Michael P. O'Connor

Michael Patrick O'Connor (September 29, 1831 – April 26, 1881) was an American lawyer, politician and Confederate Civil War veteran who served one term as a U.S. representative from South Carolina from 1879 to 1881.

Early life Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, O'Connor attended the public schools and was graduated from St. John's College, Fordham, New York, in 1850. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1854 and commenced practice in Charleston, South Carolina.

Civil War During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate military as a lieutenant in the Lafayette Light Artillery.

Political career

He served as member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1858 to 1866. He argued against secession in the state house of representatives.

He served as delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1872 and 1876.

Congress He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1874 to the Forty-fourth and in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congresses, but was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress, serving from March 4, 1879 to March 3, 1881.

Death and burial O'Connor was buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina. He received credentials as a Member-elect to the Forty-seventh Congress, but his ability to take his seat was delayed, pending a contest of the election by Edmund W.M. Mackey. The inquiry subsequently resulted successfully for the contestant, although O’Connor had died in Charleston, South Carolina, April 26, 1881, before the resolution was announced. He was interred in St. Lawrence Cemetery.