George Newton McConnell was born on July 15, 1895 at McConnell, Manitoba and received his early education at Viola Dale School. He graduated from the Manitoba Agricultural College in 1912 and began his farming career on the "home" farm.

In 1918 he married Mary Allshire of Hamiota, Mantioba. They had a family of one daughter and two sons.

McConnell raised grain, Yorkshire pigs, Percheron horses, and Aberdeen Angus cattle. The cattle were of top quality and won prizes when shown at local fairs.

Mr. McConnell showed an interest in agricultural problems and was active in farm and other organizations.  He served as secretary of McConnell Cooperative Elevator Association; and was a Director of Manitoba Pool elevators, Canadian Cooperative Wheat Producers Ltd., Canadian Pool Agencies Ltd., Pool Insurance Company and Canada Livestock Cooperative Western Ltd., Vice President of Manitoba Pool Elevators. He attended the Conference of the International federation of Agricultural Producers in Paris in 1948. Mr. McConnell was also active in the Boy's and Girl's Clubs, Sunday School and School Board.

In 1956, Mr. McConnell was appointed to the Board of Grain Commissioners of Canada becoming the Chairman in 1961 with responsibility for the supervision and guaranteeing of Canadian grain quality standards and the movement of Prairie grain to markets.  As he saw it, "to see that the producer gets a fair and equitable deal and that quality is maintained throughout."

He never forgot he was working for the farmer and devoted his life to agriculture and to the welfare of the western producer.