San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JAMES CONNER
One of the old-time families in the
Golden state is that represented by James Conner who for the past forty-eight
years has been identified with San Joaquin County along agricultural and stock
raising lines and he is today an authority on livestock. The Conner family has ever
borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have
invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. James Conner was born at Wilmington, Ohio,
May 24, 1843, and grew up on his father’s farm.
When President Lincoln issued his first call for men to bear arms in the
Civil War conflict, James Conner and two brothers, W. H. and his twin brother
Peter, enlisted in Company A, Forty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the first
battle they engaged in was the Battle of Shiloh. The three brothers passed through many
engagements until Peter was taken ill and was sent home, where he passed away
in 1863; the two remaining brothers fought to the finish and were honorably
discharged July 3, 1865. The Conner brothers
were in Sherman’s March-to-the-Sea and James Conner cast his first vote for
Lincoln while in camp in Tennessee in 1864.
Returning home from war, Mr. Conner removed to Illinois and located near
Knoxville, where he farmed for two years, then moved to Iowa, where he remained
until 1874 when he came to California and located at Lathrop, where he has
since continuously resided.
The marriage of Mr. Conner occurred
while residing in Iowa in 873 and united him with Miss Josephine Pollick, a native of Henry County, Iowa, and one year later
the young couple removed to California.
Seven children have been born to this union: Porter L., deceased; Clifford, deceased;
Delbert, deceased; Susie Mae, Mrs. Voyce of Los
Angeles, California; Adelaide, Mrs. Upton of Crows Landing, California; Charles
and Fred are deceased. Mr. Conner has
always been a staunch Republican and his reminiscences of his Civil War
experiences are calculated to increase the patriotism of his hearers. He is among the oldest settlers of San
Joaquin County, nearing the eighty-first milestone on life’s journey, and few
there are who have so long been identified with the development of this portion
of the state. He is now enjoying the
fruits of a life spent in usefulness and honorable toil and he has a very large
circle of friends in this portion of California.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
544. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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