Edward L. O'Connor
Edward O'Connor | |
|---|---|
| 19th Attorney General of Iowa | |
| In office January 3, 1933[1] – January 1, 1937 | |
| Governor | Dan W. Turner Clyde L. Herring |
| Preceded by | John Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | John H. Mitchell |
| Johnson County Attorney | |
| In office January 1, 1923[2] – January 1, 1927[3] | |
| Succeeded by | C. B. Russell[3] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1891 |
| Died | June 21, 1973 (aged 82) |
| Party | Democrat |
| Spouse |
Frances Florence Freeman
(m. 1917; died 1970) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Iowa, (BA,LLB,JD) |
| Military service | |
| Years of service | 1917-1919 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Edward Louis O'Connor (February 1, 1891 – June 21, 1973) was the Attorney General of Iowa from 1933 to 1937.[5]
Early life and Education
O'Connor was born in Fremont to Patrick O'Connor and Nora (Cranly) O'Connor.[5] O'Connor went to Lone Tree high school.[5] Then attended University of Iowa, where he received his Bachelor's in education in 1913, Bachelor of Laws in 1920 and Juris Doctor in 1924.[4][5]
From 1913 to 1915, he served as superintendent of the schools in Burt, Iowa.[4]
Career
He was admitted to the bar in 1920 and practiced in Iowa City from 1920 to 1933.[5] He served as Johnson County Attorney from 1923 to 1927. He was sworn in on January 1, 1923 as the Johnson County Attorney.[2] He later became the president of the Johnson County Bar Association in 1932.[5]
1932 Election
On June 6, 1932, Mitchell ran in the primary election for Attorney General of Iowa, winning with 52,684 votes.[6] On November 8, 1932, Mitchell won the general election, winning with 475,546 votes.[7]
1934 Election
On June 4, 1934, he ran in the primary election and won with 110,758 votes.[8] On November 6, 1934, he ran in the general election and won re-election with 425,391 votes.[9]
Indictment
On July 3, 1935, O'Connor, along with his Assistant Attorney General, Walter Maley, and 16 others were indicted for charges of corruption, grafting and running a slot machine gambling syndicate.[10] He was later acquitted.[11]
Supreme Court Elections
In 1952, O'Connor ran for a seat on the Iowa Supreme Court, but lost with 447,176 votes compared to the winner's 702,090 votes.[12] He ran again in 1960, losing with 539,126 votes compared to the winner's 651,571 votes.[13]
World War I
He served from May 17, 1917, to February 9, 1919, in World War I, serving as a First Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.[5]
Personal life
He married Frances Florence Freeman on November 7, 1917.[4][5] They had 4 children, Edward L. Jr., Martin, Katherine and Marian.[5]
Frances died on March 24, 1970, in Tipton, Iowa.[14] O'Connor died on June 21, 1973, in Tipton.[4]
References
- ^ "Democrats Take Control Over Iowa State Gov't". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. January 3, 1933. p. 2. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ a b "Leeper Declares Charge of Murder Cannot Be Proved". The Daily Times. January 2, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ a b "Public Officials Will Outline Duties of Good Citizens At Next Meeting of Chamber of Commerce". Iowa City Press-Citizen. January 6, 1927. p. 5. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Edward L. O'Connor obituary". Iowa City Press-Citizen. June 22, 1973. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Edward L. O'Connor" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. p. 105. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "1932 Primary Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. pp. 154–155. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "1932 General Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. pp. 252–253. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "1934 Primary Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. pp. 208–209. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "1934 Primary Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. pp. 318–319. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Attorney General, Assistant Charged with Conspiracy by Sioux City Grand Jury Today". Iowa City Press-Citizen. July 3, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Court Studies 'Graft' Appeals". The Des Moines Register. April 8, 1936. p. 15. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "1952 General Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. p. 322-323. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "1960 General Election" (PDF). Iowa Official Register. p. 368-369. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Mrs. Edward L. O'Connor obituary". Iowa City Press-Citizen. March 24, 1970. Retrieved November 7, 2025.