Joseph Brown Connally was born to Mary Virginia Brown (1850-1927) and Dr. Elijah Lewis Connally (1837-1930). He attended Emory College from 1891 to 1894 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1896. He was associated with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and then went into the automobile business with E. H. Inman. In 1915, he became general manager of Connally Realty Company. He directed the construction of the Connally Building, an office building located at the corner of Alabama and Whitehall Streets, and he was owner of the Connally Barber Shop. In 1917, he completed officers training camp at Fort McPherson and received a commission as Captain. He was assigned to Camp Gordon and took command of the 325th Infantry, 163rd Brigade, 82nd Division. He became the regimental unit supply officer. In October 1918, he was severely gassed in the Argonne Forest offensive. He was hospitalized for his injuries and later released. In December 1918, he was appointed regimental intelligence officer and continued in this capacity until April 1919. Afterwards, he returned to Atlanta where he was once again hospitalized for the injuries he had received. He died at Fort McPherson Hospital on August 26, 1920 and was buried at Oakland Cemetery.