John O'Connor 1837- 1863

AMIDON, OCONNOR

Posted By: Coke Helmstetter (email)
Date: 4/21/2005 at 11:28:48

Obituary from the Onawa paper: Death of John O'Connor. John O'Connor, a well known and much loved man, passed away Tuesday evening at eight o'clock. He was born in Hartsville, Steuben County, New York October 28, 1837. He grew to a strong, vigorous manhood in his native town. When the civil war began John O'Connor's patriotic soul was stirred on behalf of the Union. However, it was not until the following year that he enlisted. He was enrolled as a Private in Company F, of the 86th regiment of New York Volunteers, on the 11th day of August, 1862. John O'Connor, as a soldier, saw services. He passed through that fearful day of July 3, 1863, on Cemetery Ridge. A fierce cannonade was kept up by Lee for hours until Cemetery Ridge was like a furnace, but the Union boys held on. There, Mr. O'Connor received a terrible wound in the head from the bursting of a shell. He never fully recovered from this blow, it was responsible for much of his sickness in later years. He was discharged from service at U. S. Hospital Central Park, NY, the 22 day of September, 1864, and entered upon an honored career as a citizen of the Union which he had so nobly helped to preserve. Many years of his private life have been spent in Onawa. Mr. O'Connor was a staunch member of the Onawa Christian church, being on the official board for a number of years and shall be greatly missed in the church councils. He was married to Phoebe Amidon, January 30, 1859. Five children were born in this home; but two remain. Mrs. Fred Sykes of Onawa, and Mrs. Cole Schmelzer of Pueblo, Colorado. These two, with his wife, are the immediate ones of his family, who are mourning his departure. Mr. O'Connor was a charter member of the Hanscom Post, and was one of its officers until his death. The funeral will be from the Christian Church Friday morning; the Hanscom Post will be in charge assisted by the pastor of the church. Interment in the city cemetery. A soldier of the Nation and of Christ sleeps. Peace to his memory.