The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-22

It has been well and truly said that, "In the death of James O'Connor, an historic figure has passed from our midst James O'Connor was born in Crossmolina, County Mayo. Ireland, in 1926 He came to America when young man, and was first engaged as civil en- gineer in the construction of small railroad, extending from Lanesborough to Lackawaxon. Sullivan county, New York.
 This road was subsequently, extended to Honesdale Pa, where he resided Tor a short time leaving that town to enter the army, bound for Mexico. When his term of service ended, he came south, remain ing for a short time at Savannah, Ga, where he entered the mercantile business; from there he moved to Apalachicola, Fla. Soon, desire to be runited with his family took possession of him, and he brought his mother, brothers and sis- ters to America, where they could enjoy that freedom of soul, thought and liberty of conscience so dear to the Irish heart, of which they were at that time deprived by the exactions of English rule. After living to see her children respected and
  ago in Florida at the advanced age of 96.
 He entered the Confederate army early and remained to the close thereof. After the war he moved to Columbus Ga, where he engaged in business with Ed ward Rafferty. The firm moved to Bir- mingham in November. 1871, and oc- cupied a one-story wooden store erected by the late w. D. Turnbough, situated on Second avenue on the lot upon which now stands the building occupied by the Peter Zinzer' Furniture company. Later they erected the store on the corner of Twenty y-first street and First avenue, for several years occupied by Collas Brothers as fruit store; to this store, they moved May, 1873.
 He was a member of the first board of Aldermen elected by the people, De- cenber 1872, and continued to serve tho city in that capacity until December 1880. He served the city one term as po- lice recorder when that office was first created.
 Mir. O'Connor's family, consisting of himself and wife, one son and daughter, was one of three families that went to make up St. Paul's congregation when it was first organized, November 1871. At its first organization the congregation num- bered 2S souls. today 1t numbers 40y0. In the early days of Birmingham "Jim" O'Connor's purse string had no knots in it when a cry of distress or an appeal fold aid reached his ears. He possessed great knowledge of this world and the business of it. He evnced great idea for detail; as an alderman all the branches of public administration came under his notice and his advice was con- stantly sought by the various officers of our little municipality. His extensive travel, united with the extensive informa- ton he had gathered, made him com panion sought out by his friends and neighbors.
 He possessed a sound and extensive judgment, which, by a sort of sympathy attached itself to truth; and rejected what was fais without attempting to refute it. He despised that artificial politeness with which the world is pleased but his goodness. his humanity, and his generos- ity, composed species of politeness in fnitely more rare and inestimable as it sprang entirely from the heart Prudent without being cunning, he