Conneryt
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
THOMAS CONNERY resides in the
north suburbs of Wilbur, where he has the valuable estate of three-fourths
of a section. He is considered as one of the most substantial men
of the vicinity and has certainly merited the approval and commendation
of his fellows, both on account of the ability shown in achieving success
in financial ventures as well as in manifestation of uprightness and unswerving
integrity, a characteristic of his walk. Mr. Connery has done much
railroad work and invariably he has received especial comment and approval
from the officials on account of his excellent and thorough work.
His is the motto, "What is worth doing is worth well doing."
Thomas Connery was born in Ogdensburg, New
York, the son of Michael and Catherine (Meagher) Connery, natives of the
good old Emerald Isle, whence they sought a home in the new world.
The date when Mr. Connery first saw the light was May 14, 1854, and the
good inheritance of the true Irish blood was his legacy, which has brought
him many a success in his varied career. Our subject received his
education in the schools of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and succeeding those
days, he began his life's work in the capacity of farmer. Then he
took up railroad work, and to his credit it may be said that although he
has wrought in this capacity in many states of the union and on many roads
and in many different departments, still he has never held a position in
which he did not receive especial praise from the officials in charge.
In the Centennial year, 1876, Mr. Connery came first to what was to be
the Evergreen State, but his stay at that time was not long. He returned
to his work in other parts of the country and again in 1882, he came to
Washington. In 1893 he purchased a quarter section of land just outside
of Wilbur and settled to build a home. He has succeeded admirably
and now has the fine estate mentioned above. In addition to this,
Mr. Connery has property in Tacoma, Port Angeles, Puget City, and in other
localities. He has seen much of the world and has been wise in his
investments in various sections.
In 1889, at Tacoma, Mr. Connery married Miss
Nora, daughter of Darby and Ellen (Quinn) O'Leary, natives of Ireland,
and both deceased. Mr. Connery has two brothers, Patrick and John.
On Mr. Connery's place is located the only plant for the manufacture of
brick in the surrounding country. There is a large deposit of fire
and tile clay on his farm, which is supposed to be the only bed in the
Big Bend country.
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