Charles O'Neill Conroy

Charles O'Neill Conroy was a twentieth century Canadian solicitor of Irish descent.

Early life

He was born in Dublin in 1871 to James Gervé Conroy and Elizabeth O'Neill, who was the only daughter of Charles Henry (Cáthal Ainrí) Ó Néill, The O'Neill of Clannaboy. He was brought to St. John's, Newfoundland by his parents at 18 months, where his father became a teacher, lawyer, judge, founder of the Irish Catholic newspaper the "St. John's Advertiser" and advocate of formal political ties between Ireland and Newfoundland.

He was educated in St. John's and in London, where he rented a room from Mary, the widow of Dr. Weathers, who was the brother of William Weathers, Bishop of Amyclaw. After returning to Newfoundland, he proposed to Mary's daughter, also Mary, and she and her mother moved to St. John's. He educated William J. Higgins, who would later be his law partner, Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly and a judge.

Career

Conroy worked as a solicitor for the City of Saint John's, and while in that role he launched a writ against the government of Newfoundland to secure funding for the city during the Great Depression. He was Grand Knight of the Knights of Colombus and launched a libel lawsuit against the "orange" element, who were circulating lies regarding the nature of the organisation and a supposed oath. He was also Colonel of the Newfoundland Catholic Cadet Corps. Several pictures survive of him in the Newfoundland archives.

Personal life

An only son, he left a large family, with several sons and grandsons serving the executive of the Benevolent Irish Society.

O'Neill Conroy Family Tree - descendants of Elizabeth O'Neill

Family of Charles O'Neill Conroy. Ted (numerous) and Hugh have surviving male issue.