Samuel  O'Connor


             Samuel O'Conner (deceased), was born in County Londonery, near Linivada, Ireland, June 4, 182 1, and died in Shelbyville, December 2, 1886.  His marriage took place May 12, 1849,  Miss Mary J. McGinn,  of Philadelphia.  Mrs. O'Conner died August 20, 1884.  There were six children born to this union:  Annie,  Kate,  Alice,  Samuel, Jr.,  Jennie  and  James.  Mr. O'Conner came to Shelbyville in 1S52, and opened a tailor shop and later engaged in the clothing business.  He continued this occupation until 1870, when he sold his stock of goods and [?] in the wine and liquor business, and in that was still engaged at the time of his death.  By close application to business he had become in easy circumstances.  He was a member of the City Council for several years; was also a member of the hrst tire company ever organized in Shelbyville.  He was public spirited, and gave frequent encouragement to enterprises favoring the common weal.  "Uncle Sam," as he was familiarly known, commanded the respect of unnumbered friends.  He was one of our leading citizens.  He was careful and shrewd in all of his dealings.  Andrew Raymond,  Mr. O' Conner's son-in-law, was born in this county September 26, 1845.  He moved to Shelbyville in 1869.  He was married November 27, 1882, to  Alice O'Conner.  James O'Conner, the youngest of these six children, was born August 22, 1865.  He received a common school education.  He is now engaged in the wine and liquor business at his father's old stand.  He bought an interest in the wine and liquor store after his father's death, and now runs it in partnership with Andrew Raymond.  Mr. O'Conner is one of the popular young business men of this city.
History of Shelby County, Indiana,  "Shelbyville Sketches," page 520, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelby  Democrat
 February 13, 1879
VOL. 1; No. 37
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from the article,
SMILING  SHELBYVILLE!
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          Is the oldest business man in the city of Shelbyville, now doing business, who has been actively engaged in commercial life for the same number of years who has paid at all times one hundred cents on the dollar for his indebtedness.  This is a fact worth knowing, and one of which Mr. O'Connor may well be proud. Few men in this or any city who have been actively engaged in business for twenty-seven years can say as much.  During his business life in this city, financial distress has several times appeared in our midst, and he has passed through them without a blemish on his credit. Such a man is an honor to any city.
          Mr. O'Connor  was born in Derry County, Ireland, in the year 1821.  He came to this country in 1847, landing in Philadelphia, when he immediately began working at the tailoring business.  He remained in that place until 1852, when he came to this city and embarked in the merchant tailoring business, in Dr. Robins' old frame building on the north side of the Square.  After remaining in that location for several years, he moved to the room now occupied by  Julius Joseph, and added to his merchant tailoring department a stock of ready made clothing and gents furnishing goods.  He carried on business in that location until 1869, when he sold his stock to  David Robertson, and went into the liquor business in an old frame building, the present location of  THE DEMOCRAT  office.
          In 1873, he moved to his present location, and a short time after, purchased that property of  George Morrison.  He now runs one of the most orderly liquor establishments in this section of the country.  During his residence in this city, Mr. O'Connor has served about seven years as city councilman - served so acceptably that no stain has ever been cast upon his character.  He carries a large stock of bourbon and other brands of whiskies, brandies, gin, wines etc.  Also a large stock of foreign and domestic cigars and all kinds of tobacco.  No rowdyism is ever seen about his place of business.  He is a retail dealer, sells by the quart and gallon, in quantities not to exceed five gallons.
Next biography in the "Smiling Shelbyville" newspaper article, J. C. Letsinger.
Contributed by Jeanne Surber

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