Richard E. Connell

Richard Edward Connell Sr. (November 6, 1857 – October 30, 1912) was an American newspaperman and politician who served one term as a United States representative from New York from March 4, 1911, until his death on October 30, 1912.

Early life Richard Edward Connell was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, to Richard and Ann Connell ( Phelan), who had immigrated to New York from Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1846. Connell, a Catholic, attended St. Peter's parochial school and the public schools of Poughkeepsie until he was 13 years old when he dropped out and entered the workforce to support his siblings and widowed mother. He worked various odd jobs including for the Poughkeepsie and Eastern Railway and Hudson River State Hospital. He was eventually hired as a reporter for the Poughkeepsie News-Press before rising to managing editor.

Political career Connell first rose to local political prominence in 1884 when he began giving speeches in support of presidential candidate Grover Cleveland.

Between his campaigns, Connell served as police commissioner of Poughkeepsie for three years