James Connor 1818-1897 Obituary

Death of an Old Citizen
James Connor Passes Away at a Good Old Age
He Had Lived in This City for Forty-three Years and was Highly Respected - Funeral Services

One of Evanston's oldest citizens passed quietly and peacefully away last Saturday, dying surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren and at peace with all the world.  This was Mr. James Connor, who had reached the good old age of 79 years, and who had been a resident of this city for forty-three years.
Mr. Connor was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1818, was married and four children were born to him there.  He came to this country and located in this city forty-three years ago, his first house being built on what is now Stockham Park, just south of the present residence of Mr. D.H. Burnham.  In 1862 he moved to the corner of Ridge avenue and Lake street, where he lived for twenty years.  For over thirteen years he has made his home with his son, Thomas E. Connor, at 1217 Oak avenue, and it was there he died.
His children, most of them residents of this city and all well known and highly respected here, are J. C. Connor, head of the hardware house of that name and now dead; John A. Connor, of Connor & Mc Cann; Ellen, who married Philip Sullivan of Chicago; Bridget, now dead, who married Frank Hayden, Mary, who married James Haukhey (sic Haughey) of Chicago; Thomas E. Connor of the hardware house of Connor & Arnold.  Their children, the grandchildren of James Connor, number fifty-seven.  His wife died fourteen years ago and since then he had not engaged in any active occupation, although his health was uniformly good up to a week before his death.  He worked for a great many years for Mr. H. B. Hurd, Mr. Bliss and John A. Pearsons, and was always steady, industrious and reliable.  His maiden sister, of nearly the same age as Mr. Connor, died in the same house, just five months to a day before him.
His first hemorrhage occurred the Sunday previous to his death and he seemed to take it as a warning and was prepared for the end when it came.  He took to his bed and remained there, but did not suffer greatly.  All his living children were at his bedside to soothe his last moments.
The funeral occurred Monday at 10 o'clock a.m., at St. Mary's church, Fr. Smyth celebrating solemn high mass, assisted by Fathers Conway and Burke.  Father Smyth in his remarks on Mr. Connor's life said: "I may speak of his honesty, the straightforward manner of his dealing with all men.  None ever knew him to be underhanded in what he did or to be other than kindly.  He was broad in his charity.  He included every one in his benevolence.  He always thought kindly and spoke kindly of all he knew well or met as acquaintances.  His friends were many.  Every man, woman and child who knew him knew they had a friend in him.  His long devotion and loyalty to this church and his people here will not be forgotten soon."
The cortege which followed the remains to Calvary cemetery was one of the largest ever seen in this city, and the floral offerings from relatives and friends were very beautiful as well as numerous, and testified the high regard in which Mr. Connor was held.
The pallbearers were six of Mr. Connor's grandchildren, Charles J. Connor, William Connor, John Hayden, Frank Sullivan, Alexander Sullivan and Peter Sullivan.
Evanston Review, October 9, 1897