He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1830/31, perhaps to Patrick O'Connor and Elizabeth [unknown family name]. [sources: date: 5 (32 in 1863), 6 (32 in 1863), 12 (18 in 1850), 13 (25 in 1860). place: 5, 6, 12, 13. parents: 12]
In 1850, he may be the William OConner who was living in Washington Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Patrick and Elizabeth OConner (presumably his parents), and with Dennis and Elizabeth OConner (presumably his siblings). He was a farmer, and had attended school within the year. [source: 12]
On 25 March 1852, he married Mary Bigley. She was born in 1835/36, in Pennsylvania. They were married by Justice of the Peace John D Cunningham. They had two known children:
[sources: 9, 13, 14]
In 1860, he was living in Washington Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Mary and their children Isabel and Sarah E. He was a farmer, and owned $300 in real estate and $100 in personal property. [source: 13]
When he enlisted, he was a laborer. [source: 5]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 5, 6 (5'6")]
He was drafted. He enlisted and was mustered into service on 16 July 1863 in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry. He enlisted for three years. His service was credited to the 23rd congressional district. He was in company M. [sources: 1, 5, 6, 8]
He was wounded in action on 8 May 1864, near Spottsylvania Court House He had a severe gunshot fracture of the left humerus involving the head of the bone, which required excision of the head and resection of the shaft. [source: 9]
He died on 10 May 1864 of wounds received in action. He had last been paid on 29 February 1864. [sources: 1, 4 (Jun 64), 8, 9]
He was transferred from company M of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st Pennsylvania. On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G. On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company. He was then absent, as a private. He was a private in company K. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 [transferred as sick), 8, 9, 15]
Jacob Appel was also transferred with the men from the 62nd Pennsylvania although he had died.
At the end of June 1865, the regiment reported him absent in hospital. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 7, 15]
On 14 February 1865, his widow, Mary O'Connor, successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension, under the Act of 14 July 1862. On 18 November 1867, she applied for the additional benefits for minor children, under the Act of 25 July 1866. She was living in Venango County, Pennsylvania (post office Wesley, Pennsylvania). Her application was accepted on 3 March 1868, and she received $8 per month and $2 additional per month for each child less than sixteen years old, retroactive to 10 May 1864. [sources: 9, 10, 11]
In 1870, his widow, Mary Conner, was living in Pine Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. She was living with their children Isabella and Sarah E. [source: 14]
On 22 July 1872, Mary O'Connor died, in Venango Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. [source: 9]
On 24 August 1880, Isabella Davis and Sarah E Anderson applied for a minors' pension. THey were living in Hilliards, Butler County, Pennsylvania. On 15 April 1881, the Pension Office informed their attorney that they were not entitled to the pension due her at her death since they were then more than sixteen years old. [source: 9]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (William O'Connor)
2 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (William O. Connor)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (William O. Conner)
4 company K, second register of deaths (William Oconner)
5 company K, third descriptive roll (William O'Conner)
6 company K, fourth descriptive roll (William O'Conner)
7 monthly return, company K, June 1865 (Wm OConnor)
8 Page 243. Floyd G Hoenstine. Military services and genealogical records of soldiers of Blair County, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Telegraph Press, 1940. (William O'Connor)
9 abstract of widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate number 109,619, widow's class (Mary Bigley widow of William O'Connor)
10 pension index, by name (William O'Connor)
11 pension index, by unit (William O'Connor)
12 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Butler County, Washington, microfilm series M432, film 760, page 380 recto = [755] handwritten FamilySearch) (William OConner)
13 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Butler, Washington Township, microfilm series M653, film 1087, page 833 = 29 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Wm Connor)
14 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Mercer County, Pine Township, microfilm series M593, film 1373, page 420 verso = 12 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Mary Conner)
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William O'Conner)
| line | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Dwellings visited | 1096 | ||||
| Families visited | 1105 | ||||
| Name | Patrick OConner | Elizabeth " | William " | Dennis " | Elizabeth " |
| Age | 52 | 52 | 18 | 12 | 11 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Farmer | Farmer | |||
| Real estate owned | 1000 | ||||
| Birthplace | Ireland | Maryland | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | 1 | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Dwelling number | 202 | |||
| Family number | 201 | |||
| Name | Wm Connor | Mary " | Isabel " | Sarah E " |
| Age | 25 | 22 | 6 | 2 |
| Sex | m | f | f | f |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | Do [sc. Farmer] | House Keeper | ||
| Value of real estate owned | 300 | |||
| Value of personal estate | 100 | |||
| Place of birth | do [sc. Pa] | do | do | do |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Dwelling-house number | 84 | ||
| Family number | 78 | ||
| Name | Conner Mary | - Isabella | - Sarah E |
| Age | 32 | 16 | 14 |
| Sex | F | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Keeping House | ||
| Real estate value | |||
| Personal estate value | |||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pennsylvania] | " | " |
| Father foreign born | |||
| Mother foreign born | |||
| Birth month if born within year | |||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||
| Attended school past year | 1 | 1 | |
| Can't read | |||
| Can't write | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| NAME OF SOLDIER | O'Connor William | |||
| NAME OF DEPENDENT | Widow | O'Connor, Mary | ||
| Minor | ||||
| SERVICE | M. 62 Pa. Inf. | |||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | CERTIFICATE NO | STATE FROM WHICH FILED |
| Invalid | ||||
| 1865 Feb 14 | Widow | 82954 | 109619 | |
| Minor | ||||
| ATTORNEY | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
| DEAD NAME OF SOLDIER | O'Connor, William | |||
| SERVICE | Late rank Pvt | Co. M. 62 Reg't Pa. Inf | ||
| TERM OF SERVICE | Enlisted | Discharged | ||
| DATE OF FILING | CLASS | APPLICATION NO | LAW | CERTIFICATE NO. |
| Invalid | ||||
| 1865 Feb 14 | Widow | 82.954 | 109.619 | |
| Minor | ||||
| ADDITIONAL SERVICES | ||||
| REMARKS | ||||
| Died [blank] | at | |||