U.S. Senator 1856 to 1857. The first Irish-born Catholic mayor of Milwaukee, and the first to be elected four times. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, the son of Laurence and Margaret(Swift)O'Neill. He immigrated to NY in 1820, and came to Milwaukee 33 years later; opened a clothing store; coal store and a wholesale grocery. In 1852 he was elected Capt. of the Union Guards; then elected Lt. Col. of the First Regiment of the Wi State Militia. He was an Assemblyman in 1854-55. During his incumbency a fire alarm system, the waterworks of which he was president, and sewerage system were developed. He was president of the board of managers for 10 years of the WI State Reform School for Boys at Waukesha, which he was instrumental in establishing. Served 9 years on the Milwaukee School Board, and 4 years as president; was a trustee of St. Roses's Orphan Asylum. Was elected president of the Bank of Commerce, and was its president until his death. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 70. He was survived by his daughter, Maria H. (John C.) Keefe. Mrs. O'Neill (Clarissa A.) had died Jan. 23, 1890 about 2 months before her husband. She was born at Arlington, Benington County, Vermont, a granddaughter of Capt. Thomas McLaghlin of Bedford, New Hampshire, an officer in the Revolutionary War.
U.S. Senator 1856 to 1857. The first Irish-born Catholic mayor of Milwaukee, and the first to be elected four times. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, the son of Laurence and Margaret(Swift)O'Neill. He immigrated to NY in 1820, and came to Milwaukee 33 years later; opened a clothing store; coal store and a wholesale grocery. In 1852 he was elected Capt. of the Union Guards; then elected Lt. Col. of the First Regiment of the Wi State Militia. He was an Assemblyman in 1854-55. During his incumbency a fire alarm system, the waterworks of which he was president, and sewerage system were developed. He was president of the board of managers for 10 years of the WI State Reform School for Boys at Waukesha, which he was instrumental in establishing. Served 9 years on the Milwaukee School Board, and 4 years as president; was a trustee of St. Roses's Orphan Asylum. Was elected president of the Bank of Commerce, and was its president until his death. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 70. He was survived by his daughter, Maria H. (John C.) Keefe. Mrs. O'Neill (Clarissa A.) had died Jan. 23, 1890 about 2 months before her husband. She was born at Arlington, Benington County, Vermont, a granddaughter of Capt. Thomas McLaghlin of Bedford, New Hampshire, an officer in the Revolutionary War.
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