Michael O'Connor

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Michael O'Connor

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

One of the most popular and widely known citizens of Montville is Michael O’CONNOR, who is a self-made man, working his way up to his present position by his own unaided exertions, achieving success by means of industry, perseverance and thrift, attributes which are necessary to an active and useful career. James O’CONNOR, his father, was a native of Ireland, where he was reared and educated, removing from there to England, and later emigrated to the United States, locating in Calicoon, New York, where he was employed as a laborer, and where his death occurred. His wife, Mary (CAIRN) O’CONNOR, bore him thirteen children, and the family was highly respected in the community.

Michael O’CONNOR was born in England, in 1856. He attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, after which he served an apprenticeship in the iron business, later working as an journeyman, both in England, and in this country, whither he removed in early life. About a quarter of a century ago he removed to Montville, Morris county, New Jersey, and erected the Columbia House, which contains ten bed rooms in addition to other necessary rooms, all neatly furnished and well kept, this being one of the best hotels in the county and the finest in this section, also having accommodation for driving and auto parties. In addition to the management of the hotel, to which he devotes the greater part of his time, Mr. O'CONNOR conducts a bottling business, bottling beer and soft drinks, from which he derives a good income, and the capital he has accumulated has been invested in real estate, he being the owner of eight buildings in Montville, the revenue from which adds considerably to his income. In point of service Mr. O'CONNOR is the oldest man engaged in the hotel business in this section of the county, and his genial disposition and urbane manners have gained for him an extensive patronage, his guests ever finding in him a most hospitable host, who does all in his power to make their visit a pleasure. Mr. O’CONNOR is a member of the Sacred Heart Church (Catholic) of Boonton, Holy Name Society, St. Patrick’s Alliance, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montville. He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held public office.

Mr. O’CONNOR married Mary Ellen MOORE. Children: Mary Ethel, Margaret and Anna Odell, who died, aged thirteen years. Mr. O’CONNOR is a man of broad and practiced general information, is one of the public-spirited men of the community, and is faithful in the fulfillment of any obligation that rests upon him in public or in private life.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)