed, along with the original attached carriage/wood shed. A new structure of the exact same footprint and proportions replaced the original carriage/woodshed and today serves as a guest apartment and screen porch.

The original distressed woodshed wall boards can be seen, repurposed for a vaulted ceiling. The main structure's hand hewed oak floor beams still retain their original bark and the bold Egyptian Revival front parlor trim and doors, are complete, with the original faux finish. Much of the exterior siding and trim are original including a unique triangular pediment window in the east gable.

This window is highlighted by the larger triangular pediment in the gable which is a hallmark of Greek Revival houses. Several interior doors, locks, floorings, and plaster walls are also original to the home. Even the 1950s kitchen, with its Geneva metal cabinet and red Formica countertops, have been painstakingly retained.

From the beginning, John and Rommy recognized the historical significance of the McConnell Homestead and have done an outstanding job of preserving and maintaining it for future generations.

"Silent, but for the restless wind, the prairie lay. The lush green grasses moved as waves upon an inland sea. Here was life!," wrote Harvard, Ill., poet Martin Bergsjo in "The Prairie."

To William A. McConnell belongs the distinction of having been the first pioneer to invade the prairie wilds of this township.

People with architectural and/or historically significant buildings, homes, businesses, farms, are invited to apply for a plaque. Contact the McHenry County Historical Society at (815) 923-2267, info@mchenrycountyhistory.org or go to www.mchenry countyhistory.org.