John and Ella Speer Connel (original spelling) met at Geneva College in Logan County. They married and moved into a small home on land near the N.W. corner of the National Road (East Main Street) and Schneider Lane ( South Remington Road). Here they farmed and raised dairy cows.
In 1893, John moved the small home to the north on his two-acre property and built a larger two-story house.
Connel Farm and Dairy
by Edie Mae Herrel
Image (c) Bexley Historical Society
The Connel’s sold their produce at market and delivered milk to area residents. In 1898, they supplied milk to Camp Bushnell. In 1905, a greenhouse was added to their property so that they could thank their customers with flowers.
Connel family members by their delivery wagon. Margaret Connel is seen with her pet goat.
Image courtesy Bexley Historical Society
By 1931, not only had they added the second ‘l’ to their last name but Connell’s Florist was their main endeavor, a business begun by John and Ella’s son, Ralph.
John Connel with his Sugar Grove Dairy milk wagon and horse “Kit”.
Image courtesy Bexley Historical Society
This business remained just west of the Bexley Public Library on East Main Street until 2006, when the property was sold. The business became Connell’s Maple Lee and relocated to East Broad Street just east of Bexley.
Written by Nancy Beck
July 2026
All artwork and images (c) Bexley Historical Society 2026.
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