John O'Connor (Co. H) Obituaries

   Geneseo, March 5.--John O'Connor, youngest of the three Civil War veterans of Geneseo, died yesterday from a general breakdown from which he had long been suffering. He was seventy-nine years old.

   Mr. O'Connor was prominent in Geneseo for a full half-century. During much of that time he was one of its Main street merchants. He was born in Ardee on the Dee River, County Louth, Ireland, but his father emigrated to LeRoy, N.Y., soon afterwards and sent for the family, so that most of Mr. O'Connor's schooling was in this section. Young O'Connor did not have long to go to school, however, for the Union was in peril, the Federal government calling loudly for more men, and he and every brother of his of military age responded to that call.

   When he joined Company H, Twelfth New York Cavalry, John was a stripling of fourteen. He came through the conflict without injury, but his two brothers fared not so well. Arthur was taken prisoner and long subjected to semi-starvation at Andersonville prison, eventually being exchanged and recovering, but Dennis, after passing through great peril, was killed by an enemy sharpshooter while engage in peaceful camp duties.

   Returning to LeRoy after being mustered out, Mr. O'Connor took up carpentering and soon moved to Geneseo, his first work being on Congressman Wadsworth's place. A few years afterwards he bought a Main street restaurant in Geneseo, and operated it until his retirement.

   He is survived by a son, Lewis C. O'Connor, Geneseo law partner of former Attorney-General Charles D. Newton. Mr. O'Connor is one of the state's deputy-attorney generals. The other children are: William D. O'Connor, of Rochester; John T. O'Connor, of Buffalo; Helen L. O'Connor, of Glen Cove, L.I., all of these former Geneseo residents, as well as fourteen grandchildern and two great-grandchildren. Mr. O'Connor's wife, who was Miss Catherine McGovern, of Caledonia, died many years ago. The funeral will be held at St. Mary's Church, Geneseo at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, Reverend Edward J. Bayer officiating, with interment at St. Mary's Cemetery.

   Last Sunday morning John O'Connor, one of the few surviving civil war soldiers, died at his home on Second street, leaving George Williams, Edward G. Peterson and William Milliman as the last three G.A.R. men in town. (Literally Mr. O'Connor was never affiliated with the G.A.R. organization.) His death followed a general breakdown from which he had long been suffering.

   Mr. O'Connor was one of Geneseo's best known men and was prominent in local affairs for about fifty years. He was born in Ardee on the Dee River, County Louth, Ireland, and came to America with his father when a small boy. The family settled in LeRoy and he received such schooling as he could acquire up to the age of fourteen, when he joined the Union forces and fought in the civil war. He and every one of his brothers of military age responded to the call for men. His company was Co. H, 12th New York Cavalry. He never received a wound but two of his brothers fared worse. Arthur was taken prisoner and learned at first hand the horror of Andersonville, finally being exchanged; and Dennis was picked off by a Confederate sharpshooter while engaged in camp duties.

   After the war Mr. O'Connor engaged in the carpentering trade in LeRoy and after a short time moved to Geneseo, his first work being on Congessman Wadsworth's place. After a few years he bought the restaurant on Main street now conducted by A. J. Jamieson, which he conducted for many years.

   He is survived by three sons, Lewis C. O'Connor of this village, deputy attorney general, William D. of Rochester, and John T. of Buffalo; one daughter, Mrs Helen L. Skinner of Glen Cove, L.I., as well as fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was held Tuesday morning with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Rev. J. Edward Bayer officiating.