Hon. John Conlon Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire From: Jody Goodson - kestrell@prodigy.net Surname: CONLON Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 1019 HON. JOHN CONLON, who for more than a quarter of a century was associated with the mercantile interests of Portsmouth, N. H., died at his home in this city, April 6, 1894. He was born in July, 1834, in the county of Antrim, Ireland, where he lived until eighteen years of age. Desiring to better his condition, he then emigrated to the United States, settling first in Albany, N. Y., where he worked for five years in Mc- Knight's brewery, having charge of different departments of the plant successively. Coming then to Portsmouth, Mr. Conlon accepted a posi- tion in the Frank Jones brewery, and for nine consecutive years had supervision of the scalding department. Being a capable workman he rcceived good wages and in course of time accumulated enough money to establish himself in business. In June, 1868, he opened a store at No.18 Penhallow street, stocking it with a complete line of groceries, provisions and ship chandlery, and there he carried on a successful business until his death-a period of nearly twenty-six years. He in- vested his capital judiciously, becoming interested in the Portsmouth Brewing Company, of which he was the third largest stockholder. For three years also he was its manager, and had much to do with placing it on a secure basis as an established manufacturing company. In busi- ness affairs he was keen and farsighted, evincing good judgment, and meeting with invariable success in his undertakings. His prosperity was the natural result of his mental sagacity and physical energy, the whole being balanced by an honesty of purpose that commanded respect. Politically Mr. Conlon was a sturdy adherent of the Democratic party, and for several years was a member of the county committee. He served his fellow townsmen in various official capacities, always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He served as alderman, assessor of taxes, and for one term as representa- tive to the state legislature. A short time previous to his death he be- came a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On July 3, 1861, Mr. Conlon was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Cornelius Mead. She was born in Fredericktown, N. S., but was educated in one of Boston's suburbs. Eight children were born of their union, three of whom are now living, namely: William L. Con- lon, now assistant cashier of the New Hampshire National Bank of Ports- mouth, also a member of the firm of W. L. Conlon & Co., real estate and insurance, Portsmouth, N. H.; Mrs. William E. Peirce, who lives at the old homestead on Middle street, and James H. Conlon, who is in business in Pittsburgh, Pa. ********************************************************************** * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIORto uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * *The USgenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.