editor Ezra S. Stearns (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1908)
pp. 1433-1434
O'Connor
"There are no less than nine O'CONNOR branches of this family in Ireland. The name was originally O'Conchobhair, which signifies helping warrior, and has been anglicized into O'Connor, O'Conor, Conor and Conyers. Probably all these branches are remotely connected, because the coat of arms in nearly all cases is an oak tree in some form...
(I) Michael O'Connor was born in county Clare. Ireland, and in 1853 emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he lived till his death. He worked on construction for the Grand Trunk Railway Company, and was made blind while blasting rock about two years after he came to Canada. He belonged to tho Catholic Church, and was a Liberal in his political views. He married Ellen Grace, who came from county Clare with her husband. They had right children, six boys and two girls: Michael, Patrick J.. Bridget. John. Ellen. Thomas. Henry, William J. One of these children. William J. O'Connor, was the famous carsman. Michael O'Connor lived till 1897, but his wife died in 1860.
(Il ) Patrick Joseph, son of Michael and Ellen (Grace) O'Connor, was born in county Clare, Ireland, March 17, 1851. At the age of six he started for Canada with his aunt to meet his father, who had preceded them, but the ship was disabled and they had to put back. Two years later he embarked again and arrived at Toronto in 1860. .He was educated in the public and private schools of that city, and learned telegraphy at Don station nearby. He was also employed as weigher of coal and 1ron in the rolling mills of Toronto. In 1869 he came to the United States, and entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway at West Milan, New Hampshire. In December of the following year he was transferred to Percy, this state, where he has been station agent ever since. He is considered one of the most efficient agents on the entire system ; is always found on duty, and is courteous to all, honest, sober and industrious. He is a Democrat in politics, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He was. assistant postmaster of Percy for six years, and was appointed postmaster under Cleveland's administration. He is town treasurer, and was a member of the New Hampshire legislature in 1902 and 1903. He was unanimously elected representative, although the town is strongly Republican. He was one of the few who were present at every session, and he served on the committee relating to the Normal School. For eight years he was secretary of the Democratic town committee in Percy, and is now president. lie belongs to the Catholic Church, and has contributed liberally to the building of religious edifices and to charitable institutions. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
On September 15, 1874, Patrick Joseph O'Connor married Lydia M. Greene, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Robbins) Greene, of Percy. New Hampshire, and great-granddaughter of Edward Rowell, the first settler in the town. They have had ten children, of whom seven are now living: John Henry, William Lawrence, George Ellsworth, Ellen Grace, Charles Leland, Elizabeth Marion. Rowland Glennavon, Raymond St. Clair, Mabel Annie and Leo Brendon. John Henry was born at Percy, April 17, 1875, was educated at the high school and in a business college, and is now station agent on the Grand Trunk Railway system at Groveton, New Hampshire. William Lawrence, born February 28, 1878, was educated in the public and private schools, and is now a merchant in Percy. George Ellsworth, born June 21, 1879, was educated at public and private schools, and is now station agent of the Grand Trunk Railway system at Stark, this state. He is now (1907) serving in the capacity of selectman of the town of Stark. On April 26, 1905, he married Lydia M. Currier, of West Milan, New Hampshire, and they have one son, Lawrence Clifton, born March 12, 1906. Ellen Grace is mentioned below. Charles Leland, born April 27, 1882, died in infancy. Elizabeth Marion, born October 8, 1883. was educated in the public and private schools, and was the postmistress at Percy, until her marriage; was succeeded by her father. She was married May 29, 1oo, to Henry J. White, of Lancaster. Roland Glennavon, horn January 23, 1885. had a common school education, and is now a sergeant in the United States Signal Corps, at present in Havana, Cuba. Raymond St. Clair. born February 5, 1887, received a common school education, and is now a relieving agent on the Grand Trunk Railway system. Mabel Annie, born September 26, 1889. was educated in the public and private schools, and has also had musical instruction. She is now assistant postmaster at Percy. Leo Brendon, born April 24, 1892, died in babyhood. Besides rearing and educating their own children, Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor took a boy from the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, Frank Scully, who is now a telegraph operator at Deering Maine, and now (1907) they are educating William J. Stanton, who came from St. Joseph's Home, in Manchester.
(IIl) Ellen Grace O'Connor, eldest daughter of Patrick J. and Lydia M. (Currier) O'Connor, was born August 24, 1880. and in the autumn of 1903 was appointed postmistress of Percy, an office which she ably filled to the close of her life. Although regarded as a delicate child, as she grew older she became stronger, and enjoyed very good health until March, 1904. when a fall on the ice resulted in injuries from which she never recovered. After a few weeks she was able to be about, but soon became a patient and helpless invalid. On July 26, accompanied by her mother, brother, sister, and Dr. O'Brien, of Groveton, she was taken to Portland, it being thought that a surgical operation might restore her health. The hopes of her relatives and friends were, however, disappointed, and on July 31 she breathed her last. At the funeral, which took place on August 3, same year, the floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. The Rev. H. E. Lennon, her pastor, assisted by the Rev. J. Desmond, of Groveton, and the choir of the Catholic Church of Island Pond. Vermont, celebrated a solemn high mass. The services were largely attended by her many friends and the orders of which she was an active member. In the hearts of all who knew her she has left a beautiful memory."
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