McConnell is an unincorporated community in Waddams Township in Stephenson County, Illinois.

In 1836, John Dennison claimed 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) east of the Pecatonica River for the purpose of starting a town.

The area was heavily timbered and required a saw mill, which was erected north of the grove on a small creek in the spring of the year.

This mill, located on Muddy Creek, was operated by Dennison and John Van Zant.

By the spring of 1838, Dennison and Van Zant had made several land improvements and sold all of it, including the mill, to Robert McConnell.