#247, John Wanklyn McCONNEL

John trained as a Barrister, became a JP and was the owner of a number of cotton mills in the Manchester area, one of them perhaps being Wellbank. He became Vice President of the Fine Cotton Spinners & Doublers Association. He lived at Prestwich, Manchester but the family home was Knockdolian Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. He travelled widely, particularly in USA and in 1915 was on the Lusitania on the way home when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U20. He was one of the lucky ones rescued.

Having no children he left his Knockdolian Estate to a nephew, Col. Douglas McConnel whose only daughter, the Duchess of Wellington inherited it.