Thomas O'Connor 1856-1931

OCONNOR, RILEY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/1/2010 at 19:50:14

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
22 Jan 1931
page 1

Well Known Attorney Is Summoned

Thomas O'Connor for Nearly Half a Century Prominent and Active in County and District Affairs. Funeral Friday.

As we go to press, we learn with deep sorrow that Attorney Thos. O'Connor, whose serious condition was mentioned in our issue of the Democrat last week, passed away Wednesday afternoon about 1:45. His condition was for several days considered practically hopeless. Mr. O'Connor fell on a cement walk about a year ago and injured his skull. It is thought that a blood clot on the brain produced a result that finally proved fatal. Three brothers came from distant places to see him but had to return to their homes. On account of the long distance, a brother and sister in California cannot come to the funeral, which will be held Friday morning. Services will be conducted in St. Thomas church.

Mr. O'Connor was a native of the great state of New York. His boyhood home was North Bay, Oneida county. He was born September 7, 1856. Hence his age was 74. He was raised on a farm. In 1867 his father moved to Tama county, Iowa. Mr. O'Connor attended the Toledo High school and was a member of the class of 1879. Soon after he entered the law office of Struble & Kinne of that place. He was, during the latter's long career as an attorney and jurist, a warm friend of Mr. Kinne. Mr. O'Connor studied law for two years. He was admitted to the bar in 1881. He practiced in his home city for a year. In September, 1882, he was married to Mary C., daughter of Wm. H., and Elizabeth Riley. Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor came to Emmetsburg. Mr. O'Connor is survived by his beloved wife, two sons and one daughter. The sons are Charles of Colman, South Dakota, and Leo of this city. The daughter (words missing) Illinois. All have been at his bedside since his serious illness.

When in Emmetsburg but a short time, Mr. O'Connor bought a half interest in the Emmetsburg Democrat. He also opened a law office. In the fall of 1886, he was chosen county attorney by a large majority. On January 1, 1897, he sold his interest in the paper to the present owner. Mr. O'Connor was re-elected county attorney in 1888 and he also held the position from 1892 to 1894. Mr. O'Connor served as a member of the Emmetsburg city council for some time and he was active and influential in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. When the Emmetsburg Hotel company was organized he became a stockholder and was chosen one of the directors. He held several other important positions of this kind during the history of our community.

We shall have something additional to offer next week concerning the career and traits of Mr. O'Connor as we knew him long and intimately. For nearly 50 years he was our warm personal friend.

The Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
28 Jan 1931
Page 1

Tom O'Connor Local Attorney Called Beyond

Funeral Services Held Friday Morning From St. Thomas Church.

The death of Attorney Thomas O'Connor, which occurred at 1:45 p.m., Thursday, January 21, was mentioned in the last issue of the Tribune.

Funeral services were held at St. Thomas church Friday morning. Burial was in St. John's cemetery.

Mr. O'Connor's last illness was of only a few weeks' duration.

Thomas O'Connor was born in the state of New York, September 7, 1856. His earlier years were spent at North Bay, Oneida county in that state. He was raised on a farm. The family came to Iowa in 1867 and located in Tama county. He attended the high school at Toledo in that county and graduated in 1879. Following his graduation he entered the law office of Struble and Kinne of Toledo. He studied law for two years and was admitted to the bar in 1881 and practiced in his home town for a year or so.

In September 1882 he united in marriage with Elizabeth Riley. Soon after they came to Emmetsburg and established their home and subsequently resided here. Three sons and one daughter was born to them. One son died in infancy. The other sons, Charles of Coleman, S. Dak., and Leo of this city, and the daughter, Mrs. Mayme Hodgson of Quincy, Ill, with their mother survive. They were all with him during his late illness.

Mr. O'Connor opened a law office and also bought half interest in the Democrat from Mr. Ryan who was the founder of the paper. Soon after W. L. Branagan came here from Lawler and bought Ryan's remaining interest. In the fall of 1886 Mr. O'Connor was elected county attorney. The following January he sold his interest in the Democrat to Mr. Branagan. After that he devoted his full time to the practice of law.

He was re-elected county attorney in 1888. He served at county attorney from 1892 to 1894 also.

He was a man of affairs and was rated high as an attorney. We have often heard it said that he was an expert in selecting a jury. He was successful in his practice and accumulated a moderate fortune. He built a fine residence south of the Assumption church some years ago. At that time it was considered one of the finest homes in our city. He always provided generously for his family.

Mr. O'Connor was an active K. of C., Forester, and A. O. H. and was influential in all of these organizations. He was cordial to all and his friends found him to be exceptionally genial. He had a host of friends in Emmetsburg and Palo Alto county.

Besides his wife, two sons and daughter he is survived by four brothers and one sister. To them all the Tribune extends sincere sympathy.

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
29 Jan 1931
Page 5

The Funeral of Thos. O'Connor

Attended by Supreme and District Judges, Members of Bar and Many Citizens.

The funeral of Attorney Thos. O'Connor, whose death was mentioned in last week's Democrat, was held on Thursday morning. Services were conducted in St. Thomas church, the pastor, Father McNerney, officiating in a requiem high mass. Several of the favorite selections of the family were rendered by the choir. The members of the Palo Alto County Bar association consisting of Supreme Judge E. A. Morling, District Judge F. O. Davidson, Attorneys W. H. Morling, Guy L. Carmichael, E. F. Nefstead, Jas. W. Fay, Edward Kelly, E. H. Soper, A. J. Burt, D. G. McCarty and County Attorney A. W. Smith of this city and J. W. Sullivan and Luke Linnan of Algona attended in a body. Dan Kelly and W. J. Fisher, also local attorneys, were two of the pall bearers. The other pall bearers were W. I. Branagan, Paul Schany, E. M. Thompson and Chas. Duhigg. The burial was in the family lot in St. John's cemetery. Many friends were present from various parts of the county.

Mention was made in our last issue concerning the passing of Mr. O'Connor, the members of his family and his official career as a publisher, an attorney and as a citizen.

Mr. O'Connor was the first county attorney chosen in Palo Alto after the state law became effective having county attorneys instead of district attorneys. He was a capable trial lawyer and he was very successful in picking and convincing jurors. Very few members of the bar in this section of the state were as influential as he was in this respect. In his various campaigns for election, he was a competitor who was always feared by those who were in the race against him. He was pleasant, jolly, offhanded and was always willing to accommodate those whom he met. He was a strong member of the Emmetsburg city council and was invariably in favor of public improvements. He served as a director of the Emmetsburg Hotel company and did his full part to give our community the splendid Kermore, which is such a credit to our little city. He was also one of the organizers of the Emmetsburg Building & Loan Association.

Mr. O'Connor was a tasty and enterprising improver. His home built south of the Assumption church property many years ago was one of the beauty spots of our community. Later he erected a fine home in the northwest part of our city. He spared no pains to give the members of his family every possible comfort and convenience. Later he sold this property and bought the place on Lake street where he and Mrs. O'Connor resided for many years. The home was known by scores for its tasty surroundings and its true hospitality. The writer enjoyed the confidence, the friendship and the hearty support of Mr. O'Connor from the first day he reached Emmetsburg. Hence we feel a keen personal loss in his passing. The many hours we spent in his association and in consulting with him legally and on other matters will always be highly treasured. Mrs. O'Connor, the sons, the daughter and other relatives have our heartfelt sympathy in the mournful hours that have come to them.