Thomas W. Connolley
Thomas W. Connolley of Manchester, Ohio, was born near Bradyville, Ohio. September 21, 1839. His parents were Perry T. and Nancy (Burbage) Connolley. His mother was a daughter of Eleven and Sarah Burbage. Perry T. Connolley, his father, was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, February 7, 1810. His mother was born near Bradyville, Ohio, August 26, 1822. His grandfather Burbage came from Maryland and settled near Bradyville.
Our subject was educated in the Public schools of Manchester under William L. McCalla, the celebrated school teacher. His first school days were spent at the old Cropper schoolhouse in Sprigg Township and at the Horton Chapel in Bradyville. He entered the army on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at Camp Hamer, in West Union, and served as a member of Company F, 70th O. V. I., until discharged August 14, 1865. He was present and took part in the following battles: Shiloh, Russell House, Corinth, Holly Springs, Memphis, Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kenesaw, July 22, 1864, near Atlanta; July 28. 1864, near Atlanta; Jonesboro, Statesboro, Lovejoy Station, Averysboro, Trenton, Atlanta, Bentonville, Columbia and Fort McAlister. He was in Sherman's March to the Sea and in the march to Washington, D. C. At the battle of Mississippi, he saved two wounded soldiers of the 90th Illinois from death by exposure to the chilly atmosphere. For twenty-five years past, he has held the offices of Marshal, Deputy Marshal and Constable of Manchester. In April, 1897, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Manchester Township, which office he still holds. He has been a Notary Public for sixteen years. In politics, he is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was a member of the County Republican Executive Committee for six years, and was a delegate to the Republican State Convention three times.
His religious views are expressed in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member at Manchester, and he has been connected with the Sunday School of that church for fifty years. He has been an active and earnest member of the Grand Army of the Republic since 1867, and has held the following official positions in said organization: Adjutant of the Post, Chaplain, Sergeant, Major Post Commander, Post Commander Inspector, Installing Officer, Delegate, Commander of Battalion. He was a member of the Department Staff for five years and a member of the National Staff for three years. He was a member of the National Committee in 1892. He was Chairman of the Battle of Shiloh Association at Indianapolis one year.
On June 4, 1872, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Ramsey, by Rev. J. R. Gibson. They have one daughter, Cora E. Connolley. Our subject enjoys the enviable distinction of having saved four people from drowning. He is life Secretary of the 70th O. V. I. Regimental Association, and is always found in the front rank in any G. A. R. Reunion, and in all patriotic work.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900