Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 632
MICHAEL O'CONNOR

A sterling citizen of Missouri Valley, Iowa, is Michael O'CONNOR, who has been the general foreman of the boiler-making department of the Northwestern Railway shops in Missouri Valley since 1888. Starting in to become an expert boiler maker when a mere youth, he supplemented his practical training by a college course in mechanical engineering and is regarded by the company which employs him as one of its most valuable men. He is not only an expert boiler man, but has patented various inventions which have been widely used. He is active in the civic, political and religious life of his city and is regarded by all who know him as a man well worthy of the high esteem in which he is universally held.

Michael O'CONNOR, the son of Thomas and Catherine (SHANAHAN) O'CONNOR, was born at Hampton, New Jersey, October 2, 1854. His parents were both born in Ireland, but were not married until after they came to America. His father was a blacksmith by trade, a soldier in both the Mexican War and the Civil War. He received wounds in the MexicanWar which ultimately caused his death in 1871. In 1868 Thomas O'CONNOR and his family came west and located temporarily in Omaha, and permanently at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, the headquarters at that time of the Burlington railroad. In this latter city Thomas O'CONNOR died in 1871, his widow surviving him for more than ten years, her death not occurring until 1882. Four children were born to Thomas O'CONNOR and wife, three of whom are living, Cornelius, Thomas and Michael. Cornelius and Thomas are both engaged in business at Lincoln, Nebraska.

Michael O'CONNOR was about fourteen years of age when his parents came west and consequently he received most of his elementary education in his native state. Before reaching his majority he had served his apprenticeship as a boiler maker in the shops at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and later, appreciating the value of a college training, went to Quincy, Illinois, where he took the regular college course in St. Francis College, as well as a course in mechanical engineering. Upon his return to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, he was made assistant foreman, and in 1888 he was selected by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company as general foreman of the boiler-making shops in Missouri Valley and lines west of Missouri river, and he has been serving in this capacity continuously now for twenty-seven years. He has charge of all the engine boilers which are used on seventeen hundred miles of road in Nebraska, Wyoming and Dakota, a position which carries immense responsibility with it. Mr. O'CONNOR has patented the O'CONNOR locomotive fire-door flange, an extension used on practically all railroads over the country when once adopted by them.

Mr. O'CONNOR was married February 2, 1885, at Missouri Valley, Iowa, to Agnes O'CONNOR, the daughter of Patrick O'CONNOR, of that city, and to this union two children have been born, Arthur J., and Bessie Katherine, who are living with their parents.

Mr. O'CONNOR is a director of the State Savings Bank, of Missouri Valley, and also a director in the City Ice and Cold Storage Company. He has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison county, and one of similar acreage in Holt county, Nebraska. He is past president of the International Boilermakers' Association, an honor which came to him without solicitation, and shows the high esteem in which he is held by the boilermakers throughout the country. The family are all members of the Catholic church, and Mr. O'CONNOR is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is independent in politics and votes for men rather than for platforms. He has served on the city council six years and is an active and enthusiastic member of the Commercial Club.

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