The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-14


 Catholic to serve on the board of agents of the Bronson library and was it's president for some time. He served the city and county in various capacities and was a mem- Der of the legislature of 1889. He was a Civil war veteran and fought bravely at the first battle of Bull Run.
 One of Five Children
 Susan O'Neill was one of five children born to John and Mary Fitzpatrick O'Neill. Her bent to- ward legal training vas but natural. There probably never was prouder moment in the life of John O'Neill than when the firm sign read O'Neill, O'Neill, O'Neill and O'Neill.
 The death of John O'Neill in 1914 practically disintegrated the firm as Susan O'Neill gave up her law practice then to care for her mother who was in poor health from that time to the day of her own death. She never practiced law from that time on. The death of her brother, Attorney Joseph O'Neill occurred in 1921.
 For many years the O'Neill home was on Cooke street and the mem bers of the family were familiar to everybody along the thorough fare. Of late years, though, Miss O'Neill has made her residence In Woodbury where her death occur red. r7~- -'sg r .rt
 s.. Tributes of the Bar
 Members of the Waterbury Bar were as a unit in paying tribute to her and the family of which she was a member and which was such q conspicuous part of the legal life of Waterbury and the state Tor nalL a century or more.
 Attorney John H. McDonough, president of the Waterbury Bar as- sociation was deeply moved upon learning of the death of Miss O'Neill. q knew her for years as a woman of fine character, un- usually high intelligence and ex- ceptional legal ability" Attorney McDonough said. "She often dis played a strain of brilliancy that came to her from her distinguished father, John O'Neill, with whom she was associated in the practice of law. The 'O'Neill family will remain in legal circles as one of outstanding prominence"
 Attorney McDonough said he will appoint a committee to draw up resolutions upon the death or Miss O'Neill.
 Compensation Comsr. James M. Lynch, past president of the Waterbury Bar association said, "She had the distinction of being the first woman lawyer to appear before our State Supreme Court of Errors to argue a case. She also had the distinction of appearing before the United States Supreme court. She appeared in the famous case of Brennan vs the Berlin Bridge Go. During all her time at the Bar she was of great assis- tance to her distinguished father and seemed to have inherited great deal of his legal ability. am sorry to hear of her death."
 Attorney John H. Cassidy, past president of the Waterbury Bar association commented: Miss Su- san O'Neill's death shocks me. By heritage she was destined to be leader in the community. Endowed with an unusual intellect, she en- braced the law as her profession and in it's practice displayed ex- ceptional ability, particularly in the assistance she gave her brilliant father. The closing years of her life were those of self-sacrifice devoted to the care of her mother. Susan O'Neill was a living exam. pie of true filial love-"
 As a former associate of the firm in which she was member, Attor- ney Herman J. Weisman, vice president of the Waterbury Bar Association said, "Only those who can look back more than a quar- ter of a century can realize the loss this community suffers in the de- cease of the last one of the famous firm of O'Neill, O'Neill and O'Neill. Susan O'Neill as an able assistant to her brilliant father, helped mould many of the import ant decisions of this state. Always generous and helpful to everyone. she had many friends and long will be remembered for her fine character and personality.
 Having been associated with her in the practice of law for sew eral years, I feel her passing most keenly and know that many others will join in this same regret who have been beneficiaries of her many kindnesses and that her name and memory will long be revered."