My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

JOHN F. O’CONNELL is a son of Patrick and Honora (Finley) O’Connell, and was born July 10, 1860, in Busti (Ashville), Chautauqua county, New York. His paternal grandfather, Patrick O’Connell, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he married Helen Gregg, by whom he had five children. They all came to America, four of whom, Michael, Morris, James and Patrick, settled in Chautauqua county, and John, the fifth son, settled in Toledo, Ohio, where he has charge of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. grain elevator. Morris entered the army and near the close of the war went home on a furlough, where he died. John Finley (maternal grandfather) was a native of Abby Fail, County Limerick, Ireland, where he spent his life. His wife was Julia Sullivan and they had several children. Patrick O’Connell (father) was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and came to America in 1849, locating at Buffalo, this State, for a short time, when he removed to Danville, from thence to Lakewood, this county, and afterwards to Ashville on a farm, where he lived about four years. He next went to Kentucky, where he became interested in a whiskey distillery, in which business he continued but a short time. He then returned to this county and the succeeding autumn sought new fields in Missouri and other western states, being absent about a year, during which time he speculated in fruit. He again returned to this county and, after having invested in real estate in Jamestown, he removed to that city where he now resides. He worked as a sailor on the great lakes before coming to this county and since his residence in Jamestown has undertaken contract work of various kinds. Politically he is a democrat, and in religious faith a member of the Catholic church. He married Honora Finley, by whom he had five children, four sons living in Jamestown and a daughter at home: Michael, Morris, Daniel, John F. and Mary.

John F. O’Connell received his education in the common schools and the academy at Jamestown and by self-study and close application. He worked for the Jamestown bedstead works for two years, afterwards with D. C. and J. W. Breed & Co. for eight years and five years with A. P. Olson. Considering himself well skilled in the business, he, with Andrew P. Quigley, commenced the manufacture of various kinds of furniture. This firm continued but three months, when he formed a partnership with W. T. Marsh and John Dschuden under the firm name of O’Connell & Co. They make a specialty of parlor and library tables and hall racks and employ seventeen men, besides having five salesmen on the road. Mr. O’Connell is a liberal democrat, always voting for the man whom he thinks is best fitted for the place. He has served as a delegate several times to the county conventions and for eleven years has been a member of the Deluge Hose Co., No. 1, having been assistant foreman for three years. Mr. O’Connell is liberal in his views, generous in temperament, and is always willing to aid in any movement which is for the interest of the city.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891. 

View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Chautauqua County, New York here: Chautauqua County, New York Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.