FRANCIS EDWARD CONNOR

Francis Edward Connor, a rancher of Cosumnes Township, was born in Lismore, County Waterford, Ireland, January 1, 1815, his parents being John and Kate (Geary) Connor, both now deceased, the father at the age of seventy-three and the mother at sixty-five. Grandfather David Connor was quite old at his death. The grandparents Geary were also well advanced in years when they died. One of Mr. Connor’s fondest recollections of his boyhood is having seen printed and manuscript books in the Irish language, the property of his uncle Edward Geary, who was not only an adept in the lore of his people, but was also a good English and classical scholar and made a business of preparing young men for the universities. Mr. Connor received an elementary education and was brought up on a farm. His people on both sides were of the class of small farmers. He came to America in 1847, and was for some years variously employed in the East, one of his most pleasant occupations being that of companion and nurse for sixteen months to a Mr. Halsey, of Providence, a wealthy gentleman who traveled much in the eastern section of the country. About 1850 he went South, and January 22, 1854, he left New Orleans for California, by the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco on Washington’s birthday. Had his share of the gains and losses of a miner’s life for seven years, and in 1861 bought the 420 acres which he still owns and occupies about two miles from Michigan Bar. F. E. Connor was married in New Orleans in August, 1853, to Miss Margaret Hassett, also a native of Ireland, born near Tralee, County Kerry, March 22, 1827, her parents being James and Catherine (Ready) Hassett. She came to America at the age of twenty, and to California about six months after her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Connor are the parents of the following named children: James Blennerhassett, born June 9, 1854, was married May 17, 1887, to Miss Margaret Roach, native of this county, daughter of Michael and Mary (Dalton) Roach; Kate, born May 6, 1856, now Mrs. John Weizel, of Sacramento, has one child, John Edward, born November 22, 1886; Arthur, born January 17, 1859; Richard Albert, December 6, 1863; Margaret Ellen, January 19, 1867.

Transcribed by Marla Fitzsimmons.

Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Page 468-469. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.