Henry Conner

Henry Conner (April 1, 1837June 7, 1918) was an American hotelier, restaurateur, and politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Vernon and counties during the 1891 and 1893 sessions. Earlier, he served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, and lost his right leg due to wounds. His last name was sometimes spelled Connor. Early life Conner was born on April 1, 1837, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His father died shortly after he was born, his mother remarried and he was raised at the home of his step-father until he was about fourteen years old, receiving a liberal education. At age 14, he went to work a team of mules on the Erie Canal, but returned home after three years and apprenticed as a paper-strainer under his step-father, who then had an extensive business in that industry. A few years later, however, his step-father was ruined by the Panic of 1857, and Henry went to work for the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. In 1858, he cast his first vote for Republican Alexander Henry, in his first campaign for mayor of Philadelphia. After winning the race, Mayor Henry appointed Conner as a fireman in the city's water department.