Family background
Jeremiah Michael O’Connell was born in County Kerry, Ireland in c1842. He lived at 25 Watkin Street, Newtown. He was married to Helen Mary O’Connell when he died aged 47 on 31 August 1889, leaving two children (including at least one son).
Occupation & interests
Jeremiah O’Connell was a publican of the Botany View Hotel on the Cooks River Road from 1885.
Community activity
He was a supporter of the formation of the Brickmakers Union, letting them use a room in Botany View for their meetings and donating money towards their sports days. He was secretary of the Working Men’s Defence Association in the 1870s.
Local government service
Jeremiah Michael O’Connell was elected to Newtown Council in September 1886 for the new ward of Camden. He died in office in 1889.
References
‘Working Men’s Defence Association’, Australian Town and Country Journal, 20 October 1877, p. 13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70609698
‘Licensing Court’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 July 1885, p. 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28362844
‘The Newtown and Cook’s River-Road’, Evening News, 3 August 1885, p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111013858
‘Metropolitan District Court’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December 1888, p. 8. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13708014
‘Family Notices’, Freeman’s Journal, 7 September 1889, p. p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115378030
‘Family Notices’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 September 1889, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13740348
‘Good Old Parramatta’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruit growers Advocate, 19 November 1902, p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86201275