O'CONNELL, CORNELIUS - Springfield is one of the most delightful residence communities within the confines of the whole Commonwealth. There are gathered congenial people, bound together by civic pride and common interests, who, working in concert, produce conditions that are almost ideal. For this and other cogent reasons, many men locate in the city when they have retired from the activities of a business career and among those who have shown such good taste and common sense, is Cornelius O'Connell, a retired baker, whose residence is at No. 1511 East Jefferson Street. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Clare, a son of Patrick and Ellen (Killcain) O'Connell, both of whom spent their lives in Ireland, where they died.

After a boyhood spent in his native place, Mr. O'Connell learned the baker trade in Milltown, Ireland, and in 1857, wishing to take advantage of the opportunities offered in America, he came here landing in New York City, whence he proceeded direct to Bloomington, Ill. There for a year he found employment at his trade, but left that city for Jacksonville, which continued his home for one year more, when he settled in Springfield. Until 1900 he worked as a baker, then retired, feeling that he had done his full duty. During the Civil War, like so many of his compatriots, Mr. O'Connell served his adopted country, giving much appreciated service as government cook at Camp Butler. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, belonging to St. Mary's Church.

In May, 1864, Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage with Ellen Long, the ceremony being performed in Springfield. Mrs. O'Connell was born in Tipperary, Ireland, where she lost both parents, following which she came to America with an aunt. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell: John and Cornelius, both of whom live in St. Louis; Charles lives in Springfield; Mary is the wife of Samuel bloom and lives in Springfield; Susan lives in Chicago; Jennie lives at home and is in the employ of the Illinois Watch Company; and Theresa is the wife of Harry Harbold, of Chicago, who is in the employ of Swift & Company. There are twelve grandchildren in the family, of whom Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell are exceedingly proud. Mr. O'Connell is one of the substantial, reliable men of his community. He remembers well the earlier days of the city, and, having come to it when Lincoln and Douglas were something more than mere names, he recalls these distinguished men very well, and relates many interesting stories of them and their associates.