James E. O'Connell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 153-154 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JAMES E. O'CONNELL.  

	James E. O'Connell is serving the fifth term as mayor of Ramona, 
which is indicative of the fact that he is a popular citizen and one 
devoted to the welfare and best interests of the city. He is also a 
leading business man, dealing in farm implements and harness, and has 
other commercial and industrial connections. It is characteristic of 
him that what he undertakes he accomplishes, brooking no obstacles that 
can be overcome by persistent and earnest effort. His birth occurred in 
Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 6th of October, 1864, his parents 
being James and Mary (Merrick) O'Connell. The father was a farmer by 
occupation and followed that pursuit for many years in Minnesota, but 
in 1878 established his home upon the western frontier by a removal to 
Lake county, South Dakota, where in May he homesteaded the southwest 
quarter of section 10, township 107, range 53. With characteristic 
energy he began the development and improvement of his claim and 
thereon resided until his life's labors were ended in death on the 7th 
of May, 1885. His wife died June 10, 1884.  

	At the usual age James E. O'Connell became a pupil in the public 
schools of his native county and when he had mastered the lessons 
therein taught he concentrated his efforts upon farm work, which he 
performed under the guidance of his father. In 1884 at the age of 
twenty he came to South Dakota, where he worked by the month for 
several years. In 1892 he began farming on his own account on the old 
homestead and tree claim which his father had secured. The old 
homestead is now in possession of his brother D. J. O'Connell. For 
seven years James E. O'Connell carried on general agricultural pursuits 
and removed to Ramona in the spring of 1899, at which time he joined 
his brother D. J. O'Connell in the farm implement business. They began 
in a modest way, but gradually developed their trade, winning a growing 
business through honorable methods, unfaltering enterprise and 
unabating energy. They have increased their stock to include the sale 
of harness and thus they are able to meet many of the demands of the 
farmer for equipment for operating his place. Mr. O'Connell is also a 
stockholder in the Electric Light Company, the Woodmen Opera House 
Company and the Elevator Company. His life has been a busy one. He has 
never been afraid of work and the close application and indefatigable 
industry which are indispensable elements of success are recognized as 
strong traits in his make-up.  

	Mr. O'Connell has been married twice. In 1886 he wedded Miss 
Maggie Lawless, who passed away in 1900, and in 1902 he chose for his 
second wife Miss Margaret Sheehan. All of his three children died in 
infancy. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell is that of the 
Catholic church and he belongs to Sioux City Council of the Knights of 
Columbus. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Modern 
Brotherhood of America. When leisure permits he enjoys an auto trip or 
a fishing trip, but he never allows recreation to interfere with his 
business or official duties. He is a stalwart champion of the 
republican party and its principles and upon its ticket has been 
elected to a number of offices. He served for several years as city 
treasurer of Ramona and for the fifth time is directing the municipal 
interests as chief executive. He studies thoroughly the conditions that 
produce modern city problems and no one questions the fact that he is 
working intelligently and disinterestedly for the welfare and benefit 
of tile city in which he makes his home.