Library of Congress

CONNESS, John, a Senator from California; born in Abbey, County Galway, Ireland, September 22, 1821; immigrated to the United States in 1833; learned the art of pianoforte making in New York; moved to California in 1849 and engaged in mining and mercantile pursuits; member, State assembly 1853-1854, 1860-1861; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of California in 1861; elected as a Douglas Democrat to the United States Senate, afterwards changed to a Union Republican, and served from March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1869; chairman, Committee on Mining (Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses); moved to Boston, Mass., in 1869; retired from active business pursuits; died in Jamaica Plain, Mass., January 10, 1909; interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester, Mass.