Randolph County, West Virginia Biography of ROBERT EMMETT O'CONNOR This file was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the subject of this sketch. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 556-557 Randolph ROBERT EMMETT O'CONNOR. Bringing to his practice of the law a carefully trained intellect and natural inclina- tion, broadened by his experience as an officer during the World war, Capt. Robert Emmett O'Connor, of Elkins, is one of the ablest practitioners of the Randolph County bar, and a man widely known and universally respected. He is enthusiastic with reference to his profession and his community, and is rapidly becoming one of the forceful factors in the affairs of this part of West Virginia. Still in the very prime of vigorous manhood, he has a keen sense of civic responsibility and local pride, and is determined to see that every advantage is given the people of this region for further development. Captain O'Connor was born on his father's farm near Norton, Randolph County, March 22, 1888, and is of pure Irish lineage both paternally and maternally. His father, Michael O'Connor, was born in Randolph County, West Virginia, August 25, 1843, a son of Patrick and Bridget (McGuire) O'Connor. Patrick O'Connor was born near Killaraey, County Kerry, Ireland, from whence he immi- grated to America about 1839, landing at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. From that port he came to New York City, and thence to the South to work on the construction of the old Chesapeake and Potomac Canal. Subsequently he was similarly employed on the construction of the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike, and was so employed when he came to Randolph County, West Virginia, then a part of Virginia. Here he acquired land in Soaring Creek District, settled on it, and here he spent the remainder of his life. His death occurred October 22, 1900, at the remarkably old age of 104 years. Patrick O'Connor was the direct descendant of the old O'Connor clan of Ireland, of which King Roderick O'Connor was a member. King Roderick exercised supreme sover- eignty in Ireland until 1172, when he surrendered his scepter to King Henry II of England. Michael O'Connor, father of Captain O'Connor, was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Martha Hallett, bore him the following children: Mary, John, Barney and Charles. For his second wife Michael O'Connor married Mary Elizabeth Corley, and both of them survive and are living on a farm in Randolph County. They had the following children: Robert Emmett, William and James. Mrs. O'Connor was born in Randolph County, October 18, 1852, a daughter of William Fogg and Sarah Ann (Skid- more) Corley. William P. Corley was born in Randolph County about 1817. The progenitor of the Corley family in America was Minoah Corley, who came from County Cork, Ireland, to the United States and landed at Norfolk, Virginia. Growing to manhood amid the healthful rural surround- ings of farm life, Robert Emmett O'Connor first attended the local schools and later the Fairmont State Normal School. During this time he taught two terms of school during the vacation months. Matriculating in the Davis and Elkins College, he was graduated therefrom in 1914, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While still a youth he had decided upon a professional career, and his course thereafter was shaped with this end in view, and he con- sequently took his legal training after completing his classical course, entering the West Virginia University, from which he was graduated in 1917, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Under ordinary conditions he would, of course, have en- tered at once upon the practice of his profession, but 1917 was not a year of normalcy, and he, like millions of others in this country, became a soldier for service in the war in which his country had become a participant. Captain O'Connor was a volunteer, and upon his acceptance was sent to Port Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended the Officers' Training School. Subsequently he was sent to the Officers' Training School at Fortress Mon- roe, Virginia, and while there received his commission as first lieutenant, November 27, 1917, Coast Artillery Corps, and was placed on duty at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. He was assigned to Battery A, Sixty-first Coast Artillery Corps, with which he was ordered overseas in July, 1918. After his arrival in France he was assigned to the Thirty- third Brigade, First Army Corps, artillery, and in October, 1918. he wag commissioned captain and was assigned to the command of Battery D, Sixty-first Artillery, in which he saw service in the Meuse-Argonne sectors. In February, 1919. his battery was ordered back to the United States, but he was detached and assigned for special duty in the rents, reclamation and claims service, and so did not return to his own land until September 29, 1919. He received his honorable discharge October 16, 1919, with the rank of captain of Coast Artillery Corps, Organized Reserves, U. S. A. Captain O'Connor was a favorite of his men, for he possesses the quality of securing from others a whole-hearted co-operation, and can bring out the best characteristics of those under him. It is a pleasure and a duty to him to continue to maintain the relations formed during the war through the medium of the American Legion, and in 1922 he was elected commander of the H. W. Daniels Post, American Legion, at Elkins. In politics Captain O'Connor is a republican, and is zeal- ous in behalf of his party. He maintains membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Elkins Chamber of Commerce and the Elkins Rotary Club. On April 20, 1922, he was honored by being appointed United States commissioner at Elkins. He is unmarried. Upon his return to civilian life Captain O'Connor entered upon the practice of the profession for which he had pre- pared himself, and has built up an enviable connection. During the brief time he has been practicing at the bar of Randolph County, Captain O'Connor has gained a high reputation for ability and fidelity, and for his force of character and natural qualifications. A man of comprehen- sive knowledge along many lines, the originality and pro- found grasp of his intellect command respect. In every relation of life his actions reflect the light which comes from justness, generosity, truth, high sense of honor, proper respect for self, and a sensitive consideration for others, combined with true loyalty and flaming patriotism. With these salient characteristics he is bound to give a truly valuable service in his new office, and in earning new laurels will once more be accorded opportunities for working in behalf of his country.