John Connor Biography


	This biography appears on page 1836 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN CONNOR, whose postoffice address is Orient, Faulk county, 
but whose finely improved ranch is located across the line in Hand 
county, was born in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, which was at 
that time still an integral portion of Virginia. He was reared under 
the sturdy discipline of the home farm and early became inured to the 
strenuous work involved in its cultivation, while his educational 
advantages were those afforded by the common schools of the locality 
and period. He continued to assist in the operation of the home farm 
until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he went to 
Lancaster county, Missouri, where he remained for the ensuing two 
years, at the expiration of which he purchased a team and wagon and 
started for northwestern Nebraska. Upon arriving in Nebraska City he 
turned to Sydney and thence to Coonsville, where he traded his team for 
a house and lot. He then made a trip to Omaha, Lincoln and other places 
in Nebraska, and then came down the Elkhorn river to Blair, and on to 
Missouri Valley, Iowa, from which place he returned to Coonsville and 
disposed of his interests there, and then took up his residence in 
Mondamin, Iowa. Later he purchased an outfit and started for Dakota, 
coming by way of Sioux City, to Sioux Falls, and making an overland 
trip of one hundred and fifty miles. In Sioux Falls he purchased a 
breaking plow, and then started on in search of a location. He finally 
filed on a homestead claim in McCook county, where he put up a sod 
house, in which he domiciled himself in true pioneer style. He held 
down the claim for four years and passed the severe winter of 1888-9 in 
his primitive dwelling. Mr. Connor finally sold his property and turned 
his attention to dealing in oxen, meeting with fair success. He then 
came to Hand county, where he took up a pre-emption claim. He found the 
land unsuited for grazing purposes and, accordingly removed east of his 
original claim, and purchased a reliquishment claim for fifty dollars, 
while he now controls about two sections of land, by right of lease. 
Upon his home place he has made excellent improvements, having good 
buildings and other facilities, and here he gives his attention to the 
raising of cattle as a principal enterprise. He has been signally 
prosperous since coming to Hand county, and is known as one of the 
influential citizens of the county. Mr. Conner was united in marriage 
to Miss Eliza Deal, and they have five children.