Edward J. Connely

Edward J. CONNELY, whose close identification with the development of various interests in and around Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, classes him among the leading representatives of affairs in that county, is a son of Edward CONNELY, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, and came to this country in his boyhood. He located at Troy Hills, Morris county, where he engaged in farming, a pursuit he followed until his death at the age of fifty-nine years. He married Margaret DOLAN and became the father of seven children.

Edward J. CONNELY was born in Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1865. He received his education in the public schools of the county, and went to Paterson, New Jersey, at the age of fifteen years, and returned to Whippany about seventeen years ago. He then found employment with the firm of ANDERSON Brothers, in the silk business, and held the position of foreman for them in their silk mills for a period of thirteen years. Upon his return to Whippany he lived near that town for two years, then in 1899 purchased a tract of fifty acres of land of which his present farm is a portion. He sold the largest part of this tract, however, and has been engaged is buying and selling to a large extent, being the owner at the present time of twelve different parcels of land here, and two parcels at Morris Plains. While he cultivates his farm for market purposes and is also extensively engaged in the hay business, he gives a considerable share of his time to real estate matters, with which he became identified in an important manner. He organized the Hanover Construction Company, of which he, his wife, and Nate TOMS are the sole stockholders, and he also organized the Hanover Building and Loan Association, of Morris Plains, and assisted in organizing a number of other corporations. He has taken an active part in the political affairs of the county, served as treasurer of the township six years, was a member of the township committee nine years, and is now a member of the Republican county committee. He is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. CONNELY married Eleanor L. SEYMOUR, and has children: Eleanor, a nurse; Francis, a twin of Eleanor; John, an automobile machinist; Marie, a student at a business college; Florence.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)