Lawrence A. O'Connell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 599-600 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				LAWRENCE A. O'CONNELL. 

	Lawrence A. O'Connell is a resident farmer of Orland township, 
Lake county, his home being on section 22. A considerable portion of 
the citizens of that county have come to this state from Wisconsin, 
among which number is Mr. O'Connell, who is a native of Sauk county, 
Wisconsin. He is a son of Thomas and Anna (Fox) O'Connell, of whom 
mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch 
of their son Edward. At the usual age Lawrence A. O'Connell became a 
pupil in the district schools and he also received ample training in 
farm work, assisting in the development of the old home place in 
Wisconsin until 1881, when he came to South Dakota, which was then 
under territorial rule. He worked on farms in Lake county and in 
association with his brother Edward operated his mother's homestead 
claim. Following his marriage he took charge of the old homestead and 
has since been actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He 
now owns four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, giving personal 
attention to a quarter section, while the remaining half section is 
rented. He has eighteen head of cattle upon his place and high grade 
horses and hogs. His farm is one of the finest in this part of the 
state. He erected one of the most beautiful homes in the county and he 
has his own lighting plant and all other modern conveniences and 
accessories, while the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate 
the work of the fields. In connection with his farming interests he is 
a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company, the Electric Railway 
Company and the Farmers Elevator and in business affairs displays sound 
judgment and unfaltering enterprise. 

	In December, 1901, Mr. O'Connell was married to Miss Mary 
Jenssen, a daughter of John Jenssen, of Iowa, and their children are: 
Thomas, Vera, Andrew, Lawrence, Matt, James, Robert and Mary. The 
religious faith of Mr. O'Connell is that of the Catholic church and he 
is identified with the Holy Name Society. His political endorsement is 
given to the men and measures of the democratic party, but he does not 
seek office for himself. In all connections he looks beyond the 
exigencies of the moment to the needs and opportunities of the future 
and therefore he stands for progress and improvement in public affairs 
and does al! in his power to bring about the upbuilding of the section 
of the state in which he lives. His labors have been carefully directed 
and success has come to him as the reward of persistent, earnest effort 
and sound judgment.