BIO: Benjamin O'CONNOR, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 316-317.
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  BENJAMIN O'CONNOR, Mapleton Depot, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born 
at Amboy Centre, Oswego county, N.Y., February 10, 1831. He is the son 
of John and Julia (Goodman) O'Connor, the former a native of Ireland, 
the latter of New England, but a resident of Amboy Centre. John 
O'Connor was a brick mason and farmer. Their children were: Benjamin; 
and Martha, who was married, and died eight years ago, of cancer of the 
stomach, the same disease of which her mother also died.
  Mr. O'Connor's education was begun at Amboy Centre, from which place 
he was sent for further training, to Hamilton, Madison county, N.Y. 
After leaving school he worked in a woolen factory in Williamstown, 
Oswego county, N.Y., for about three years. He then turned his 
attention to engineering; first on steamboats and at stationary 
engines; afterwards was for three years in the army. For about twenty-
two months, Mr. O'Connor was a private in Company L, Ninth New York 
Heavy Artillery, under Captain McClair first, and afterwards Capt. S. 
A. Howell. He continued to be a private from choice, declining 
promotion when it was offered. Later, Mr. O'Connor embarked in 
mercantile business, which he has carried on in Mapleton since 1884. He 
is a Democrat, and rather active in political affairs. He has served on 
the school board. Mr. O'Connor belongs to the I.O.O.F., in the State of 
New York. He is Post Master of the Masonic Lodge at Mapleton.
  The wife of Benjamin O'Connor is Martha, daughter of Elmer and 
Elizabeth (Farr) Thayer. Mr. Thayer is a native of Vermont, and is the 
owner of one-fifth interest ($25,000), in the Keystone Land Company, 
Isaac Ettleberger, president. Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor have four children: 
Frank, born in 1854, married Caroline Henderson, and resides at Mill 
Creek, Huntingdon county; Dewitt, died aged seventeen; William, now in 
the store with his father, married Minnie Henderson, of Mapleton Depot; 
and Charles, who died in infancy. Mr. O'Connor is a member and trustee 
of the Methodist Episcopal church.