O'Connor was born in Ireland in 1839 and came to Australia at the age of 2 with his parents. He was educated by the Christian Brothers and at Sydney College, after which he was apprenticed to a wood engraver and printer. Although he had a successful career as a printer, he was involved in a number of failed attempts at publishing newspers, which led to him being declared a bankrupt. In 1892, with the help of friends, O'Connor was appointed Chief Clerk on the Water and Sewerage Board at Newcastle, from which he retired in 1909. Throughout his life, O'Connor took an active role in supporting the Irish cause. He was President of the New South Wales Branch of the the Irish National League (1884), Treasurer of the Irish State Prisoners' Fund organised to assist the dependants of Fenian prisoners in Ireland, raised funds for famine victims and organised annual St Patrick's Day celebrations. He was a close friend of William and John Redmond. O'Connor died of bronchitis at his Mayfield home on 22 July 1913. He was survived by a married daughter. The Irish Parliamentary Party contributed to a monument over his grave in Sandgate Cemetery.
From the description of Scrapbook [manuscript]. 1878-1921. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 223017686
