The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-03-10

ed that service, and as chairman of the
committee have made report TO the Con.
vention. That report and the report of
the committee to take into consideration
the loss which the Convention and the
public, as we'll as those more intimately
related 10 Or. O'Cunnor, have sustained
in his death, are now before the Convcn
ton. And as / had been on terms of in
timacy with him all his life, it would not
seem inappropriate, trust, that should
speak of him on this occasion
Daniel o Colnor, father of. the deceas
ed, was born in Ireland IN 179O. He en-
tered the British army early in life, served
several years in Spain in the armies of
wellington and others, endured the hard
ships of French prison, and was sent
to Canada near the close OF the war OF
lS12-l5. Thinking, as he has often told
me, that he had served "His Majesty"
long enough, and, imbued with love of
Our free institutions, he, with two CON-
rades, crossed in small boat from
Queenstown to the American shore, and
after remaining in New York short time
he came on foot to Wheeling, Virginia,
and thence to Woodsfeld, the county
seat of the then new county of Monroe.
This was in 1917 or 1918 He was there
married to Rebecca Carrothers, soon az
terward, and resided there the remainder
of his life. Here John Deming O'Con-
nor, the second issue of the marriage, was
born September "a, 1922
There was at Woodsfeld during the
bpyhood of DR.. O'Connor an academy,
which at one time was in very flourish.
ing condition. Andrew F. Ross and
James P. Mason, who after ward had large
reputation as professors in Bethany Col
lege, were connected with the academy.
and Dr.. OConnor derived no little ad-
vantage from it. But, rs he has often in
formed the,he was indebted to the private
and public instruction of Franklin Gale,
Esq, now OF Columbus, more than to all
Others, for his vefv excellent education,
and especially his knowledge of the Ian
guages and mathematics.
Recurring to his father, Daniel O'Con-
nor, take pleasure in bearing testimony
to his worth. When he died, in 1872, at
the age Of 81 years, he had been Recor-
der of Monroe County more than quar-
ter of century and it may be safely af-
frmed that he died as he had lived, with
out single enemy on earth.
DR.. O'Connor, pursued the study Of
medicine and surgery at Woodsfeld, un-
der the direction Of Dr. Josiah M, Dillon,
and located at Clarington,a village on the
Ohio River, in his native county. There,
without money, or influential friends, he
engaged in the practice of his profession
With that zeal and perseverance which
rarely fails to secure success. With a
constitution never robust, but of the
kind known as wirey, he performed an
amount OF labor in riding over the hills
OF Monroe and West Virginia that as
tonished his friends. There, by his in
dustry and economy, he acquired q COM
Portable home There he built up and
maintained an extensive practice, and
made many warm friends who remember
him with affection. There, in 1S45, he
was married to Ruth G Neff
In 1856 DR.. O'Connor becoming desi,
rous Of adding to his knowledge Of med
icine and surgery, and thus extending his
usefulness. attended course of lectures
in Miami Medical College, and was grad
uated from that institution in 1858 during
which time he received instructions from
the elder Mussey, Murphy, Dawson, Da.
Wis, and others He had the kind attend
ance of Drs. Dawson and Reamy during
the present session of the Convention,
but his wasted constitution was beyond
human skill
In 1851 DR.. O'Connor was elected to
represent Guernsey and Monroe Coun-
ties in the State Senate, and was re-elect
ed in 1858 In the fall of 1865 he remov-
ed to Seneca County, and located near
the city of Tiflin, where he engaged in the
practice Of his profession. But disease
of the lungs and hard labor had so i'm
paired his health that he did not enter in
to general practice at Tifin His repu
tstion, however, there, as we'll as in Mon
roe County, as skillful physician ani
surgeon, was equal to that of any man il
the State; and, surely, reputation wa'
never more deserved Twas pleased, fur
thermore,to learn at that pleasant city
that he was not only regarded as an orna
ment to the medical profession but tina
he had, by his faithful attention to hi
public duties, and his intelligent under
standing, of public affairs, acquired th'
reputation of statesman; and that IL
was regarded as a genial gentleman, ant
above all true Christian.
DR. O,Connor was elected delegate
to this Convention in April, and was con
slant in his attendance at its sittings unit
about three weeks ago. 1t is not proba
BILE that there is another member of tn
Convention-indeed, i doubt whether an
other man could be found-who woul'
attend this body in like physical condi
ton. Some one said of Alexander Ste
phens, Of Georgia, that in him you coul'
almost see living snul. So it was wit
DR.. O'Connor. But no one, howeve
great his will power, can escape the des
tiny that awaits us all. He gradual.
wasted away until Saturday, Februar,
q, 1874, at 9 o'clock P. when, like
tired child in the arms of its nurse, he fel
asleep. "He dreams not, he hears moi
he's free from all pain" Two weeks pre-
vious to his death he was, at his own re
quest, removed TO the Good Samarita
Hospital, where he received the kindes
attention,and at his last moment was SUI
rounded oy his family and friends.
Nj. President, word concerning ou
friend, as he appeared to me, and l thin
to Others, and will close.
As q scholar his attainments were yer