| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Connelly, Lawrence Family |
| Title: | Lawrence Connelly Family Papers |
| Dates: | 1883-1989 |
| Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Lawrence Connelly emigrated from Newry, County Down, Ireland, to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1852. He was later joined in Cleveland by his wife, Ann, and their children. The family owned a farm in the vicinity of Ansel Rd. in Cleveland. Their son, James Connelly, served 2 terms on Cleveland City Council, 1885-1889, and was a successful public contractor and president of the Connelly Construction Co. A great-grandson of Lawrence Connelly, Thomas J. Connelly, became captain of the Bethlehem Steel vessel, Stewart J. Cort. Another descendant, Edward T. Butler III, was active in the leadership of Catholic Charities, the Cleveland Bar Association, and on the boards of St. Anthony's Home for Boys and the United Appeal Campaign. Another descendant is the author Robert Sam Anson. The collection consists of a six-generation genealogical chart, reminiscences given by women of the family throughout the century, a playscript re-creation of "The Tuesday Study Club," and copies of newspaper clippings about various members of the family and miscellaneous articles of Irish interest. |
| MS Number | MS 4822 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Lawrence Connelly settled in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1852, having arrived from Newry, County Down, Ireland. He worked there as a linen merchant, and is believed to have owned property. He was later joined here by his wife, Ann (nee Connelly), and their children, Catherine, Ann, William, James, John, and Margaret. The family later purchased a farm in Cleveland in the vicinity of Ansel Road. Their son James Connelly served two terms on Cleveland City Council, 1885-1889, and was a successful public contractor and president of the Connelly Construction Company, one of the largest in the country at that time. A great-grandson, Thomas J. Connelly, became captain of the Bethlehem Steel vessel, Stewart J. Cort, the largest vessel in the Great Lakes at that time. He was also captain of the Edward Y. Townsend, the sister ship of the Daniel Morrell, which was sailing within twenty miles of the Townsend when it broke up and sank in Lake Huron in 1966.
Another descendant, Edward T. Butler III, was active in the leadership of the Catholic Charities and the Cleveland Bar Association. He was also a board member of St. Anthony's Home for Boys, and for over thirty years, a board member of the United Appeal Campaign.
Robert Sam Anson, also a descendant, authored McGovern, They've Killed the President, and Gone Crazy and Back, as well as four other books.
The Lawrence Connelly Family Papers, 1852-1986, consist of a six-generation family tree chart; reminiscences given by women of the family throughout the century; a playscript re-creation of "The Tuesday Study Club," an early twentieth century women's intellectual and social group; and copies of newspaper clippings about various members of the family and miscellaneous articles of Irish interest.
The collection is of value to researchers interested in the Irish American experience, women's groups, women's employment, and customs in the early twentieth century, including Christmas customs. The collection contains biographical information on Cleveland councilman James Connelly, Captain Thomas J. Connelly, Edward T. Butler III, and author Robert Anson.
None.
Related MaterialResearchers should also consult MS 4817 Daniel T. Shehan Family Papers and Dwight Boyer, Ships and Men of the Great Lakes.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4822 Lawrence Connelly Family Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Roger Brennan, 1993
Processed by Lonnie McCauley in 2000
Lawrence Connelly Family Papers 1883-1989 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Genealogy chart undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Newspaper clippings, photocopies 1966-1982 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Playscript, photocopy, "Tuesday Study Club," re-creation of original 1913-1920 group 1966 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Reminiscences, photocopies 1883-1904 1982 1988-1989 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Reminiscences, photocopies 1989 undated | |||||||||