Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1909-08-27
Business Men Of Frederick From
1910 to the Present Time.
WILLIAM A. CONNER.

AAAG AAOlnI III A9AOAAhE O0uhNIg l4aA AuAAA
, Stopping at Frederick to visit a sister, hC
met the late Ex-Governor John w. Hall
! who at time was a clerk in a store and al
go conducted a cabinet shop. Mr. Con
ner contracted with Mr.. Hall to build a
large quantity of furniture, among which
were several side boards, the first of that
article Of furniture ever manufactured in
the town. After remaining in the en-
ploy of Mr.. Hall for nearly a year, he
concluded to return to his native State
Maryland-and did So
On the fourth day of March 1871, the
very day William Henry Harrison was
inaugnrated President of the United
States, Mr. Conner was married TO Esther
Smith, a bell of Marshy Hope, and dis
tant relative of the Salisbury family Of
Delaware, He and his wife located at
Denton where their first child, D. A Con-
nor, was born. In l845, he with his
wife and child returned to Frederick,
where he spent the remainder of his life.
W. A. Conner was a man Of very &C
tive temperament, and was never better
contended than when actively employed;
he was very progressive and was possess.
ed of strong native ability. He was some
what impulsive in disposition and rarely
deliberated long before a decision was
reached. While his independent spirit
never would allow him to brook an in
suit or bear an imposition without re-
senting, he nevertheless possessed much
humane feeling and kindness of heart.
On one occasion, as he was going home a
very cold night; he saw a friendess,
homeless, penniless, stanger, standing on
the street. Mr. Conner passed on to his
home but could not retire. His feelings
we're so wrought upon that he went after
the man and escorted him to his home,
fed him and gave him shelter through
the night, and on the morrow found him
employment This incident is mention
ed to show, that in his religious views,
he was not only orthodox, but practical
also He pinned his faith to that portion
of scripture which is the verY essence of
christianity, Whatsoever We would that
men should do to you do We even so to
them"
From 1915. when he permanently loca-
ted in Frederick, for more than half a
century William A. Conner was an active
business man and a useful citizen of the
town. During the early years of his res
idence here he was mostly engaged in car
peDtering, but subsequently bought out
a cabinet and undertaking establishment.
After running the business successfully,
for a while he sold it and invested in
the wheelrighting and blacksmithing bus
mess. Soon however, he had a favorable
of selling out to an advan-
tage and did 30. Next he bought wag-
on and stock of goods of a peddler, but
lisliking the business discarded it and re-
turned to the more substantial and trust
worthy occupation OF house building.
From this time until his sons we're grown
md he had taught them his handcraft ! !
lE Atle ~ anu uCNOAEu
lis time to the erecting of buildings. He
vas a mechanic of the first order and dir
cited many of the substantial residences
n Frederick and the surrounding country.
lis last achievement in this direction
vas the building of the large town Hail
+ this place, which will for many years
,erhaps remain a fitting monument of
lis genius and workmanship. Sometime
n the seventies he discontinued the car
enter business and returned to his for
ler occupation of cabinet making and
to which he added furni-
lre store. In this business be remained
, the time OF his death. During his &C.
we business life he made great deal of
honey and succeeded enough to render
i'm comfortable in his declining years.
lie and his wife reared a family of five
sons and two daughters
. of whom are living but one Their
dest son, David A. Conner, early in life
ave promise of literary taste. In early
anhood he located in Milton. For
any years he engaged in teaching and
as likwise gained considerable notoriety
a newspaper correspondent. To this
he is particularly we'll fitted,
assessing as he does a retentive memory
vivid imagination and brilliant con.
ption to which is added a large fund of
neral information. The second son,
lomas D. Conner, is a carpenter and
ilder and resides in Frederick. VIM.
Conner is a bookkeeper in the Pull
an Palace Car works in Wilmington,
,lawsre. The eldest daughter Hatty,
lrried Captain James Lollis, a promi-
Mt sailor, who lost his life off Cape
ltteras in a terrible storm, while mas.
of the schooner Ella B. Wheatly.
;. Lollis survived her husband but
' years. Laura, the youngest daugh-
), married Harry F. Mitten, undertaken
! furniture dealer in Frederick, one of
, most reliable business men of the
Vn.