O'Connor, (Chief) Thomas

Submitted by Mike Miller

Chief Thomas O'Connor. There is nothing which adds so much to the assurance and security of the people of a town or city as an active, well-trained, vigilant and excellently equipped fire department. The history of the measures for the prevention of fires in New Orleans is an interesting one, and the handy "blue bucket" and the nimble feet of such as would help, composed the equipments [sic] of the early residents. The members of the New Orleans fire department at the present time are justly recognized as well trained and useful men, and the credit is due in a large measure to the excellent management and judgment of Chief Thomas O'Connor.

A resident of the city that gave him birth, he has ever had her interests at heart, and his inexhaustible supply of brain and brawn have been brought into requisition in her service. His birth occurred on the 29th of June, 1839, his father being Lawrence O'Connor, who was born in County Westmeath, Ireland. When a lad he went to Scotland to learn the architect and builder's trade, and after becoming sufficiently skilled in both arts he came to the United States and located in the city of "Brotherly love," where a brother was engaged in business. During the two years, from 1833 to 1835, that he remained in Philadelphia he filled extensive contracts, but at the end of that time went to Mobile, Ala., at which place he had the contract to erect the gas works. In 1836 he established himself in New Orleans, his place of business being the present site of the Jesuit church, and soon built up a reputation second to none in the city. He became quite wealthy and at his death, which occurred in 1846, at the age of forty-one years, he left a handsome property for the support of his family. In stature he was six feet tall, well and compactly built, and was considered a fine specimen of physical manhood. It is said by those who knew him that Chief Thomas O'Connor greatly resembles his father. Lawrence O'Connor was married to Miss Elizabeth Stoup, who died in 1851 at the age of forty years, having borne her husband four sons: James, John, Thomas and Joseph.

The two eldest sons were practical mechanics and are both deceased. Joseph is a blacksmith in Leeds foundry. In the city schools of New Orleans Thomas O'Connor obtained a fair education, his instructor being Major Blanchard. At the age of thirteen years he left school to become an apprentice under Thomas Beard, a well-known pattern maker and carpenter, but at the end of one year left him to attach himself to a blacksmith as an apprentice. He learned all the branches of this business and in 1861 became an employe [sic] at Leed's foundry, where all the heavy forging was done in the building of ironsides, ironclads and monitors. Subsequently he became superintendent of the blacksmith's department of the D. C. McCaus foundry, where he was usefully employed until 1869. He then became chief of the New Orleans fire department and as such has since continued. His efficiency in this responsible position was acknowledged many years ago, and through his instrumentality the most efficient volunteer fire department in the world was organized. After it became a paid department it became one of the most competent in the United States.

Mr. O'Connor has made it a point to visit all the best fire departments in the country, and the knowledge gained in this way, together with his own practical and intelligent views, has resulted in the magnificent New Orleans system, which has become noted throughout the United States. At the time of his election in 1869 the chief, engineer and other officers were elected annually, but in 1871 the law was changed and they were elected for a term of five years, which gave the officers much greater independence and authority in the discharge of their duties. This change was found very beneficial, and instead of almost the entire term of office being devoted to the winning of public favor it enabled the chief to apply many improvements in the different departments which have greatly facilitated and lightened their labors. The water facilities were insufficient at the time of his election, as is still the case, owing to the embarrassed financial condition of the city.

Mr. O'Connor improved a system of street wells to connect with the water mains, thirty-seven of which are now in working order. In doing this he succeeded in saving the city a large amount of money. Being of a mechanical turn of mind much of his time has been devoted to the care and improvement of the machinery of the department, which is kept in first-class working order. From devotion and strict attention to duty, and being familiar with the management of men, he became a favorite among his subordinates, as his twenty-three years in office testified. In framing the ordinance for the paid fire department, members of the special committee of the city council charged with that duty recognized the efficiency of Mr. O'Connor and placed his name in the ordinance as chief. This placed the entire city, including Carrolton and Algiers, under his control. He has since been very diligent in instructing and perfecting his corps of men in the drills established, and his department at present, although the number of men is somewhat limited, is in a state of perfect discipline. Recognizing his superior qualifications for the office, the fire commissioners of the city have co-operated with him in the advancement and improvement of the department, which fact has greatly encouraged him. August 13, 1857, he led to the altar Miss Ellen Fitsimons, and to their union ten children were born, of whom seven sons and two daughters survive. James and John operate a foundry at 122 Julia street; Charles D. and George W. are engaged in wagon making; William W. and Walter S. are apprenticed to blacksmiths, and John is in school. Jennie is the wife of William B. Alverson, who is the general manager of Frank Johnson's undertaking establishment, and Elvina A. is attending school at the Markey Pickard institute. Chief O'Connor's sons who are in business were all trained in the mechanical arts by their father. He is a member of the Continental guards, and for eight years has been first lieutenant. He is a member of the Young Men's Gymnastic club, the Metropolitan Social club and the Crescent Democratic club. He has been connected with many other social organizations, but lack of time has caused him to withdraw from them. He belongs to Union lodge, No. 172, of the A. F. & A. M., and the H of H. He is president of the Firemen's Homestead association and has been a member of the National association of Fire Engineers since 1874, which body meets annually in some one of the cities of the United States for the interchange of ideas and the discussion of fire matters generally. In 1884 he was president of the association, which year the meeting was held in Chicago, Ill. New Orleans is to be congratulated in having a fire chief who has few equals and no superiors.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 288-289. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.