|
|
Born Nicholas John O'Connor, my great grandfather's name was changed (at the time of enlistment into the U.S. Army) to CONNOR. Research as of 2001 has not yielded information as to the origins of the O'Connor Family in Ireland; however, Nicholas' daughter -in -law, Mary Agnes Egan Connor, asserted that they came from County Sligo. Mary Agnes, my grandmother, also reported that the family "subscribed" to the (in)famous "Milesian Tradition" (scoffed at by scholars) that the "O'Connors decended from Milesius (King of Spain) through his son, Heremon" during the early middle ages. What is amazing, however, is that my grandmother (in her 80's at the time) could recite this tradition, spelled correctly, just as it appears in Irish literature.
What is credible, however, is the scholarly report by Nicholas' Grandson, Larry "Bo" Connor, that Nicholas came with his family as a youngster "from New York" to settle in Lafayette, Indiana. Details regarding the family's emigration have not yet been discovered; however, we can calculate from the tradition that "he was 18 at the time of his military enlistment" on Feb. 15, 1867, that he was probably born in 1849; and subsequent documents confirm that he was born in Ireland! The names (and origins) of his parents have not been passed down except as above; however there is a tradition that his father's given name was also Nicholas, and census data confirms the tradition that both his parents were born in Ireland.
There is no tradition or research to indicate how many siblings were in young Nicholas' family; but it is known that he had sisters named Jane and Kate. Jane married Peter Noonan; and Kate Married Walter Clark. [Ellen married Tim Splann????] (This latter assertion needs confirmation)
MARGARET'S ROOTS:
| Click
here to import or review the website for Margaret's family.
(Patrick and Bridget Foley) |
 |
|
|
|
|
It is rather unusual for the military record
of enlisted soldiers of this era to be recorded in detail; but the circumstances
of Nicholas' early death from a service-connected illness, and the documentation
required to investigate his death and his widow's eligibility for a pension,
prompted the U.S. War department to command a full summary of Nicholas'
service which was forwarded to the pension authorities, and which has been
preserved.
CLICK HERE to see War department's
response and recital of Nicholas' military record. A typewritten
transcription of that record is as follows:
|
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE Washington, D.C. January 3rd, 1888 Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions Nicholas Connor enlisted on the 15th day of February, 1867 and was assigned to Company I, 22nd Regiment of U.S. Infantry. Was forwarded to Regiment from Newport Barracks, Kentucky February 26th, 1867. Detachment Roll February 28, 1867 reports him: "Present for duty" at Winona, Minnesota. Muster roll of Detachment April 30, 1867, reports him: "Present for duty" on board steamer Northern Belle, Mississippi River. (Detachment was at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, from March 1, 1867 to April 29, 1867.) Was assigned to and joined Company I May 23, 1867. Transferred to Company A, same regiment in May 1869 by consolidation of companies. Muster roll February 28, 1870 reports him: "Discharged February 15, 1870 by expiration of service at Fort Sully, Dakota Territory, as Private." Not reported sick on any muster roll during service. Stations of Company:
Report of the Surgeon General, U.S. Army herewith....
|
CLICK HERE to see the
complete history of the 22nd Infantry!
![Maggy's official application for Widow's pension for her 4 children. [Still pregnant with Nick Jr.]](MgyOcnrPnsnAp.JPG){kind=link}
