Nevada Genealogy Trails Washoe County Daniel W. O'Conner Biography

DANIEL W. O'CONNOR.
Men who have been the founders of the state of Nevada and who have borne their full share in pioneer development and later advancement are deserving of the gratitude of all the citizens to this commonwealth. Mr. O'Connor is numbered among the early settlers and has been a resident of Nevada since 1862. He is the builder and owner of the O'Connor block at Reno, and in this way has contributed to the improvement of the city.

A native son of Canada, his birth occurred in Ontario on the 16th of November, 1837, and he is of Irish lineage. He was educated in his native province, and in 1860 came to the United States, then a young man of about twenty-three years. He made his way to California by the isthmus route and later engaged in mining in Grass Valley, settling in Nevada county. He was not very fortunate, however, in his mining experiences there, barely making a living, and in 1862 be made his way to Virginia City because of the discovery of gold there. In that place he worked with a pick and shovel in the mines for two' years and on the expiration of that period he removed to Glendale, where he purchased a ranch of four hundred acres. This he developed from sage brush and annually raised a large crop which brought as high as one hundred and sixty dollars per acre. Clearing his farm he placed it under a high state of cultivation, erected thereon good buildings and eventually sold the property at an excellent price. In 1889 he came to Reno, to reside. Going to Texas, he bought cattle, but the drought that year was severe and he lost money on the venture. Again he came to Reno. and in 1898 he built the O'Connor block, a two-story brick structure, seventy by sixty-five feet, with a very neat and artistic front. This is rented for store and office purposes and is a credit to the city. Mr. O'Connor was among the first to show his faith in Reno by the building of valuable property, and since that time many fine structures have been erected here. He also owns a good residence in that city.

His political support was given to the Republican party until it announced its platform in favor of the gold standard. He has since been identified with the silver movement in this state, believing in the free coinage of the white metal. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He believes in following the Golden Rule, and has exemplified that high principle in all of his dealings with his fellow-men. He is justly regarded as one of the reliable residents of Reno.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904
Contributed by Barbara Z.